GSU students and faculty present in the Philippines

GLENVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Glenville State University’s Dr. Rico Gazal, Professor of Forestry, and Jacob Petry, Assistant Professor of Land Surveying, along with eight GSU students presented at two universities in the Philippines.

GSU students delivered presentations regarding Invasive Species in West Virginia at Southern Luzon State University as well as the University of the Philippines Los Banos, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB CFNR. UPLB’s presentation was given as part of a joint seminar between GSU , the Department of Forest Biological Sciences, UPLB CFNR with Dr. Gazal and Dr. Alona Linatoc, and the Department of Land Resources.

Through these presentations, GSU students were able to promote Glenville State and the state of West Virginia to students and faculty, potentially provoking interest from potential exchange students with regard to the opportunities available through GSU.

A seminar was delivered by Petry on Legal Aspects: Metes and Bounds versus Public Land Survey System in the United States. The Department of Land Resources provided a donation of a total station to UPLB CFNR, with Petry and GSU students being able to assist in demonstrating for Dr. Jun Tiburan’s Forest Surveying class.

“The trip to the Philippines this year was a great success. Each time I meet our friends at UPLB, I leave with a better understanding of what it means to be an educator,” said Petry. “It’s important to strengthen current relationships and foster new ones with institutions such as UPLB and UP Diliman. In the future, Dr. Gazal and I plan to have an MOU/MOA with a school that teaches land surveying and geomatics.”

A highlight of the trip reportedly included the group’s having attended the “Pahiyas” Festival in Luchban, Quezon. Hosted by SLSU’s Dr. Ellaga, the event celebrates San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, laborers, and peasants.