The School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) conducted an orientation and planning workshop for the implementation of the Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) with the faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Mathematics (DBSES-CSM), December 21, 2017 at the Lorenzo Hall, UP Mindanao, Davao City.

UPLB Chancellor, Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., an MSES graduate of SESAM, led the UPLB delegation. Also with him were Dr. Decibel F. Eslava, Dean SESAM, Drs. Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon, Carmelita M. Rebancos and Patricia Ann J. Sanchez, faculty members of SESAM. They served as resource persons during the orientation-workshop. UP Mindanao Chancellor Sylvia B. Concepcion, Vice-Chancellor Nilo B. Oponda,  Dr. Cleto L. Nanola, Jr., Department Chair, DBSES and Dr. Dominica D.M. Dacera, Dean, CSM, led the UP Mindanao faculty members who attended the orientation.

According to Dr. Patricia J. Sanchez, the MSES adoption by UP Mindanao is currently in the planning stage. “It will be implemented possibly next semester, 2018”, Dr. Sanchez added.

“It was very promising that UP Mindanao gave their commitment to adopt it. The next step is for them to make an internal assessment to plan for the adoption. This is SESAM’s mandate to help capacitate the region in developing environmental science as a major discipline”, Dr. Eslava said.

The program will be similar to MSES offering at UP Visayas, which will start on January 2018. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, economics and other social sciences may be admitted to the program.