38 senior high school students from Dumangas National High School have successfully finished a two-week fish processing immersion at the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) Main Campus-Tiwi Site on Friday, March 8, 2024.
The program, which ran from February 26 to March 8, was designed to impart hands-on skills in various fish processing techniques.
The completion of the program was marked by a closing ceremony attended by ISUFST University President Dr. Nordy Siason, Jr., who took the opportunity to motivate the students to pursue further studies at ISUFST, citing the university’s dedication to excellence, supported by its experienced faculty and ongoing improvements.
Assistant Principal Ms. Maria Lalet Tan from Dumangas National High School thanked ISUFST for the beneficial immersion program, which she described as an essential step in fostering the collaboration between the institutions for the students’ advantage.
Guided by Prof. Cjay Soliven, the students learned a broad spectrum of fish processing methods, including but not limited to gutting, scaling, filleting, and more innovative techniques such as making “bangton” (a dish similar to bangus canton). This direct experience provided the students with a thorough understanding of fish processing operations, tool usage, and quality control measures.
The closing ceremony featured a career talk by Dr. Herman Lagon of the Office of International Affairs and Linkages, students’ reflection videos, testimonials, and perspectives from both Ms. Tan and Prof. Soliven. The event concluded with the issuance of certificates, a feedback survey, a heartfelt appreciation gesture from the graduating students, and a closing invocation by Mr. Julius Ruger Hermano of OIAL.
The program highlighted the successful collaboration between the institutions and underscored the value of acquiring practical skills in fish processing for the students’ future professional endeavors. (News by Herman Lagon; Photos by Julius Ruger Hermano and Harvey Bacani)
