(Photo taken by Ms. Jessele S. Laranas)

For SEARCA and IDRC scholars, excellent communication skills do not only come in handy during school reports and thesis oral defense they have a lifelong impact, as well. This is the reason why SEARCA found it imperative to conduct the Oral Communication and Presentation Skills Training Program for SEARCA and IDRC Scholars in cooperation with the Los Baños Community Toastmasters Club, on 4-7 June 2013 at SEARCA, Los Baños, Laguna. Among the 17 trainees, five were IDRC scholars from Cambodia studying at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). They were Mr. Eng Chheanghong, Mr. Var Sophal, Mr. Huot Long, Mr. Thea Sive, and Ms. Srey Theavy. The training comprised of lectures, exercises, workshops, role playing activities, games, and guided discussions.

During the opening program, Dr. Virginia R. Cardenas emphasized that the scholars are the face of SEARCA and the donors in the Southeast Asian region; and this is one of the reasons why SEARCA and the donors are investing in them.

As a culminating activity, the trainees were grouped into three and tasked to demonstrate what they learned through a panel discussion;  a talk show; and  a press conference.

The panel discussion group tackled the topic “Urbanization: Bane or Boon”; the talk show group talked about “Global Scholar Dialogue;” and the last group gave a press conference on the “Effects of Pesticides on Animals.”

Two IDRC scholars stood out during the workshop and were recognized during the culminating activity.  Mr. Eng Chheanghong was chosen as  the Best Speakers in his group while Mr.  Sive Thea, was awarded the Best Speaker in the Table Topic Session.

The five resource speakers from the Los Baños Community Toastmasters Club were Ms. Betsie S. Krueger, Mr. Vini A. Cadiz, Mr. Bobby K. Bautista, Ms. Angela Mae S. Miñas, and Mr. Neb L. Perez.