ISAAA Inc. Empowers Filipino Students to Become Future Biotech Influencers

A two-day training workshop attended by 30 students from seven organizations of five state universities was conducted by ISAAA Inc. in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program to encourage members of the youth to engage in biotech discourses and potentially become social media influencers.

Becoming a Biotech Influencer: Social Media Training for Biotech Students is a training-workshop held from July 25 to 26, 2023 at Acacia Hotel Manila that aimed to train students how to design effective communication strategies for social media platforms, help bridge the gap between science and the community, and serve as influencers of science who will initiate campaigns in their respective organizations, universities, and communities. Members from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Society of Biology Students, Central Luzon State University Veterinary Circle for 10, Rizal Technological University Organization of Biology Students, Pampanga State Agricultural University Veterinary Medicine Student Council, University of the Philippines (UP) Agricultural Society, UP League of Agricultural Biotechnology Students, and UP Genetic Researchers and Agricultural Innovators Society attended the training.

The training was divided into four sessions: Social Media for Biotech, Targeted Biotech Advocacy, Social Media Platforms for Biotech Advocacy, and Social Media Tools and Content. They aimed to explain and address why there is a need to use social media for science communication, how to set measurable campaign goals, determine key messages for a specific audience, and branding for biotechnology. The participants also learned about the different tools for science communication such as science storytelling, blogging, and infographics, as well as how to efficiently use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Tiktok in relaying scientific facts to the public. Filipino biotechnology techniques, applications, and products were also featured for the students to become familiar with locally developed innovations that they can use as content to promote them to key beneficiaries.

Among the experts who were featured were Mikael Francisco of FlipScience.ph, Jamina Bongabong of The Bright Millennials, Danica Louise Sembrano of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, Reann Dajao of DC Design Studio, Dr. Lloyd Balinado of Cavite State University, Jessica Mae Mora of DA Biotech Program and experts from ISAAA's Global Knowledge Center on Biotechnology namely Kristine Grace Tome, Clement Dionglay, and Eric John Azucena.

The welcome message of Dr. Claro Mingala, Director of the DA Biotech Program, was read by his representative Wennie Alvaira, while the closing remarks were delivered by ISAAA Executive Director Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita. Zabrina J. Bugnosen and Lucille Grace Punzalan moderated the training.

For inquiries about the event, please send an email to knowledge.center@isaaa.org.