UPLB participated in the Kyoto Winter School 2022 organized by the Graduate School of Economics at Kyoto University last February 28 - March 12, 2022.

The event was an online two-week international seminar that aimed to promote productive, critical, and creative dialogues between students and faculty from Kyoto University and its key partner universities in ASEAN countries. These include: Thammasat University, Kasetsart University, and Chiang Mai University from Thailand; Universitas Gadjah Mada and University of Jogjakarta from Indonesia; and the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Each university offered one lecture on the topic related to social, economic, and political aspects of sustainable development (SDG) in East and Southeast Asia, followed by a joint workshop where participating students shared and engaged in academic exchange with students from international partners.

Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr., an alumnus of Kyoto University, delivered a lecture entitled “Revisiting Sustainable Development in a Post-Pandemic World” during the seminar portion of the event. He discussed the threat posed by COVID-19 against the SDGs. He also emphasized the role of agriculture and policies in the attainment of many SDGs.

Three graduate students from UPLB Graduate School also presented their research during the joint workshop. Shari Eunice T. San Pablo, a Ph.D. Development Communication student, presented her paper “(Un)folding the mediated communication of UPLB students during the transition from face-to-face learning to online learning.” Maria Joyce F. Rabajante, a Master in Public Affairs major in Strategic Planning and Public Policy student, presented her paper titled “Violence Against Women Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in CALABARZON Philippines.” Lastly, Marc Joshua Tumala Mendoza, an MS Development Management and Governance student, presented his paper titled “Retrospect and Prospect: The Case of Two Community-Based Forest Management People's Organizations in Quirino Province, Philippines.” (MDCVelasco)