Saint Louis University Extension Institute for Small Scale Industries Foundation Inc. (SLU-EISSIF) Beekeeping Research and Service Center welcomed the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at SLU Maryheights Campus, Bakakeng, Baguio City on 27 September 2024 as part of NEDA’s National Innovation Council Center Visit.
SLU-EISSIF Beekeeping Research and Service Center Coordinator, Amelia A. Gas-ib and SLU Office of Global Relations and Alumni Affairs (SLU-OGRAA) staff, Joshua D. Madongit alongside the SLU EISSIF staff members, Accounting Clerk, Lourdes L. Selong; Senior Beekeeping Technician, John Richard T. Ignacio; Junior Beekeeping Technician Ryan Mark P. Colas; and Beekeeping Assistant Randolph P. Kinomes facilitated the National Innovation Council Center Visit. The visit was centered on “Mapping and Assessment of Government-Funded Innovation Infrastructure,” together with representatives from NEDA Innovation Staff, Economic Development Specialist I Alvin Ryan G. Fernandez, Senior Economic Development Specialist Arthur C. Abes, Economic Development Specialist II Jerome P. Garcia and UNDP Social Innovation Analyst, Elmerei C. Cuevas.
The guests visited the Beehive Farm as part of the mapping innovation spaces and commercialization of products. It was also demonstrated how the colonies were managed and maintained under their care.
SLU Beekeeping Research and Service Center is currently under the management of Officer-in-Charge and SLU Vice President for Finance Roberto M. Arguelles, PhD, and Center Coordinator, Ms. Amelia A. Gas-ib together with the “Busy Bees” who are in charge of taking control of the site and in collaborative partnership with SLU School of Nursing, Allied Health, and Biological Sciences (SOHNABS) for research portions, technical materials, ideas, and outputs.
“We work within our resources and we are doing our best in promoting innovation,” Ms. Gas-ib said in line with the challenges in agriculture, particularly by tackling food waste within the food system.
SLU’s commitment to upholding innovation, community building, and partnership aligns with the university’s reinforcement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) for inclusive and sustainable industrial development and foster innovation. (Article by Je Marie Dannang, OGRAA Intern | Photos by Aletheia Macaraeg, OGRAA Intern)
