The University of the Philippines Manila College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) warmly welcomed the representatives of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) during their benchmarking visit last March 13, 2024. The activity aimed to provide MSU-IIT with meaningful insights that may help them in establishing the first Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry program in the Visayas and Mindanao region.

The program included a short overview about the BS Biochemistry program, including its objectives, history, and curriculum. A laboratory tour followed, wherein faculty members from MSU-IIT had the opportunity to visit different chemistry, biochemistry, and natural products laboratories in CAS.

CAS Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics (DPSM) Chair Dr. Marie Josephine M. De Luna led the welcoming committee, accompanied by DPSM Chemistry Unit Head Fatima Joy C. Cruz and fellow faculty member Niel Tristan B. Sacayan. MSU-IIT representatives were faculty members from their College of Science and Mathematics: Dr. Charlie A. Lavilla Jr., Dr. Aileen B. Angcajas, Dr. Kyrstin Rhys S. Pueblos of the college’s Chemistry department, and Dr. Carlo Stephen O. Moneva, Dr. Ma. Reina Suzette B. Madamba, Ms. Lady Jane C. Fanuncio, and Mr. Isidro B. Arquisal of the Biological Sciences department.

Text and photo by: Dr. Julius Andrew Porte Nunez