LOS BAÑOS, PHILIPPINES – On 13 February 2026, Mr. Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali, Chief Executive Officer of the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet), was warmly received by Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Mr. Christian Cangao, TFNet Information Officer, was also present in the meeting.
The visit followed an earlier courtesy call to Dr. Amado Angeles, Dean of the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) on 19 November 2025.
During the meeting, Mr. Salim introduced TFNet’s programs and activities, with a particular focus on the FruitNext initiative. The program is designed to provide undergraduate and postgraduate students a platform to present their research, participate in capacity-building activities, and receive mentorship from experts and industry leaders.
Chancellor Camacho welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential benefits for UPLB students. He expressed enthusiasm for UPLB’s role as a co-organizer of the Philippine pilot of FruitNext, alongside Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
This visit underscores TFNet’s commitment to fostering research, education, and mentorship opportunities for the next generation of tropical fruit experts.
