Filipino Scientists Take Part in ACIAR John Dillon Fellowship

Ms. Maribel Jalalon of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management of the Department of Agriculture; Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) CEO Andrew Campbell; and, Dr. Cesar Limbaga, Jr, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Related Sciences of the University of Southeastern Philippines at the welcome reception held for ACIAR John Dillon Fellows on 22 October 2018 at the Southern Cross Yacht Club in Canberra. (Canberra PE photo)

CANBERRA 09 November 2018 – Two Filipino agricultural scientists who were selected to participate in the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) John Dillon Fellowship Program arrived in Canberra on 21 October.

Dr. Cesar Limbaga, Jr., Dean of the College of Agriculture and Related Sciences of the University of Southeastern Philippines and Ms. Maribel Jalalon of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management of the Department of Agriculture will undertake intensive research management training in the next five weeks. Each participant will be hosted by a specific Australian institution to help enhance their leadership skills in agricultural research management, agricultural policy and/or extension technologies.

“The Philippines has a long history of cooperation with ACIAR. It is important for the Philippines, as it pursues its development agenda, to strengthen international cooperation in science, technology and innovation. We thank ACIAR for hosting Filipino agricultural scientists,” said Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jim Tito San Agustin congratulated the participants.

ACIAR Chief Executive Officer Andrew Campbell welcomed the delegates in a reception organized by the University of the Sunshine Coast International Development. In his remarks, Professor Campbell explained that it is a core mandate of ACIAR to help improve scientific and professional leadership across Asia Pacific. Professor Campbell was in Bohol in the Philippines in August this year to inspect a landcare project.

Dr. Limbaga and Ms. Jalalon are joined by thirteen other delegates from ACIAR partner countries in Asia Pacific. The fifteen delegates will meet politicians as well as development and research practitioners as they travel in key cities in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland. END

For more information, visit www.canberrape.dfa.gov.ph / www.philembassy.org.au or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/.