CABANATUAN CITY — The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) has ramped up its onion research and innovation initiatives through a series of strategic seminars and advanced technology training programs.
Recently, NEUST conducted a three-day seminar to streamline its Onion Research Program Roadmap, bringing together faculty-researchers to align ongoing and proposed onion-related projects with institutional, regional, and national development priorities.
NEUST President Rhodora Jugo underscored the university’s responsibility to advance agricultural research.
“Kung ang sibuyas ay iniingatan para hindi mabulok, mas lalo dapat natin pangalagaan ang siyensiya para ito ay magsilbing ani ng kinabukasan,” Jugo said, likening onions to the university’s collective mission, where every layer and component plays an important role.
Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training Jean Guillasper described the event as a vital step toward unifying NEUST’s onion research initiatives.
Experts from the Philippine Rice Research Institute namely Jonathan Niones, Arlen Dela Cruz, and Teodora Mananghaya led sessions on performance review, gap analysis, roadmap writeshop, and proposal development.
Additionally, Department of Science and Technology Regional Director Julius Caesar Sicat emphasized the importance of policy coherence and the broader impact of research, aiming to establish Nueva Ecija as a global model for sustainable onion production.
Earlier this month, the University Training Department at NEUST hosted a training session titled “Foresight in Action: Navigating Emerging Technologies through Strategic Forecasting in the Onion Industry.”
The activity aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge of strategic forecasting while strengthening the implementation of NEUST’s Project Onion.
The training was attended by members of the onion research team, the emerging technology core team, and other university representatives in both in-person and online.
Guest experts discussed various topics, including horizon scanning, emerging technologies in the onion industry, quantum computing applications, data-driven governance and forecasting using AI tools.
Jugo emphasized that unity and active participation across the university are key to successfully implementing initiatives focused on advancing onion research and development.
Guillasper expressed confidence that the activity would help create a clearer vision that would contribute to building a more resilient, profitable, and sustainable onion industry.
With Bongabon, Nueva Ecija recognized as the Onion Capital of the Philippines, NEUST remains committed to making research a key driver of sustainable agriculture and food security.
