Faculty member receives grant from CHED to take summer course in Indonesia

Rehel A. Diaz, a faculty member of the Silliman University College of Agriculture, received a grant from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to complete the 2nd International Summer Course of Natural Resources Environmental Management Science (ISCoNREM) last September 9-17, 2023 in Indonesia.

The CHED-funded Leveling-Up Philippine Higher Education Institutions in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Resources (LevelUPHEI AFAR) project; the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA); and the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources awarded Diaz the grant to participate in the course.

The funding for the grant is under the International Continuing Professional Education Grants of CHED.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Management Science Study Program under the Graduate School of Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) University in Bogor City, Indonesia organized the ISCoNREM.

“The summer course [was] designed to enhance the understanding of students and other professionals in rural studies, agriculture, and natural resource management on the importance of the interdisciplinary approach in tackling the issue of food and nutrition security in Southeast Asia for sustainable development,” said Diaz.

Diaz, who is teaching courses on crop science, physiology, and toxicology, said managing scarce resources is one of the major challenges in the field of sustainable agriculture.

“ISCoNREM 2023 [enhanced] my knowledge and skills in effectively and efficiently managing natural resources. During the conduct of the seminar, I was immersed in various activities and practices related to sustainability of various agricultural production systems. The organizers also exposed me to various natural ecosystems and how they are being managed in Indonesia as these ecosystems greatly contribute to the sustainability of agricultural sites. Hence, the seminar capacitates me in conceptualizing and implementing various decisions in regard to sustainable practices in agriculture,” he added.

Diaz is also the thesis adviser of level 4 students majoring in agronomy.