BSU Welcomes AGRI-TECT team; Promoting International OpportunitiesBenguet State University welcomed the AGRI-TECT Team through a cultural welcome dinner held at the IRO Function Hall on June 25, 2025. The event served not only as a moment of fellowship but also as a vibrant showcase of the rich cultural heritage from northern Luzon.
Twelve visitors composed the delegation from Taiwan – Asia University (AU), National Central University (NCU), Yuan Ze University (YZU) from Taiwan, De La Salle University (DLSU) from the Philippines.
In his welcome remarks, IRO Director Rex John Bawang expressed his gratitude to the visiting delegation. Stating that projects brought in by this partnership help in the innovation of agricultural practices especially on semi-temperate crops. He also introduced the Cordilleran culture and contextualized the overview of the performances.
KONTAD Cultural Dance Troupe captivated guest with traditional dances representing the diverse heritage of the province of Abra and Ifugao.
On behalf of BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan, VPRE Roscinto Ian Lumbres welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration and encouraging strong partnership between the institutions involved in the AGRI-TECT Project.
AGRI-TECT Taiwan Team Leader Professor Chih-Yang Lin from National Central University, expressed his admiration for the Cordilleran climate and their interest in conducting researches with BSU and DLSU. He ended his speech with presenting tokens to the other project partner institutions.
Project Partners Professor Chi Wen Lung from Asia University and Professor Isack Farady from the Yuan Ze University, also gave their messages of thanks for the warm welcome organized for them.
DLSU Project proponent Ronnie S. Concepcion II, shared his ongoing collaborative efforts with Benguet State University on several project on agricultural innovation including the E- Asia Project involving partners from Philippines, Japan, and Thailand. He is committed to continuing the partnership between BSU and DLSU for future collaborations.
The Department of Science and Technology – CAR representative and assistant to the Regional Director Pepita Picpican, expressed her appreciation for involving the regional office in international projects like AGRI-TECT.
Concluding the event, BSU Project Proponent Jesson Del-amen expressed his gratitude for the continued partnership and the support received from DOST regional office and the BSU community.
To represent unity, the institutions concluded the welcome program exchanging institutional tokens as a symbol of camaraderie and collaboration.
Partners Promote Respective Universities
Additional to the event, representatives from the partner institution promoted international opportunities and research programs. Continuing the networking part of the event, representatives from the foreign universities took the opportunity to introduce their institutions.
Starting the discussion, Professor Chih-Yang Lin introduce the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the National Central University. He also discussed the role of their department in the AGRI-TECT project giving support to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) development of the project.
AGRI-TECH project staff and MECO-TECO scholar Andy Desman delivered a presentation on the AGRI-TECT project and its components. Discussing how AI determines plant growth and electromagnetic signals. And the ways forward of the AGRI-TECT project.
Yuan Ze University Professor and AGRI-TECT proponent Isack Farady introduced the Yuan Ze University. He introduced the YZU and the College of Electrical and Communications Engineering.
Lastly, Asia University Professor Chi Wen Lung presented on his researches in Product Design and the Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) that his university offers through their Office of International Affairs. Encouraging the students to apply in this cultural immersion in Taiwan.
The Agricultural Thermoelectric Plant Patch Integration for Pathogenic Disease Resiliency and Computational Intelligence – Embedded Decision Support System through Internet of Living Things (AGRI-TECT) project aims to create a smart farming system that can monitor plant health in real-time, predict diseases outbreaks, and provide automated, data-driven recommendations for disease management. The project is funded by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office – Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (MECO-TECO). //SGVictorino & LMWan-aten/(BSDC IRO Intern)
Photos by: Elsie Bawayan (Benguet State University – UPAO), SGVictorino and LMWan-aten (BSDC IRO interns)
#AGRI-TECT, #BSUtotheWorld, #CulturalWelcome, #TheWorldToBSU
