President Yepes shares insights on agribusiness education at GAME 2024

It brought together thought leaders, educators, and industry professionals from around the globe to explore the present, emerging, and future trends in agribusiness. 

Among the esteemed speakers was Visayas State University (VSU) President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes, who contributed to a distinguished panel on Agribusiness Education, discussing the evolution of VSU’s agribusiness program to prepare students for this dynamic field.

In Panel Discussion 3, Dr. Yepes presented the development and growth of VSU's agribusiness program, one of the university's most subscribed degree programs. 

She highlighted how the curriculum has adapted to industry needs over time, emphasizing hands-on learning, applied research, and connections with local agribusiness communities. 

Dr. Yepes also shared her vision for future curricular revisions that will incorporate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certifications from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and explore new mechanisms for micro-credentials to enhance graduates’ employability and skills flexibility.

Alongside Dr. Yepes on the panel were esteemed colleagues: University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Director for Business Development Dr. Pablo J. Rafael, Jr., Central Mindanao University (CMU) Department of Agribusiness Chairperson Dr. Hazel E. Soliven, and University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jeneifer C. Nueva. 

Together, they delved into strategies for aligning agribusiness education with industry shifts and the evolving demands of the global economy.

Themed “The Now, the New, and the Next,” GAME 2024 focused on the multi-dimensional opportunities and challenges in agribusiness. This thematic framework, inspired by the "next curve" concept by Kotler et al. (2023), outlines the path to success by addressing three key elements:

The conference included comprehensive discussions that brought together a diverse array of participants, from academicians and researchers to entrepreneurs, policymakers, NGOs, and industry representatives. 

Each session provided a platform for sharing knowledge and forging collaborations, intending to identify actionable pathways for growth and resilience in the face of a fast-changing world. By enabling multi-stakeholder exchanges and partnerships, GAME 2024 emphasized the importance of collective action to advance agribusiness and empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the sector.

Reflecting on her participation, Dr. Yepes expressed her commitment to enhancing VSU’s agribusiness curriculum to ensure that graduates are equipped to lead and innovate within the agricultural industry’s expanding digital and technical frontiers.

The GAME 2024 Conference concluded with a renewed call to all stakeholders to remain vigilant and proactive, embracing both the current strengths and future possibilities in agribusiness.

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No: 4 (Quality Education) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).