Mr. Val A. Alcantara, a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering student from the College of Engineering at Central Luzon State University (CLSU), is currently participating in the Biodiversity, Agriculture, and Culture of Taiwan (BACT) 2025 Summer Program, held from June 23 to July 22, 2025, at the College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University (NTU), with support from the SEARCA Student Mobility Grant awarded by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
As a regular member of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), CLSU has been invited to nominate a master’s degree student to represent the university in the summer program supported by SEARCA. The BACT Program brings together undergraduate and graduate students to explore Taiwan’s rich biodiversity, advanced agricultural technologies, and vibrant cultural heritage. It offers an integrated learning experience through four key components: lectures, institutional visits or field trips, hands-on activities, and collaborative team projects.
As part of the month-long program, Mr. Alacantara joins fellow international students in exploring Taiwan’s unique ecological and cultural regions—from coastal environments to mountainous areas reaching 3,400 meters in elevation. Activities include geological and ecological expeditions, cultural immersions, site visits to leading agricultural institutions, and lectures on crop production, soil biodiversity, precision livestock farming, freshwater aquaculture, and ecological engineering.
Reflecting on his experience, Mr. Alcantara shared, “By visiting mountains, volcanoes, rivers, farms, and historic buildings—and participating in hands-on activities—I gained valuable experience, knowledge, and insights that I can share with my colleagues and friends.” He further emphasized the significance of the program in broadening his understanding of sustainability, noting that “Lectures by professors from National Taiwan University introduced different sustainable management methods to preserve and conserve biodiversity and agriculture, while also facilitating the exchange of insights and perspectives among students.”