The University of the Philippines Visayas College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (UPV-CFOS) implemented an Academic Program Improvement (API) project on the ‘CFOS Bridging Program for Midyear AY 2022-2023’ last July 3-7, 2023.
The bridging activity was the 6th API-funded project initiated by the CFOS Committee on Instruction and Academic Concerns.
Eighty-one BS Fisheries students participated in the 6th CFOS Bridging Activity for Midyear AY 2022-2023. Of these, 16 BS Fisheries students underwent hands-on training in post-harvest fisheries-related topics at the Seafood Pilot Plant, Seafood Processing Laboratory, and the Fisheries Microbiology Laboratory of the Institute of Fish Processing Technology (IFPT). Twenty-five students upskilled their different aquaculture techniques at the Fish Health Laboratory, Fish Nutritional Laboratory, and the Multi-species Hatchery Complex of the Institute of Aquaculture (IA). Thirty-two students from the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology (IMFO) demonstrated skills on different laboratory and field assessments at CFOS Bldg. 1 and 2 Laboratories and at Nogas Island, Aniny-y, Antique. Moreover, eight students from the Institute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies (IFPDS) exhibited skills in conducting research in coastal resource management through key informant interviews and focus group discussions in a coastal community in Miagao.
The CFOS Bridging Activity aimed to equip students with the necessary skills for laboratory and fieldwork activities. The bridging program provided tailored-fit refresher courses according to the student’s chosen specialized field in Fisheries Science.
Salient topics on capture fisheries and ocean science, aquaculture, post-harvest fisheries, and coastal resource management allowed students to demonstrate and practice their abilities for lifelong learning. Students also continued their hands-on laboratory experiments and field activities in preparation for their thesis and higher Fisheries Professional Courses, which are relevant to the industry, academe, and the larger community. These activities were crucial in attaining BS Fisheries graduates’ (program) learning outcomes and core competencies based on the CHED Memo. No. 33 s. 2021 (Policies, Standards, and Guidelines of the BS Fisheries Program).
The series of bridging activities of CFOS were timely and inclusive to the needs of the BS Fisheries program leveraging stakeholders’ inputs in shaping competent and ‘industry-ready’ graduates.
The aforesaid activities are strategic quality measures that are part of the mission to provide quality education in fisheries and aquatic science envisioned for a world-class institution in fisheries and aquatic sciences.
The UPV CFOS Bridging Program is a synergistic learning approach for Fish 195 (Fisheries Practicum) anchored to the BS Fisheries program goal of forming a professional resource pool that is attuned to current technologies, knowledgeable about developments in the fisheries industry and research, and informed of the needs and priorities of the nation and the world.
