The Australian Government through its Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the New South Wales Government through the Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) conducted on August 13-16, 2013 the HORT2012/020 Vegetable Integrated Crop Management (ICM) Workshop at the Audio Visual Room of VSU’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension (OVPRE).

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) is the largest provider of science and research services within the NSW Government. The Department undertakes strategic science which underpins the growth, sustainability and biosecurity of primary industries in NSW.

Participated in by some 40 researchers who are involved in the Integrated Crop Management Project in the Philippines and Australia with focus on tomato, eggplant, sweet pepper, ampalaya or bitter gourd, and leafy vegetables, the four-day workshop aimed to develop participants’ confidence in conducting the grower benchmark surveys and crop surveys consistently across all sites, familiarize the concept of ICM and have a basic understanding as to what it means across each of the vegetable commodities, and have some clear roles and identify steps in implementing the program.

To update the participants on what are the activities happening in the field, the Philippine project collaborators presented a 10-minute progress report. The participants were enlightened with various topics discussed by the experts such as insect pest management, integrated disease management, weed identification and management, good agricultural practices, monitoring and sampling protocols, crop scheduling varieties, fertilizer review, and preparation and presentation of AESA. All lectures were supplemented with workshops either in the laboratory or in the field.

The workshop concluded with a presentation and discussion of ICM demonstration site plans and planning for the next project activity.

The Australian counterparts who were around included: Sandra McDougall, ICM Project Leader; Les Baxter, Research Program Manager Horticulture in the Philippines; Len Tesoriero, collaborator NSW DPI; Mike Titley, collaborator AHR; John Oakeshott, Manager Horticulture Philippines; with Mara Faylon, ACIAR Assistant Manager, Philippines. JFMBaldos

In the September 2013 Geodetic Engineers Licensure Examination, two of the topnotchers are 2013 VSU graduates who recorded a 100% passing percentage. They are: Engr. Wilmar P. Alfeche who got 84.20% and ranked 5^th place, and Engr. Celestial A. Manigo with a rating of 82.60% and landed on the 9^th spot. The other passer is Engr. Erwin M. Gofredo, a 2009 BSGE graduate who also passed in the 2012 Geodetic Engineers Licensure Exam on a conditional status which he has readily complied to become full fledge Geodetic Engineer.

VSU alumnus Jeremia Mercado Añasco leads the 237-strong new batch of Agricultural Engineers, who passed the 2013 August Licensure Exam.

Engr. Añasco, who graduated cum laude of VSU Class 2013, garners the highest score of 80.40%, followed by Engr. Nelle Deximo of Mindanao State University-General Santos City (80.30%), and Engr. Kristian de Polonia of UPLB (80.25%).

Honorable Proceso J. Alcala, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Chairman of the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC), issued a Special Order No. 236, series of 2013 appointing Members of the Technical Working Groups (TWG) of the National Seed Industry Council for Calendar Year 2013-2014.

Convinced that there is a need to come up with a University Master Plan, the VSU Board of Regents chaired by Hon. Nenalyn P. Defensor, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education, in its BOR Resolution No. 32, s. 2011, approved the proposed institutional strategic development plan and work and financial plan of the Visayas State University for the period 2011-2015.

Experience excellence. That's the title of the new school documentary.

The "VSU Story" is an annual narrative about the university. VSU unveils its newest version of the VSU Story as AACCUP Accreditation Week kicks off, September 10, Monday.

VSU Story 2013: Experience Excellence is a 12-minute narrative of personal experiences in VSU, a intimate take on what an institution can offer. In this case, the experience of a product, "excellence" takes center stage.

The VSU's College of Management and Economics (CME) under the leadership of its College Dean, Dr. Antonio P. Abamo, celebrated its 2nd Anniversary on March 5-9, 2012 with the theme "Accountability in Business and Governance".