The University of the Philippines Los Banos – School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM) welcomed its new MS and PhD students last September 20, 2021. This activity was conducted to orient the new students about the School, its people, academic endeavors, research agenda, extension and public services, and to remind them to follow the rules and policies of the School and of the University.
In his welcome remarks, UPLB-SESAM Dean, Dr. Rico C. Ancog deligh
tedly welcomed the new students to the growing SESAM Family. He emphasized that the School’s dedication in advancing environmental science as a discipline and practice is also taken as an “opportunity to serve our country and even the Southeast Asia Region” as SESAM is the first to offer an Environmental Studies Graduate Program in Southeast Asia.
“Studying environmental science, especially at SESAM, is not just about getting a degree. Here, we jointly invest our every talent and resources for you to build a future that is based on a solid career where you fulfill UP’s mantra of honor and excellence.”
He also said that UPLB-SESAM will serve as an instrument in creating a “cadre of environmental professionals who have a different way of looking at the world, who have the will to get things done and who have the heart to serve” because the School believe that this generation of environmental scientist is the long term solution to the environmental problems.
Dean Ancog commend the new students for their decision in joining the SESAM family and motivate them to get the best of the experience and to become the best professionals that they want to be.
To walk the new students through SESAM, Dean Ancog presented the Vision and Mission of SESAM, saying that as the students of SESAM, they are now part of the mission in promoting a culture of science-based decision making in environmental governance. Anchored in its Vision and Mission, the School came up with its branding – SESAM SAILS: Sustainability and Accelerated Innovation in Learning and Solutions.
He also talked about the brief history of SESAM, its past and notable achievements. Dr. Ancog also introduced the people of SESAM starting from the faculty members, followed by the research personnel and then the admin staff. He also discussed the Research Agenda of the School following the research framework Environmental Conservation, Protection and Restoration/Rehabilitation or EnviCPR which involves different ecosystems. Aside from research, he also presented the Extension and Public Service which the School has been very busy with recently.
Dr. Ancog also emphasized that the School wants to ensure that its Faculty and Researchers are serious in working with its students in doing active publications to contribute to science and to the body of knowledge.
At the end of his presentation, Dean Rico encouraged everyone to always check the UPLB-SESAM Website and its Facebook page to be updated with the information and advisories, on top of the usual means of communication.
Dr. Loucel E. Cui, the head of the Instruction Division of SESAM presented the academic requirements for the MS and PhD students. She highlighted that the classes will be held virtually. The faculty prepared a course pack which includes materials for the whole semester such as the course syllabus, lecture materials, learning resources, etc. The students can access the course pack online, but for students who do not have access to the internet, the School can provide a flashdrive (storage device).
SESAM Library Head, Ms. Evangeline Alcantara also presented the resources and learning materials that are available at the School’s library. She also discussed how the students can access these resources as well as the services being offered by the SESAM library and by the UPLB Main Library.
Dr. Jessica D. Villanueva-Peyraube, the head of SESAM Research Division presented the roadmap to the students’ research and learning. Dr. Villanueva-Peyraube started her presentation with the question for the students — “As a new graduate student, how important is research to you?” Some of the responses are “It is essential because research can improve our critical thinking”; “Research is the foundation of discoveries that paved the way into the formation of technology, medicine, and other components of society”, and “Very important because it is the tangible product of how we are able to translate theory into application” among others. At the end of her presentation, Dr. Villanueva-Peyraube emphasized that doing research is just an academic requirement to finish the degree, but it brings different specs in graduate student life.
Finally, Dr. Alma Lorelei DJ. Abejero, the head of the SESAM Envi Lab, introduced the Laboratory capabilities, and the different equipment and instruments available in the laboratory. She also presented the requirements on how to access the SESAM Envi Lab services.
