On May 20, 2024, the School of Marine Fisheries and Technology (SMFT) of Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSUN) successfully hosted an echo seminar titled “Advancing Science in Building Capacity for Sustainable Fisheries” at the MSUN Function House. This seminar was designed to disseminate advanced knowledge, cutting-edge techniques, and practical skills in marine science to the university community and support its mission of promoting sustainable fisheries and aquatic resource management. The event was conducted under the approval of the Office of the Chancellor through Special Order No. 192 – MSUN.

The seminar featured lectures and interactive sessions facilitated by faculty members who had recently participated in specialized national and international training programs, bringing fresh insights and expertise to the participants. The event provided a platform for knowledge sharing across disciplines, focusing on sustainable marine resource management, fisheries research, biotechnology applications, and environmental science.

Key speakers included Kaent Immanuel N. Uba, RFP, MSc, who presented insights from the 2023 NF-POGO Regional Training Program on Sustainable Marine Resource Management, highlighting innovative approaches to ecosystem-based fisheries management. Raisa Marie H. Bacasnot, RFP, MSc, and Gaily Jubie S. Hontiveros, LPT, RFP, MSc, led sessions on Tropical Fisheries Stock Assessment Concepts and Tools, specifically tailored for small-scale fisheries in Mindanao, and Fundamental Methods for Impact Assessment of R&D and Technology Transfer Programs in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources.

The seminar also included an applied session on Biotechnology 101, facilitated by Mr. Jomar F. Besoña, RFP, MSc, where participants were introduced to basic molecular techniques in aquaculture and fisheries. He also guided participants on technical writing for publication in refereed journals, emphasizing the importance of scientific communication in advancing research and development.

The program concluded with a collaborative discussion led by Prof. Uba and Mr. Besoña on “Co-CiPhil: Co-creating Environmental Citizen Science Capacity in the Philippines”, an international training initiative aimed at building citizen science capabilities for environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management. The session highlighted the significance of participatory approaches in environmental stewardship, encouraging faculty, staff, and students to actively engage in research and outreach initiatives.

This seminar underscored MSUN’s commitment to fostering capacity building, research excellence, and knowledge transfer in sustainable fisheries. It provided an invaluable opportunity for faculty, researchers, and students to stay abreast of the latest scientific developments and practical methodologies, ensuring the university continues to contribute meaningfully to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources in Mindanao and the Philippines.