𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝗛𝗥𝗜 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗜 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 

by Josua Graciadas 

HRI International Inc. presented international exchange opportunities for Capiz State University (CAPSU) agriculture students during an orientation program held on September 23 at Bermejo Hall, Administration Building, CAPSU Burias.

Dr. Marilyn Guinto, representative of HRI International, spoke before students from the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (BSABE) program of CAPSU Burias, and agriculture students from CAPSU Tapaz.

“We are dedicated to organizing worldwide educational and cultural exchange programs for students in the Philippines,” Dr. Guinto shared.

The orientation highlighted the Agricultural Training Program (ATP), which offers hands-on agricultural training through six-, twelve-, or eighteen-month programs abroad. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, officially enrolled in a college or university, and must secure an approved leave of absence to qualify.

During the open forum, Yza Serdinia, a CAF student from Burias Campus, asked about the possibility of overriding the program’s age limit. In response, Dr. Guinto clarified that while students who do not meet the age requirement may be ineligible for the Denmark program, they could still explore opportunities under the New Zealand program.

The event also brought together key campus officials, including Dr. Rodyard Madiclum, Campus Administrator; Dr. Ryan Sarimong, Dean of the CAF; Dr. Elman Torres, Program Chair of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Dr. Jennylen Laña, External Affairs and Linkages Chair; Prof. Lailane Abalde, SIAP Coordinator (CAF); Prof. Ella Villegas, SIAP Coordinator (BSABE); and Prof. Christine Joy Cervantes, a faculty member of CAPSU Tapaz.

 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗜-𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 '𝟮𝟱 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 

by Nicole Kimberly Tapic 

Dr. Efren L. Linan, University President,  challenged students to avoid merely blending in or following trends, and instead strive to stand out by using their knowledge to make a difference, during the Kubota Saka Agri-Talk 2025 at Capiz State University (CAPSU) Burias Campus on Sept. 17-18.

“You don’t become successful by doing what everyone else is doing...Success isn’t about blending in, following trends, or just saying the right things, while others may be busy getting richer, let us focus on helping others by modernizing agriculture", Dr. Linan said.

Spearheaded through the collaboration of partner institutions, the event gathered selected students from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (BSABE) and the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF).

Engr. Nestor B. Mendez, Managing Director of Agricom Visayas Inc., likewise underscored the importance of modern machinery in farming. 

“We are being left behind, but I’m hoping that with our future engineers, we will be able to overtake in the end. I hope that in your first step, the Kubota will enlighten you on how to use agricultural machineries,” he said.

Furthermore, Dr. Elman C. Torres, Dean of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DABE), added that the activity strengthened the integration of mechanization in agricultural education. 

“Collaborating with different organizations is a big help in inculcating the importance of mechanization, particularly in rice and plow production,” he noted.

The agri-talk also featured hands-on session on Kubota tractors and harvester on its second day, wherein John Lester Luna, BSABE 2 and ABE Bulletin Editor-in- Chief, reflected on the experience.

“To be honest, this was a once in a blue moon experience for me. Studying agricultural tech in the classroom is different from operating the machinery and seeing it in action. It showed me how technology transforms farming and motivated me to modernize agriculture through knowledge, tools, and sustainability", Luna shared.

Dr. Rodyard B. Madiclum, Campus Administrator, Hon. Richard Buenavista, Vice mayor of Mambusao also present during the event together with Kubota engineers Engr. Raul Celestial, Engr. Roberto Cuela Jr., and Engr. Kate Jenelyn Lee, and Sir Marlon Daduya.

The event carried the theme “REV-UP sa Modernong Pagsasaka".