Dr. Johannes Magpusao shared her plans and programs for the School of Technology, University of the Philippine Visayas (UPV-SoTech) for the academic years (AY) 2024-2027 as the lone nominee for SoTech Dean during a program held at the CFOS AV Hall on Sept. 25, 2024.
Her vision is for SoTech to be the region’s leading institution in the fields of food, engineering, and environment through academic excellence, collaborative research work, and relevant extension work for nation building.
Her three major goals include achieving academic excellence; contributing to relevant research and extension work; and providing an enabling environment for students and personnel.
To achieve academic excellence, some of her plans include strengthening the curriculum, expanding academic offerings; and reinforcing the faculty development plan.
Under her second goal, she plans to strengthen research capacity with mentorship, establish consistent international linkages, and set up food and research development services.
Her third goal includes promoting wellness and health, smartifying spaces, and enhancing governance and housekeeping, among others.
Dr. Magpusao attained her PhD in Food Science at the University of Otago, New Zealand in 2022 and her master’s in Food Technology (Major in Postharvest and Food Preservation Engineering) at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven & Ghent University, Belgium in 2014.
She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Food Technology at UPV in 2006. She has been teaching at the University since 2011 and has served as program coordinator for the BS Food Technology and MS Food Science programs of SoTech from 2022 to 2024.
Her curriculum vitae can be accessed through this link: http://tinyurl.com/Sotechdean2024CV.
The Search Committee for the Deanship of the UPV SoTech led by Dr. Victor Marco Emmanuel Ferriols held sectoral consultations with the faculty; administrative staff and research, extension, and professional staff (REPS); and students and alumni on Sept. 25 and individual consultations via Zoom on Sept. 26.
Meanwhile, prior to Dr. Magpusao’s presentation, Dr. Ramer Bautista, former Sotech Dean, delivered the State of the School of Technology Address for his terms.
His presentation included matters on faculty and staff; academic programs; research, extension, and public service; building facility and operation; and students and alumni. Dr. Bautista served as SoTech Dean of UP Visayas for five years.
Some of the notable projects and initiatives under his term include the Capacity Building, Policy Review, and Innovative Legislation Toward Coastline Protection and Development for a Sustainable Future or the Coastal Protection and Development (CPD) Program; Participatory Food Safety Project; the UPV Community-based Bamboo Enterprise; and the high passing rates of SoTech’s undergraduate programs – BS Food Technology and BS Chemical Engineering.
In 2021, SoTech was given the Gawad Pangulo Award for Excellence in Public Service for the project “Production of ethanol-based hand rub for frontline workers” by the UP System.
SoTech was awarded for its exemplary and innovative work that contributed to the fulfillment of UP’s mandate to lead as a public service university and respond to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
