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Sunday, June 05, 2011

ASU’s info specialists trained on writing IECs

By Salvacion Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

Aklan State University


It’s all about skills enhancement.


To train their Information Service Specialists (ISS) and office staff on preparing information, education and communication (IEC) materials, the Aklan State University Extension and Community Services (ASU-ECS) hosted the Training on IEC Materials Development on May 18–19, 2011 at their Research & Development Conference Room in Banga, Aklan.


Seven Information Service Specialists (ISS) representing the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers in Aklan including that of Libertad, Antique were trained by Dr. Cora Navarra, Regional Applied Communications Coordinator of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) and Mr. Niño Manaog, Extension Associate of the Capiz State University (CapSU). A number of participants from ASU's research and extension offices also attended the lecture-workshop.


INFORMATION SOCIETY
Through writeshops, the information service specialists of ASU are given hands-on opportunities to accomplish the required output even as they are highly encouraged to present their individuality and creativity in the materials they produce.

For two days, Navarra and Manaog initiated discussions and facilitated interactions on process documentation and developing, designing and packaging of IEC materials. In a crash course designed by the resource speakers, participants were taught how to write quick information dispatches (QID) more effectively. They were also made to appreciate the basics of publication particularly in writing, preparing and lay-outing brochures and tarpaulins.


According to Navarra, activities such as this allow WESVARRDEC to effectively reach out to its partner member agencies (PMAs). For Navarra, they do not only indicate an active working relationship between the consortium and the PMAs but also provide more avenues for collaboration and achievement.


The initiative was conceptualized by Techno Gabay Team Leader, Dr. Clyde Abayon and fully supported by Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, vice-president for research, extension and training, who is also WESVARRDEC’s regional Techno Gabay coordinator.


According to Dr. Abayon, the skills gained by the participants from the training are expected to help in the production of more IEC materials for the FITS centers and document the technologies and practices of their Magsasaka Siyentista (MS). For Abayon, the training is ASU’s response to the growing need for agriculture information by farmers and other clients.


At the end of the two-day workshop, participants produced information and materials on their FITS Centers and the technologies of their MS. Then, the ASU-ECS produced tarpaulins, brochures and other materials which were later used in their participation during the Regional Techno Gabay Summit held in Iloilo City in the last week of May 2011.


FACILITATORS AND PARTICIPANTS

University Extension Associate Niño Manaog (seated, first from left) of the Capiz State University and Dr. Cora Navarra (seated, third from left), Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) Cooordinator of WESVARRDEC, led the participants to writing and publication for their ASU Techno Gabay Team.


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