By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

An assistant professor of the MMSU College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) is currently participating in a faculty exchange program of the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA). Prof. Joan Rarogal, an agricultural sciences assistant professor, is one of only 10 fellows from the Philippines this year. 

The program is being hosted by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) in the US from August 10 to December 10. It primarily aims to increase teachers’ technical knowledge on veterinary education by introducing new teaching methodologies. It will also enhance participants’ skills in improving courses and curricula by introducing new subjects in veterinary science, animal production and health, thereby improving these sectors in their respective countries.  

Prof. Rarogal applied for the program, with the endorsement of MMSU. She is set to participate in classroom observing courses, interact or work with faculty from the host university, and attend field trips, special workshops and seminars. 

Her deliverables in the program include the development or revision of at least two course outlines, and the collection of materials and information to teach new courses in MMSU. 

“Through this fellowship, I expect to become more effective in performing my duties as a faculty member, and to help the university improve its veterinary medicine program,” said Prof. Rarogal as she anticipates a fruitful and rewarding learning experience in the UTK. 

Established in 1995, the goal of FEP is to promote sound science policy, teaching, and research techniques in veterinary sciences and medicine in selected African countries. In 2022, the program shifted its geographic focus to Southeast Asia, specifically in Vietnam and the Philippines. (HLY/JVBT/DPT, StratCom)