Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss visited Benguet State University on March 23,2022.
With Ambassador Fluss were Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam and MASHAV Officer Gladys Baniqued-Turiano. The guests were welcome by BSU Officials, led by Vice President for Administration and Finance, while President Felipe Salaing Comila was in a meeting with CHED Chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III.
According to International Relations Office Director Ma. Luz D. Fang-asan, the purpose of the visit was to discuss areas of collaboration on academic, research and development and other fields of interest. She added that succeeding meetings will take place to concretize initial talks and will take place in this April 2022.
The other objective of the visit was to touch base with MASHAV alumni. MASHAV is the Hebrew acronym for Center for International Cooperation. The Center provides trainings on various fields and through the years BSU faculty and staff have availed of trainings in Israel. Personnel of other SUCs and agencies like DA, DAR have also availed of MASHAV training.
The visit included a tour in research areas and ended at the Strawberry fields where Ambassador Fluss and party experienced picking strawberries in raised beds, particularly at the ATBI Center.
Part of the itinerary was a courtesy call to Governor Melchor D. Diclas and a visit to the cactus farm of Dan Saclangan, a BSU graduate who had his internship in Israel years back. The farm named “ Living Gifts” is a tourist destination.
After the morning schedule, Ambassador Fluss and party had a lunch meeting with Benguet Mashav Alumni at Star Colleges, Shilan Campus.
President Felipe Salaing Comila was happy on the outcome of the visit as this will result in areas of collaboration leading to the university’s goals on internationalization.**GT Bengwayan
