UPV Food Technologist alumni group wins 2006 UP Alumni Award
The UP Visayas Food Technologists Alumni Association, Inc. (UPVFTAA) is honored as this year's "Outstanding Alumna Chapter." This recognition is both an achievement and a testament to the group's dedication to extend valuable services through its various projects designed to upgrade and uplift the status of the food technology sector in the region.
"This award was unexpected. It took us days to complete the bid book required and we almost did not make it to the deadline. We were very thankful that the awards committee recognized our efforts and achievements for the past years. It is really an honor to be given this award', says Miss Marie Chona A. Rosali, UPVFTAA President.
Only chartered in 1998, the UPVFTAA started with an initial membership of 58 graduates coming from the School of Technology of the University of the Philippines in the Visayasin Miag-ao, Iloilo. Since its foundation, the alumni organization has been at the forefront of providing support to the University, particularly its mother school, the School of Technology. The assistance comes in the form of donation of laboratory equipment and improvement of laboratory room floors, conduct of trainings and for a for the BS Food Technology students, and some extension projects in various communities. The organization also conducted food processing-related livelihood projects for unemployed housewives and out-of-school youth of depressed barangays in the region.
Among the biggest projects staged by the UPVFTAA were the first and second regional food expo. The First Visayas Food Expo conducted in February 2004 had the theme "Navigating Changes Towards Quality: Trends, Updates and Challenges in the Food Business" which aimed to promote the value of food science and technology in the food industry. The expo was the first- ever assembled in the region introduced new products and the latest know-how to match industry developments for global competitiveness.
Because of the overwhelming success of the first food expo, the group decided to launch the bigger, more ambitious and equally successful Second Visayas Food Conference in Decmeber 2005. This time, the focus shifted from the food industry to the food catering business. The theme was "In Focus: Sustaining the Fast food, Restaurant, Bars and Catering Business." It had the objective of updating the local food business sector, academe, and government agencies with the emerging trends in the food service business.
Both huge undertakings provided the necessary resources for the organization to execute its mandate aimed towards food technology and empowerment.
The UPVFTAA will be awarded together with the other 2006 UP Alumni recipients in a ceremony during the UP Alumni General Homecoming and Reunion on June 24, 2006 at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman.
With this award as their testament, the UPVFTAA promises more exciting projects and programs that will give pride not only to the University where it belongs but also to the community it serves.
(Rebbe Julie Jurilla, OVCRE)