BSU sets ‘first int’l confab on food, environment, culture’

By Jennelyn S. Tabangcura

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Benguet State University here will host the “first international conference on food, environment and culture” on May 15-18.

The BSU in partnership with Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIERD) and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) will gather experts from USA, South Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines for the conference themed,  “Fostering international cooperation for sustainable development through multi-disciplinary RDE” will be held in nearby Hotel Supreme, Baguio City, around 3 km from here.

It aims to deliver analysis, inspiring visions and innovative methods arising from research in a wide range of disciplines.

“Discussing and sharing our experiences relative to food, environment and culture, will serve as an instrument in advancing food security, environment integrity and social consciousness most especially with the threats of climate change, free-trade liberalizations and others,” said BSU vice president for research and extension, Dr. Carlito P. Laurean.

There are 139 participants and paper presenters expected to attend the conference.

Current issues and trends such as climate change, bio-fertilizers, international cooperation and food culture will also be discussed by keynote speakers and plenary speakers.

“Every region has its own best ways and forms of cooperation. It is hoped that our keynote and plenary speakers and paper presenters will share their views and experiences on regional cooperation initiatives and to present their projects as practical examples,” added Laurean.

The keynote speakers will be Dr. Fortunato T. De La Peña, secretary of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology and Dr. Dindo M. Campilan, director of the Asia International Center for Tropical Agriculture-Asia Regional Office in Vietnam.

The plenary speakers will be Dr. Segfredo R. Serrano of the Philippine Department of Agriculture, Dr. Robert C. Kemerait Jr. of the University of Georgia, USA; Dr. Tongmin Sa of the Chungbuk National University, South Korea;  Dr. Peter Brothers of the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines; Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando of the World Fish Philippines Office; Prof. Koji Nakamura of the Kanazawa University, Japan; Sara Jane Ahmed of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, Bangladesh; Dr. Md. Zaved H. Khan of the Jessore University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh; Dr. Joji K. Cariño of the UN Forest People’s Program; Dr. Michael Tan of the University of the Philippines; Dr. Andrew Butt of La Trobe University, Australia; Dr. Marlowe Aquino of the IFAD-APRACA FinServ Access Regional Project and Dr. Adela Jamorabo-Ruiz of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.