Dr. Masayo Ikeda, a researcher from the Department of Nutritional Sciences of the Tokyo University of Agriculture, graced the BIDANI Network Program at the University of the Philippines Los Baños for a four-day visit from June 18-21, 2018.
On her first day, June 18, Dr. Ikeda was welcomed by Program Leader Dr. Angelina Felix, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food (IHNF) Director Dr. Leila Africa, and College of Human Ecology (CHE) Dean Dr. Raden Piadozo. She was also invited by Dr. Piadozo to attend the CHE Recognition Rites for Graduating Students. Dr. Ikeda was also given a tour of the college and the institute.

An orientation about the BIDANI Network Program, its history, and innovative strategies was also held on June 18, led by Network SUCs Coordinator Pamela Gonzales and PNEA Coordinator Belinda Lalap.
June 20 was a busy day for Dr. Ikeda. In the morning, she visited the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) Children’s Center in Barangay Mayondon, Los Baños, Laguna to observe the center’s classes and RIC’s implementation of supplementary feeding to school children. She was also given an overview on the production of KALINGA supplementary mix. She also discussed with RIC members her planned research about nutrition of children who are being fed with KALINGA.
Dr. Ikeda also delivered a lecture on Food and Nutritional Management of Nursery Schools in Japan. Her presentation was attended by faculty members from IHNF and Department of Human and Family Development Studies, and reviewees of the Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics Review Course (FNDRC).
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Meanwhile, Dr. Ikeda paid a courtesy call to UPLB Chancellor Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. on June 21. She discussed with Chancellor Sanchez her plan to conduct a research in Laguna, while Dr. Sanchez also shared his experiences with Tokyo NODAI, him being an alumnus of the said university. Accompanying Dr. Ikeda during the courtesy call were Dr. Felix and Dean Piadozo. Also present during the courtesy call was Dr. Simplicio Medina, Director of the Office of International Linkages (OIL).
Dr. Ikeda was also given a tour around the UPLB campus.
Her visit to is for the conduct of a collaborative research on the effects of KALINGA supplementary mix, a nutritional product promoted by BIDANI through the Participative Nutrition Enhancement Approach (PNEA), on the dietary intake and nutritional status of preschoolers in selected barangays in Laguna.
Some of Dr. Ikeda’s previous studies include Effect of Visualizaion of Gas Consumption on Student’s Awareness about Energy Conservation Food Service Training, Relationship Between Plate Waste Ratio and Food Category or Serving among Students in Elementary School Lunches, and Characterization of the Composition and Bacterial Manufacturing Process for Rice Noodles in Cambodia, among others.
The visit of Dr. Ikeda is part of BIDANI’s efforts to strengthen partnerships and linkages with other academic institutions across the globe in line with UPLB’s vision of becoming a globally competitive graduate and research university contributing to national development.
– Guien Eidrefson Garma and Laubrey Ella Fernandez