MARKING a significant step forward in regional collaboration and academic exchange in dairy research, the Capiz State University (CapSU) has strengthened its ties with the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Under the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Faculty Mobility Grant, Dean Ronel Reproto of CapSU College of Agriculture and Fisheries completed his mobility program at UPM from April 21 to May 15.
The grant enables grantees to conduct their research work or take courses for credit in any University Consortium member-university, other prominent agricultural university or research institution, be exposed to new technologies and receive training from world-class academicians and researchers.
According to SEARCA, the mobility provided Reproto with hands-on exposure through a visit to Farm Fresh @ UPM, where he looked at the farm's sustainable dairy operations practices, herd management strategies and innovative technologies to improve the dairy productivity and environmental sustainability.
Under the mentorship of Aimi Nabillah Hussien, UPM senior lecturer, Reproto also contributed to an ongoing research project on dairy calf well-being.
Reproto's involvement included behavioral observations, cortisol analysis and collaborative discussions on experimental design, helping enhance his expertise in animal behavior, laboratory methodologies and stress biomarker research.
"Beyond research, the program fostered academic engagement through participation in lectures and practical classes in equine management, feed formulation and wildlife welfare, among others," SEARCA said.
Reproto also delivered an insightful lecture titled "The Potential of Dairy Buffalo Production in the Philippines," resulting in significant interest and engagement among UPM faculty and students.
Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding between CapSU and UPM's Faculty of Agriculture was proposed to establish long-term partnerships in faculty and student mobility, joint research and academic exchange.