Los Baños, Laguna – 10 June 2025. Nominees vying for the Deanship of the School of Environmental Science and Management-University of the Philippines Los Baños (SESAM-UPLB) presented their General Plan of Action (GPOA), outlining strategies to tackle enrollment challenges, boost research, and guide the school through a significant period of growth, including the construction of a new building. 

Members of the External Search Committee, SESAM faculty members, REPS, administrative staff, and project-based researchers attended the presentations of the nominees. Dr. Rosana Marie C. Amongo, Chair of the External Search Committee, emphasized the committee’s critical task in selecting the candidate best equipped to lead SESAM and support its development. UP Vice President for Planning and Finance, Ms. Iryn Y. Balmores, representing the University President, Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez graced the event. Vice President Balmores expressed support for the search process and encouraged active participation from the SESAM community in selecting their next leader. 

The two nominees for the next SESAM Dean are Dr. Mark Dondi M. Arboleda and Dr. Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava, both faculty members with administrative experience. Both highlighted key priorities, including providing strong administrative guidance, overseeing crucial infrastructure development, and enhancing research opportunities for faculty members, REPS, and students.

Dr. Arboleda focused his plans on infrastructure development, particularly the new SESAM building project, citing his experience handling similar projects as the former UPLB Graduate School College Secretary and securing Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network (AUN) accreditation for the School’s MS Environmental Science program. He emphasized the need for more space given SESAM’s current population and research projects. 

Dr. Eslava, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of sustainability, innovation, and resilience. Her plan calls for modernizing academic programs, introducing more experiential learning opportunities, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. She stressed equipping students for real-world problems and green jobs through strengthened partnerships with industry, government, and communities, while maintaining academic integrity. Her plan also includes advancing strategic research, improving scientific productivity, and positioning SESAM as a global solutions hub.

An open forum followed the presentations, touching on administrative challenges, financial planning, mental health concerns, and the importance of stakeholder engagement in implementing the nominees’ strategic visions.

The Search Committee will proceed to deliberate on the nominees’ presentations and qualifications, as well as interviewing the nominees and stakeholders of the school, as the process moves forward towards appointing the new dean (RDAreglado-Dimasuay).