By Judaline F. Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 27 (PNA) — The Silliman University Research and Environment News Service (SU REnews) will officially launch Thursday in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental with guests from the United States Embassy Manila, university, local government and non-government organizations and other schools in attendance.
Deputy Press Attache Anna Richey of the U.S. Embassy Manila will be the guest of honor and she will be accompanied by Ms. Yoly De Guzman, Information Specialist. They are both from the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy, which is providing financial assistance to the SU REnews project, said Celia Acedo, REnews project coordinator, on Monday.
The SU REnews is a project under the auspices of the College of Mass Communication of Silliman University, where Acedo has been part of the teaching staff and was former dean in its early years before it became a college.
Acedo disclosed in a project brief that SU REnews “seeks to promote public awareness of research and environmental themes and issues through journalism, using research findings by Silliman University and other researchers”.
“It also seeks to provide communication support to community initiatives in environmental conservation.”
The project will be located in the SU College of Mass Communication, which offers a Certificate in Environmental Journalism and which will begin to offer the Master’s in Environmental Communication this June.
The project will also use the excellent facilities of the American Studies Resource Center in the Silliman Main Library, the project brief said.
The SU REnews focuses on writing, editing and distribution of research/environmental news and features to Philippine regional and national media, Acedo said.
This project was proposed by Celia E. Acedo of the SU College of Mass Communication and approved for funding with a small and individual grant by the U.S. Embassy Manila in March 2015. It has the permission and support of the Silliman University President and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The faculty and staff of the College of Mass Communication will participate in the project.
The project officially started on April 1, 2015 and will operate for one year.
The project will also cover environmental conservation and advocacy activities in the community, including those supported by U.S. Embassy Manila, like the free Massive Open Online Course on Civic Ecology, Coastal Cleanup, Earth Day, SEA Camp and others, to convey and amplify their good messages. (PNA)