UP Visayas launches MScS program in Antique

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The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Graduate School marked a milestone with the start of classes for the first batch of Master of Science in Sustainability (MScS) students at the UPV Pandan Extension Facility in Pandan, Antique on Sept. 25, 2025.

Nineteen students attended their initial lectures in three core subjects: Sustainability 201 (Overview of Sustainability Science and Applications to Sustainable Development) taught by Prof. Rodelio F. Subade; Sustainability 202 (Systems Thinking in Sustainable Science) taught by Prof. Pepito R. Fernandez Jr. and Prof. Nathaniel C. Añasco; and Sustainability 219 (Sustainability Enterprise) taught by Associate Prof. Reynold D. Tan.

According to the program description, the MScS aims to equip graduates with a solid academic foundation in sustainability and the skills to collaborate across disciplines to research and develop adaptive solutions to specific sustainability issues.

It emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, a strong orientation toward problem-solving, and advanced research proficiency.

Graduates are expected to demonstrate expertise in sustainability science by collaboratively addressing complex local, regional, and global challenges through inter- and multidisciplinary methods.

They must also communicate science-based, responsible, and transformative solutions to sustainability issues, design inclusive tools and policies for sustainable development, and uphold ethical, long-term commitments to sustainability.

In attendance on the opening day were Graduate School Dean Prof. Subade, Associate Dean Prof. Añasco, and UPV Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Prof. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap.

Personnel from various UPV units were also present to provide logistical and administrative support. (Written by Gerthrode Charlotte Tan-Mabilog; Photos courtesy of Prof. Rodelio F. Subade, Graduate School)