News & Updates

FEATURED | 14 November 2024

SESAM UPLB joins 2024 SDG Impact Week in Taiwan and pioneers the Sustainability Leadership and Impact Management (SLIM) Consortium

The School of Environmental Science and Management of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (SESAM-UPLB) participated in the 2nd Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Impact Week in Taiwan on 02 to 07 November 2024. 

With the goal of having an avenue  for academia, industry, and thought leaders to converge and discuss actionable strategies towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through impactful research, this year’s SDG Impact Week comprises 4 major events — the Taoyuan Social Business City International Forum, Sustainability Leadership and Impact Management Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Ceremony, 1st Impact Measurement and Management Symposium, and Sustainability Leadership and Impact Management Workshop. This event was led by SESAM Dean, Dr. Rico C. Ancog, and participated by Ms. Jessa O. Aquino-Cando, a University Researcher. As a forefront of environmental science and management, SESAM recognizes the significance of collaboration and partnerships in resolving complex and multi-dimensional challenges, ensuring environmental conservation, nation-building, and sustainable development through education, conducting impactful research, and extension services. SESAM is one in looking for innovative and practical strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable future.

The University of the Philippines through SESAM is one of the five pioneering members who signed a MoU. Representing Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. was Dean Rico C. Ancog along with Asian Institute for Impact Measurement and Management (AIIMM), Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia, School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University, Universitas Airlangga, and Indonesia SDGs Center Network for the Sustainability Leadership and Impact Management (SLIM) Consortium which aims to establish partnerships for research, capacity building, training, and innovation towards sustainable development.  

Dean Rico C. Ancog also served as a speaker during the symposium, delivering an insightful presentation titled “Integrated Impact Assessment and Economic Valuation Approaches for Enhanced Decision Making.” His talk focused on advanced methodologies for assessing environmental and economic impacts, highlighting how these approaches can inform more effective and sustainable decision-making processes in both policy and practice. 

Dean Ancog served as a panelist on a webinar on Global Sustainability, titled Bridging Impact and Sustainability: Global Insights on Social Impact Management. This session, hosted by Future Earth Taipei, brought together thought leaders from around the world to discuss innovative strategies and best practices for integrating sustainability and social impact in various sectors. Dean Ancog’s contributions underscored SESAM’s commitment to pioneering sustainable practices and to fostering international collaboration in environmental science and management.

This week-long event emphasizes the advancing sustainability and impact management to explore innovative and practical approaches to achieving the SDGs. Participating also in this event are academic leaders and industry professionals from Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and Türkiye. SDG Impact Week is a testament of collective commitment to sustainability of multidisciplinary groups across different countries (JOAquino-Cando).

New SESAM faculty talks on ecological restoration on the sedimentation of drinking water supply reservoir

Dr. Charles Gunay, Assistant Professor discussed his study in the latest iteration of SESAM Research Impact Series (SRIS), held last October 10, 2024 via Zoom and Facebook Live. His presentation entitled “Impact of ecological restoration on the sedimentation in a drinking water supply reservoir,” was part of his post-graduate research in Japan.

This SRIS was organized by the Continuing Education and Training Division (CETD), led by For. Sofia Alaira with members Ms. Jessa O. Aquino-Cando, EnP., Dr. Thaddeus P. Lawas, Mr. Robert Patrick M. Cabangbang and Ms. Cherry S. Padilla. More than 200 attended this online event, which highlights methods and impacts of interdisciplinary research.

Dr. Gunay, is a graduate of Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, at Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan in 2024. He explored the integrated roles of conservation practices on the geophysical condition of the forest that overall impacts the hydrological processes and erosion susceptibility of the catchment. His research engagements in the past seven years focused on GIS and remote sensing applications in agriculture and environment; flood and sediment modeling; erosion and sedimentation processes in catchments and dams; and ecological conservation.

Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Dean of SESAM-UPLB, said in his opening remarks that SRIS highlights what the school has been doing, in relation to the school’s research and extension mandate. “Today we wanted to highlight our youngest and newest faculty member, Dr. Charles Gunay, who specifically elaborate with us the concept of ecological restoration in relation to sedimentation rate in a specific watershed,” Dr. Ancog added.

“The motivation of my study- it is a holistic approach on addressing climate change, land degradation and sedimentation of the water bodies”, Dr. Gunay said. He added, one if the research gap his study addressed for environmental science and engineering is that the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) has its shortcomings in reflecting stand, canopy and surface properties in its calculation processes in forested watersheds.

As for his recommendations for future work, Dr. Gunay stressed the need to installation of additional weather stations to verify if the colling is linked to ecological restoration; further validation of the empirical model to prove its generalization; improvement if the reproducibility if annual sediment yield; and investigation of the individual effect of each management practice on hydrological and erosion-related processes.

