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BAR honors six NaRDSAF graduates for 2008
by Ellaine Grace L. Nagpala

The scholars (1st row, 2nd from left: Dr. Liberty H. Canja, Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Dr. Nenita B. Baldo, Dr. Rosana Pinduma, Dr. Nancy Roman, Mr. Ommal Abdulkadil), flanked by Dr. Kagaoan and Dr. Virginia Cardenas, together with the key officials of UPLB and BAR (2nd row, L-R: Dr. Cecilio Arboleda, Dr. Candida Adalla, Dr. Solsoloy, Dr. Velasco, Dr. Enrico Supangco, Dr. Roberto Rañola)

To give due recognition to the recipients of its Degree Scholarship Program, the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) conducted a fellowship night for its six PhD graduates on 24 April 2008 at the Office of the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna.

Under its institutional development program, BAR implements a scholarship program for the members of the National Research Development System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF). This was instituted in support to the Agriculture mandate to improve and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) the manpower capability of the overall R&D system.

The scholars, who also attended the 36th Commencement Exercises of UPLB last 26 April 2008 are the following: Mr. Ommal Abdulkadil of PhilRice (MS Plant Pathology); Dr. Nenita B. Baldo from the Central Mindanao University (PhD in Plant Breedimg); Dr. Liberty H. Canja of the Philippine Coconut Authority-Davao (PhD in Soil Science); Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan of the Bureau of Plant Industry-Los Baños National Crop Research and Development Center (PhD in Environmental Science); Dr. Rosana Pinduma of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (PhD in Horticulture), and; Dr. Nancy Roman of the Aurora State College of Technology (PhD in Animal Science).

The program started through a welcome remarks delivered by BAR Assistant Director Teodoro S. Solsoloy. Dr Solsoloy congratulated the graduates in behalf of the bureau's director Nicomedes P. Eleazar. In his speech, he emphasized that the scholar's night is being held to acknowledge the job well done by the scholars for finishing their respective degrees. He also left the graduates an inspiring but challenging message by quoting Mohandas Ghandi, "We must become the change we wish to see this world."

Meanwhile, Dr. Carmencita V. Kagaoan, head of BAR-Program Development Division recognized and introduced the graduates before the key officials of UPLB.

Giving his message to the graduates, UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco stressed the changing roles that one has to undergo after graduation from being an Iskolar ng Bayan to being an Iskolar para sa Bayan. He likewise congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to serve more and do well with their newly acquired degrees.

Also present in the event are UPLB Vice Chancellor foe Instruction Rita Laude, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Enrico Supangco, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Virginia Cuevas, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Administration Roberto Rañola, College of Agriculture's Dean Candida Adalla, UPLB Foundation, Inc., Executive Director Cecilio Arboleda.