The University of Southern Mindanao College of Agriculture (CA) celebrated its 66th Founding Anniversary last September 30, 2021. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Sustaining Academic Excellence through Resilient Agri- Fishery Education in the New Normal”. The celebration pushed through with a virtual program led by the Dean, Dr. Julius Jerome G. Ele, together with the faculty members of the different Departments of the College. The online program was conducted to commemorate the significance of the College in the University as well as the people behind the milestone of the College of Agriculture through the years.
The live virtual program started with an invocation led by Dr. Baser L. Mamalac, Chairperson of Crop Science Department and Dr. Geoffray R. Atok, Faculty of Animal Science Department and USMFA President. Ms. Ivy M. Pasquin conducted the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Mary Ann B. Rama, the Over-all Chair of CA Day celebration, and Chairperson of the Animal Science Department. Prof. Rama virtually welcomed more than fifty participants present in the zoom platform. The history of the College was narrated by the Associate Dean, Dr. Mark Al-Jamie J. Muttulani.
An inspirational message was given by the Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Consuelo A. Tagaro, on behalf of the university president Dr. Francisco Gil N. Garcia. She challenged the CA family to do better in the production of food to sustain security and sufficiency for the next generation.
Dr. Consuelo A. Tagaro, Vice-President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) delivers her inspirational message
The College Dean, Dr. Ele, during the introduction of the Guest of Honor and Speaker.
Dr. Maximo C. Aljibe, Guest of Honor and Speaker, delivers his speech during USM – CA 66th Foundation Anniversary.
A relevant and timely message was delivered by the guest of honor and speaker, Dr. Maximo C. Aljibe, CHED Regional Director of Region VII. According to Dr. Aljibe, “there is a challenge that the College of Agriculture should address, and this is promoting agri-fishery education to students to foster development and sustainability in the agri- fishery sector”.
The successful conduct of the 2nd virtual anniversary program through Zoom and livestream on Facebook was made possible through the concerted efforts of various working committees. This year’s celebration was spearheaded by the Department of Animal Science with Ms. Mary Ann B. Rama, as the Overall Coordinator and Prof. Joseph O. Castillo, as Co-coordinator from the Department of Entomology. Moreover, the master of ceremony was Ms. Bernadith T. Borja. Aside from the virtual program celebration, online webinars and launching of the USM-College of Agriculture website (a USM subdomain) were the activities in line with this year’s anniversary.
The USM College of Agriculture holds Center of Excellence in Agriculture Education awarded by the Commission on Higher Education, an Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) Accredited College and an ISO 2015 certified academic unit.
Some of the College of Agriculture Faculty with the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the virtual celebration of the USM-CA 66th Foundation Anniversary.