After a series of selection and recruitment processes, the new APRACA project manager, Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino assumes office
After a series of selection and recruitment processes, the new APRACA project manager, Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino assumes office to manage and coordinate the implementation of the three-year IFAD-supported grant project No.1-R-1403-APRACA entitled, Enhancing the Access of Poor Rural People to Sustainable Financial Services through Policy Dialogue, Capacity-Building and Knowledge-Sharing in Rural Finance to be implemented in Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Dr. Aquino is a graduate of doctor of philosophy in community development at the University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna in April 2005. He is from Metro Baguio, Philippines. Prior to his engagement, he was affiliated with the Philippines Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research and Philippine Carabao Center as knowledge management specialist and agricultural social scientist and adjunct professor/lecturer at Benguet State University and Assumption College – San Lorenzo Makati on community development, agriculture and green marketing.
He is a member of various national and international professional societies, associations and organizations such as the Phi Kappa Sigma Honor Society, Gamma Sigma Honor Society in Agriculture – UPLB Chapter, International Sociological Association, Asia-Pacific Education and Environment and Agriculture Network, International Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences Society –Philippine Chapter, and the Asian Productivity Organization Graduate Fellows among others.
During his stint with the Philippines Department of Agriculture, he worked with several national and international institutions in the areas ofprogram management, research and development, training and extension, capacity building, and knowledge management particularly in the fields of agriculture and fisheries, culture and indigenous people/communities, agro-eco tourism, development communication, environment and natural resources, community health development and rural development. Also, he isactively involved in social and civic activitiesin grassroots education and sports development in the Cordillera Region, Philippines.
Dr. Aquino’s engagement with the IFAD supported project and APRACA Network in general will provide a new perspective in the implementation of capability building initiatives, documentation of best practices and innovations in rural finance and agricultural development, and exchange of pertinent and relevant information between and among the member institutions of APRACA through e-learning and development communication platforms and methodologies.
Also, he will also serve as focal person in e-knowledge sharing for more dynamic interaction and partnership between and among APRACA member institutions, centers of excellence, affiliates and partners with the guidance of the APRACA Secretary General, Mr. Won-Sik Noh. (MAquino)