As he seeks for a new mandate as dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) for another three years, Dr. Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr. presented his plans and programs for October 2021 to September 2024 last 12 July.

Serving as the guiding principle for his comprehensive plans and programs was the word, “WORLD” which stands for: World class agriculture and food science college Offering sustainable degree programs and Relevant services for its stakeholders using Latest trends, innovation, and principles to be Drivers of change for the environment and society. Dean Agbisit believes that the guiding principles will lead to a future proofed CAFS for a future proofed UPLB. These aspirations, he said, will be achieved only with the help of the CAFS team composed of the different units and headed by its directors and station managers as has been proven in the past three years wherein everyone did their role in helping the College. Hence, the battle cry “We are One College, One Family with One Goal towards a Sustainable Food System.”

If given a new mandate, Dean Agbisit is bent on continuing to pursue initiatives in the different consolidated programs which will contribute to the guiding principles. Recognizing that CAFS is a system and every part makes up the whole, his team will continue to support the initiative of academic and research institutions and give them an enabling environment so that all their mandates can be fulfilled.

One of the major plans Dean Agbisit presented is to incorporate the food systems approach mindset to contribute in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this, the CAFS team shall familiarize themselves with the digital science discipline to better understand how CAFS can use it in answering complex challenges in the agriculture and food systems. The Futures Thinking Paradigm is also in his list to make CAFS more dynamic, resilient, and relevant. 

The present initiatives under his leadership shall also be continued. These include the CAFSama Tayo Program to look at the mental health of students; increase the allotted funds for the College of Agriculture Emergency Loan Fund (CAFEL) to widen the option for the emergency loan available for students; the AgriCOOLture program which aims to change the notion that agriculture equates poverty; and the Careers in Agriculture are Rewarding, Extensive, and Sophisticated (CARES) sub-program wherein series of materials for recruitment will be produced. 

Equally important human resource of CAFS are the faculty and staff. Hence the CAFS Pamilya Tayo Program was established to take care of their welfare and mental health as everyone is affected by different challenges. Moreover, recognizing the unique profile of the CAFS alumni, the CAFSama Pa Rin Tayo Program was launched. Through this, programs will be initiated to encourage alumni participation in CAFS initiatives.

As the College value its stakeholders consisting of institutions and industry players, the CAFS Partnership in Academic Research and Extension (PARE) was also launched. Through this program, CAFS reaches out to different agriculture universities and colleges, as well as international partners to cooperate on common areas of interest that will be identified. Moreover, existing trainings and extension programs will be structured to cater to the needs of the stakeholders in coordination with the Office for Institutional Development in Higher Education. 

To future proof the academic programs of the College and to respond to the needs of the stakeholders, different programs initiated by the academic institutions are in the pipeline. Moreover, an associate degree program will also be prioritized to have more students experience UP education. In addition, sustainable degree programs like blended learning, double major degrees, double degree programs, and global mobility shall be introduced.

Under the research function of the College, an updating of the CAFS Research Agenda is one of Dean Agbisit’s plans wherein the food systems approach shall be incorporated. These will include the sustainable development goals imbedded in agriculture 4.0 and 5.0 and will be done through the Futures Thinking program by forecasting the future of food system.

Infrastructure development initiatives for CAFS are also included in the plans and programs. One major plan is to revive and rename the CAFS Agripark into Agricultural Technology Park to serve as a germplasm, storage and laboratory, museum, and tourist attraction.

In his closing, Dean Agbisit expressed optimism that these plans will transpire in the next three years or will pave the road for its implementation. Moreover, he emphasized that the proper mindset and commitment of service is important in order for us to succeed in future proofing the College.

Watch the recorded presentation through this link: https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=68Ar5xztklo

(IMGesmundo)