Consistent with the goal of the University towards future-proofing, the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) successfully held the CAFS SIKAP Agenda: 2021 Future-Proofing Workshop last December 1 to 3. 

Planning for a Sustainable, Innovative, Knowledge-Based, Action-Oriented Program (SIKAP), the CAFS strategic planning workshop was guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Officially starting the three-day workshop was CAFS Dean, Dr. Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr., who emphasized the importance of active leadership among all CAFS units as the College is changing guards. He shared that this SIKAP Workshop will serve as a venue to help prepare and develop plans for the future of the College.

Following this, CAFS Associate Dean for Instruction, Dr. Adeliza A. Dorado presented the highlights of the Self-Assessment Review conducted for the three programs of the College, namely: BS Agriculture, BS Agricultural Biotechnology, and BS Food Science and Technology.

Dr. Dorado also shared the results of the recently concluded Internal Assessment and Development System (iAADS) among the CAFS academic units. 

Using Miro board, five workshops were held during the first day. They were as follows:

1. Revision of Programs and Courses, facilitated by Dr. Rommel C. Sulabo, IAS Director;
2. Institution of New Programs and Courses, facilitated by Dr. Virgilio T. Villancio, ASI Director;
3. Reinforcement/Merging of Courses, facilitated by Dr. Consorcia E. Reaño, ICropS Director;
4. OBEdizing Courses, facilitated by Dr. Lotis E. Mopera, IFST Director; and
5. Global Virtual Internship Program, facilitated by Dr. Sheryl A. Yap, IWP Director. 

Serving as guest speaker for the Plenary 1 was Dr. Evangeline C. Amor, UP Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. She discussed her presentation, titled “Curriculum Redesign” and raised the question, “What should the students learn in the 21st Century?”. Dr. Amor shared that the process of redesigning the UP curriculum is by first Reflecting, then Redesigning, and finally, Shaping Up. 

Wrapping up the first day of the workshop was former CAFS dean and current UPLB Foundation, Inc. Executive Director, Dr. Enrico P. Supangco who gave a synthesis of the day’s workshops and presentations.

Also gracing the first day of the workshop was UPLB Chancellor, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. who shared his plans for future-proofing CAFS. 

The second day of the workshop kicked off with Dr. Dorado’s recap of the first day. 

Following this, a meaty discussion for the Plenary 2 was led by Dr. Aser B. Javier on Transformational Research and Extension Program for Food-Secured Future. 

Highlights of the CAFS Research and Extension Summits that were held last November were presented by CAFS Associate Dean for Research and Extension, Dr. Barbara L. Caoili and Dr. Villancio, Director of the Agricultural Systems Institute, respectively. 

In the afternoon, a workshop for the plans of each unit in attaining the SDGs was facilitated by Ms. Wella T. Absulio, PHTRC Assistant to the Director. 

Wrapping off the second day was the presentation of Administrative Flow Charts by Ms. Juanita M. Larasi, Administrative Officer under the CAFS Dean’s Office. 

For the third day, two plenary sessions were scheduled. The first was Product and Technology: Incubation and Commercialization with guest speaker, Dr. Romel M. Carlos, Director of the UPLB Technology Transfer and Business Development Office. Lastly, Plenary 4: The Philippine Quality Award (PQA): In Pursuit of Excellence in Quality, Productivity, and Business was presented by Engr. Maria Renita C. Santo, Senior Assessor of the PQA. 

The CAFS SIKAP Agenda is the first strategic planning workshop held under the Deanship of Dr. Agbisit. It is hoped that a harmonized program is now in place for a future-proofed College. (AKS Mojar)