The Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) hosted a business conference meeting on April 15, 2021. Initiated in 2018, the meeting sought to strengthen collaboration and cooperation between the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and UPLB. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension of UPLB, and Prof. Ir Dr. Mohd Shahir Liew, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation & Commercialization (RIC) of UTP. Other UPLB officials in attendance were: Dr. Fides Tambalo, Assistant to the VC for Research and Extension; Dr. Rex Demafelis, former OVCRE Vice-Chancellor; Prof. Marlo D. Mendoza, Dean of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR); Dr. Analyn L. Codilan, Associate Dean of CFNR; Dr. Barbara Caoili, Associate Dean for Research and Extension of the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS); Dr. Ramon A. Razal, former Dean of CFNR, Dr. Menandro N. Acda, Professor of CFNR; Dr. Tomas D. Reyes, Jr., head of the Office of the Coordinator for Research, Extension, and Linkages (OCREL); as well as heads of different institutes, research centers, and offices from UTP.
The UTP shared its research, innovation, and commercialization programs and projects through Dr. Liew’s presentation, with assistance from Dr. Noridah Bt Osman, UTP Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Engineering. Dr. Caasi-Lit briefly reiterated UPLB’s research thrusts and its numerous accomplishments to UTP. She also mentioned the four interdisciplinary centers in UPLB, which can feasibly tie-up with the UTP-RIC centers. After the presentations, there were discussions of potential opportunities for both universities. Dr. Razal offered the services of CFNR to work with UTP on possible common areas of interest, particularly CFNR’s pool of experts on GIS and remote sensing.
The UPLB GIS and Remote Sensing Team is currently headed by Dr. Cristino L. Tiburan, Jr. Its initial members are Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz, Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan, Dr. Canesio D. Predo, Dr. Jenielyn T. Padrones, Dr. Tomas D. Reyes, Jr., For. Nico R. Almarines, For. Jan Joseph V. Dida, For. Leonardo D. Barua, and For. Jayson L. Arizapa. Additional members from other units and colleges shall be identified as soon as the partnership between two universities further develops.
The first official meeting of the UPLB GIS and Remote Sensing Team and UTP is set for May 7, 2021. (Tomas D. Reyes, PhD)