Mr. Aviral Singhal, a 34 – year old Indian national and currently residing in Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India is the first international student enrolled in the University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato. He is a bonafide student this 2nd semester S.Y. 2021-2022 taking Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and plans to major Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG).
Mr. Singhal got admission to different Universities in Fiji, Netherlands, and Canada, however, he has decided to earn his degree from the Philippines because of the hospitality he observed among Filipinos he met abroad. He believes that in Southeast Asia, Philippines is the most welcoming country.
Mr. Aviral Singhal, an international student from India, is enrolled in the BS Agriculture program of the College of Agriculture, USM.
In an interview, Mr. Singhal said he came to know about USM, Kabacan, Cotabato through a rubber factory in North Cotabato and rubber research studies he read years back. He got interested about the University hence, he browsed the internet and learned that the cost of living and transportation in Kabacan are cheaper, and the weather is favorable to him because it is similar to India. All these made him chose the University to earn his bachelor’s degree. In the next four years, Kabacan will be the second home of Mr. Singhal.
Through his work experience in an insect food company based in Bangkok, Thailand, Mr. Singhal realized the importance of food nutrition in daily lives. Moreover, through his food production experience from a German scientist, he obtained a Certificate IV in Tropical Horticulture from the National University of Samoa in 2019.
Mr. Singhal intends to do research on plant-based proteins and develop a plant-based protein meal to eliminate hunger and starvation. He believes this would be materialized if he could earn a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and pursue graduate studies thereafter.
Virtual Orientation Program of International Student, Mr. Aviral Singhal, together with the Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chairpersons, Division Heads, and faculty members of the Division of Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG).
Topmost Line: (L-R) Dr. Ardniel A. Baladjay (Chairperson, AgExt Department), Ms. Phoebe Mae M. Baure (Faculty, Division of Entomology), Dr. Baser L. Mamalac (Chairperson, Crop Science Department), Dr. Gwen Iris D. Empleo (Division Head, PBG), Ms. Ivy M. Pasquin (Faculty, Division of PBG), and Dr. Gelyn V. Amilbahar (Faculty, AgExt Department and CA Guidance Coordinator).
Second Line: (L-R) Prof. Cris Harvin Rey G. Calvo (Faculty, Division of PBG), Mr. Aviral Singhal (International Student from India), Dr. Julius Jerome G. Ele (Dean, College of Agriculture), Dr. Tamie C. Solpot (Division Head, Plant Pathology), and Dr. Mark Al-Jamie J. Muttulani (Associate Dean).
Third Line: (L-R) Dr. Celso C. Evangelista (Division Head, Soil Science), Ms. Mary Ann B. Rama (Chairperson, Animal Science Department), Prof. Joseph O. Castillo (Chairperson, Crop Protection Department), Mr. Roy C. Ricabar (Faculty, Animal Science Department), and Prof. Bernadith T. Borja (Faculty, Division of Plant Pathology).