In her closing message, Ms. Aquino-Cando, EnP., University Researcher, acknowledged the coordination of the CETD, as well as the support of Dr. Yusuf A. Sucol, Head of SESAM Research Division.

SESAM honors four distinguished alumni during the 106th celebration of UPLB Loyalty Day

The School of Environmental Science and Management-University of the Philippines Los Baños (SESAM-UPLB) honored four alumni from different fields during the alumni homecoming symposium last Oct 8, 2024 at SESAM Library. This event is part of the 106th celebration of the UPLB Loyalty Day.

They were Dr. Evaristo A. Abella (MS Environmental Science 2002); Dr. Arlen A. Ancheta (MS Environmental Science 1999 and PhD Environmental Science, 2006); Dr. Luningning R. Morales (MS Environmental Studies 1995 and PhD Environmental Science 2013); Dr. Julis Alfonso C. Sabularse (PhD Environmental Science 2016).

“When we come back here in our alma mater, SESAM, we are not here just to reunite with our colleagues, friends and classmates. But we are here to commemorate UPLB’s strength and patriotic fervor and recall the sacrifices of the pioneers that stands for honor, service and excellence that we should remember” said Dr. Mari-Ann M. Acedera, President, SESAM Alumni Association, in her welcome remarks.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Dean, SESAM-UPLB recalled the story of why UPLB is celebrating loyalty day. It was during World War II when UPLB students were called to join the troops to fight alongside with the Americans against the Japanese. With their brave choice and gallant stand, UPLB students were considered not just loyal to the school, but also loyal to the country. “When we are loyal to a particular ideal, we have to actualize it because it’s not just an ideal– It has to be realized by an action.”, Dr. Ancog added.

For. Sofia A. Alaira, SESAM Alumni Relations Officer and Head of SESAM’s Continuing Education and Training Division (CETD) mentioned that the search for 2024 distinguished alumni was a product of a thorough selection process and it was based on their significant contributions in their respective fields. 

Dr. Abella, the 2024 SESAM Distinguished Alumnus for Academic Leadership is currently the President, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, said it is a great honor and privilege to speak on behalf of CLSU as we celebrate the loyalty, commitment and enduring of UPLB alumni. “UPLB is a pioneer in agricultural research and education, has shaped a generation of leaders, researchers, educators and innovators who have contributed immensely to our nation’s progress,” Dr. Abella stressed.

Learning more about her own surrounding drove the 2024 SESAM Distinguished Alumna for Research and Extension to pursue a degree in environmental science. A Professor of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Dr. Ancheta said that she grew up and studied in an urban area and became exposed to flooding, traffic and commercialized way of living. “I pursued an MS in environmental science to broaden my academic background and explore the urban ecosystem I am familiar with. I focused on community-based resource management and my studies in environmental science heightened my sensitivity to urban environment which became my area of interest,” she said.

The 2024 SESAM Distinguished Alumni for Government Service, Dr. Luningning R. Morales presented her current research on the reseeding of giant clams along Verde Island Passage. Dr. Morales, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Batangas City, Batangas said giant clams are endangered and the need for propagating them is urgent. “This study aims to implement sustainable management of coastal and marine resources through resource and habitat conservation, protection and rehabilitation,” she added.

For his part, Dr. Sabularse, the 2024 SESAM Distinguished Alumni for Private Practice, said that one the terms he learned from his former professor, Dr. Antonio J. Alcantara, which he practices in his company and considered as one the trends towards the future of environmental science– dematerialization. “You remember, you have to have less and less materials that you need to use to produce something, so that you have less impact on the environment,” said Dr. Sabularse, who is the Vice President for Operations of ALDIZ Incorporated, Taguig, Metro Manila.

In the closing program, Dr. Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, former Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension and former Dean of SESAM said that the tradition of going back at least once a year is a very unique UPLB tradition. “We are very pleased and its always been an honor to look forward to, like hearing the stories of our graduates, I salute every SESAM alumni out there,” Dr. Espaldon added.

The event was attended by more than 100 participants on site and via Zoom and Facebook Live, in line with the 2024 Loyalty Day theme “affirming the loyalty of UPLB alumni to the University: then, now and beyond.”

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SESAM UPLB joins 2024 SDG Impact Week in Taiwan and pioneers the Sustainability Leadership and Impact Management (SLIM) Consortium

The School of Environmental Science and Management of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (SESAM-UPLB) participated in the 2nd...
14 November 2024

New SESAM faculty talks on ecological restoration on the sedimentation of drinking water supply reservoir

Dr. Charles Gunay, Assistant Professor discussed his study in the latest iteration of SESAM Research Impact Series (SRIS), held last October 10, 2024 via Zoom...
18 October 2024
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