Calgary, 13 January 2024 – In pursuit of more education cooperation between the Philippines and Alberta, Canada, Consul General Zaldy Patron recently visited Olds College of Agriculture & Technology in Olds, Alberta, to learn about its various programs on agriculture.

Dr. Ben Cecil, President of Olds College and his senior officials met with Consul General Patron on 10 January 2024.

Speaker Nathan Cooper of the Alberta Legislative Assembly, who represents the constituency of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, was also present at the meeting.

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is top 4 in Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges according to Research Infosource Inc.

Olds College offers Smart Ag Ecosystem that is focused on accelerating the progress and innovation needed to grow Canada’s agriculture industry through applied research.

The Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI), together with its Smart Farm and Field Crop Development Centre, emphasizes practical, industry-driven applied research that is implementable by the agriculture industry.

Olds College’s primary research areas of focus include field crop production, livestock production, environmental stewardship in agriculture, barley and triticale variety development, and smart agriculture technologies and practices.

It collaborates with industry, academics, and government to support applied research, innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.

Olds College, established in 1913, has the largest educational facility in the country with its campus and farms covering a total area of 3,600 acres in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“I hope we can apply in the Philippines some of the advanced agricultural technologies and practices of Olds College through partnerships with Philippine government agencies and higher education institutions,” said Consul General Patron.

Since 2018, the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary has been facilitating education cooperation between the Philippines and the two Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Concrete agreements and partnerships that have been forged with the Philippines involve the University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan, Bow Valley College, and Regina College, while some initiatives are being pursued with the University of Lethbridge, University of Calgary, and NoqQuest College.