Capacity Building Workshop at SPAMAST Strengthens Marine Biodiversity Initiatives | News Article | Marine Biodiversity Database Project

Capacity Building Workshop at SPAMAST Strengthens Marine Biodiversity Initiatives

Written by Irene Faith Makinano
Uploaded on Sept. 15, 2023

In an effort to further advance research and knowledge-sharing in the field of marine biodiversity, a two-day "Deep Dive into the MABIDA Website" capacity-building workshop was held at the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) in Malita, Davao Occidental, on September 14-15, 2023. This event, organized by the UP Mindanao ABRAHAM MABIDA Project in coordination with the Office of Research, Innovation, Development, and Extension (RIDE) at SPAMAST, headed by Dr. Marlyn B. Llameg, aimed to equip faculty members and researchers with the necessary skills to navigate and utilize the recently launched Marine Biodiversity Database (MABIDA) website and information system.

During the two-day event, participants were introduced to the various features and functionalities of the MABIDA website. Serving as a treasure trove of marine biodiversity data, the MABIDA website offers researchers a comprehensive resource for species information. Hands-on sessions covered topics such as data entry, data importing and exporting, the use of interactive mapping features, and more. Additionally, participants were provided with insights into how to effectively integrate MABIDA into their ongoing research projects.

The "Deep Dive into the MABIDA Website" workshop promises to enhance research capacity and drive forward marine conservation efforts, ultimately benefiting the Philippines' marine biodiversity. As the MABIDA website continues to evolve, the skills acquired in this workshop will play a pivotal role in advancing marine science and conservation nationwide.

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PANABO CITY - Last February 24, 2022, the Applied Biodiversity Research for Holistic Advancements in Mindanao (ABRAHAM) Program staff visited and presented the proposal for collaboration with the Davao del Norte State College (DNSC). ABRAHAM Project 2: MABIDA, or Marine Biodiversity Database, aims to create a comprehensive database on Philippine reef fishes, specifically for the regions under the Celebes Sea and part of the Sulu Sea. DNSC and other higher education institutions (HEIs) will participate in populating marine data into the database. Dr. Cleto L. Nañola, Jr., ABRAHAM Program Head and Project Leader, and Mr. Leo Manuel B. Estaña, Project Leader, spearheaded the meeting with the DNSC President, Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa, together with their Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Girley S. Gumanao, and Research Coordinator, Mark Ronald Manseguiao.

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