Mini Reunion: SESAM Gathers Alumni for a Virtual Meeting

The School of Environmental Science and Management-University of the Philippines Los Baños (SESAM-UPLB) organized an Alumni Virtual General Assembly last July 22, 2021 via Zoom. This aims to foster a sense of social connections among the SESAM alumni and gain support for SESAM endeavors.  

Dr. Rico C. Ancog, first SESAM Alumnus Dean and outgoing President of SESAM Alumni Association, presented the School’s accomplishments, plans, directions in relation to its alumni affairs. In addition, plans for future activities of the alumni including the plans for the election of the new set of officers were also presented.

Also discussed were the nomination of the UPLB Alumni Association Awards and the SESAM Outstanding Alumni Awards, and other important announcements which will coincide with the various activities to be conducted by the alumni association. 

In his opening remarks, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Chancellor of UP Los Baños, said that UPLB needs to be at the forefront of this critical issues especially now as the volatile in devastating effects of climate change are becoming more severe with each passing year. “In line with the SESAM Sails theme, we want to know from you what the most pressing issues are, what are the solutions you have in mind and how UPLB can use our resources to help implement these solutions. We want to collaborate, consolidate our efforts towards environmental sustainability and disaster mitigation and in doing so, effect real change that will protect our environment, our natural resources, our community that depend on them”, Chancellor Camacho said. 

Mr. Leo R. Ballesfin, President of the UP Alumni Association Los Baños Chapter, inspired the alumni in attendance with his message.  Meanwhile, Dr. Eileen Lorena M. Mamino, Director of the Office of the Alumni Relations-UPLB, thanked the SESAM alumni who attended this general assembly and called for support for the programs and projects of the Alumni Affairs. She also shared about the programs of the Association, including the “Kaagapay Program”, which provides assistance to students in need of support for connectivity in their classes. The program is being funded by UPLB Alumni. She also announced that the Association will be launching the UPLB Alumni-Industry Council, a partnership between the Alumni and the industry sector that aims to provide assistance to students with their on-the-job trainings. Among other projects, she also mentioned about the Alumni Tracking, which aims to easily connect with all the Alumni such that they can provide them with updates about the University.

The event gathered 114 SESAM alumni from here and around the globe, as retired SESAM Professor, Dr. Nicomedes D. Briones, enjoyed reconnecting with his former students and colleagues during his closing remarks. (Thaddeus P. Lawas and Cherry S. Padilla)

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