The University of Guelph was the “go-to place” this week for senior regulators, policy-makers and researchers from the Philippines who spent Oct. 26 and 29 on campus learning about U of G crop and livestock research and touring the University’s world-class research facilities.

The delegation’s Guelph stop was part of a cross-country fact-finding tour to develop and support collaborations in crop and livestock research between Canada and the Philippines.

The group was led by Josyline Javelosa, agriculture attaché to the United States and Americas, and Vivencio Mamaril, director of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards and director of the Biotechnology Program Management Office, both in the Department of Agriculture.

Angela Cachuela, trade commissioner for the Canadian embassy in Manila, organized the visit, which was hosted by Malcolm Campbell, vice-president (research).

“Having high-profile groups like these seek out U of G as a go-to place for agricultural knowledge and expertise – a place for collaboration and innovation – shows the significant global impact we have created through research excellence and knowledge mobilization,” said Campbell.

Along with researchers from several U of G colleges, the group discussed regulatory considerations, research and development, genome editing technology, vaccine development, tech transfer and government collaborations.

During group tours, the visitors learned about technology at the Animal Health Lab, the soil health interpretive centre and the dairy facility at the Elora Research Station, and the Alma Aquaculture Research Station.

The delegation will meet with Ottawa officials before returning to the Philippines later this week.