Twenty Grade 12 STEM senior high school students from Igbaras National High School (INHS), Igbaras, Iloilo spent a 10-day work immersion at UP Visayas College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences on March 19 to April 8, 2024.
CFOS dean Prof. Dr. Harold M. Monteclaro welcomed the students and their coordinator Dr. Mary Grace Entusiasmo during the Opening Ceremony on March 19, 2024 wishing them a productive and fun learning experience.
The students, under the guidance of CFOS Public Service Coordinator Ms. Rowena E. Cadiz, were assigned to several research projects and laboratories of CFOS to gain actual work experience that would help them prepare for their career plans and employment after graduating from senior high.
It was the first time the school sent students for work immersion at CFOS. Enstusiasmo thanked CFOS for accommodating and providing a learning opportunity for their students.
“We are lucky that CFOS accommodated our STEM learners this school year 2023-2024. Indeed, we are grateful to have you as our partner in this year’s work immersion. For sure, our learners learned a lot,” said Entusiasmo.
Speaking on behalf of her peers, Ms. Jhanna Kaye Genova thanked all those who have been part of their work immersion that enriched their academic journey and broadened their perspectives.
“Your commitment to our growth and development has been invaluable, and we are immensely grateful for your dedication. Thank you for leading by example and for your unwavering encouragement,” she stated. "Your commitment to excellence has inspired us to strive for greatness."
When asked about her experience, Ms. Mylene Lebarios said that it was rewarding.
"My work immersion in the chemistry laboratory and hatchery was an extremely fulfilling. The nicest thing for me was simply enjoying the process and learning a lot. Our supervisors were very helpful and kind, ensuring that we had plenty of opportunities to learn from various research projects. I appreciate the opportunity and am eager to apply what I've learned in my future endeavors," Lebarios added.
The students shared their learning experiences from the different research projects and laboratories of CFOS that provided them exposure to the actual workplace setting at the closing program on April 8, 2024.
The students worked with the following projects spearheaded by the faculty members of CFOS: (1) Establishment of the Center of Mollusc and Development of Spawning and Hatchery Techniques for the Blood Cockle (Anadara granosa) for Sustainable Aquaculture led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Victor Marco Emmanuel N. Ferriols; (2) Improvement of Milkfish Larval Rearing and Nursery Culture through Gut (metagenome, transcriptome analysis and gut microbial community manipulationgranosa) for Sustainable Aquaculture of Asst. Prof. Dr. Carmelo del Castillo; (3) Improvement of Eel Enhancement and Development (NEED) Program: Development of Brackishwater Nursery Culture Systems for Tropical Anguillid Eel Anguilla marmorata led by Asst. Prof. Fredson Huervana; (4) Molecular –Marker Assisted YY Male Tilapia Production under Asst. Prof. Dr. Sanny David P. Lumayno; (5) Development of Locally-Available Essential Oil as Growth-Promoting and Anti-Microbial Feed Additive for Tilapia of Ms. Rowena E. Cadiz; (6) Myco Feeds for Freshwater and Saline Tilapia with Prof. Dr. Rex Ferdinand M. Traifalgar as project leader; and (7) Seaweed Waste Biomass from the Carrageenan Industry (SWBC) as Phyco-biostimulants project of Asst. Prof. Dr. Iris Ann G. Borlongan.
They also gained hands-on experience in the Ichthyology, Nutrition, Planktoniche, and Microtechnique laboratories.
UPV and INHS entered into a memorandum of agreement to ensure the successful implementation of the latter’s senior high school program.
CFOS has been hosting work immersion programs from various public high schools in the region in support of the K-12 program.
