On May 15, 2025, first-year Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (BSABE) students from Mindoro State University (MinSU), accompanied by their faculty, stopped by the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) as part of their academic field tour.

The visit, which involved 46 students and 3 faculty members, served as an introductory activity for students just beginning their journey in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Designed to complement their classroom learning, the tour offered valuable real-world insights into the practical applications of their course.

The hour-long tour in AMTEC began with an orientation session at the lobby, where the group was briefed on the center’s functions and its pivotal role in promoting agricultural mechanization across the country.

In the Sample Analysis Laboratory (SAL), Engr. Faying and Engr. Manglal-lan led the demonstrations, while Engr. Palillo and Engr. Manumbali facilitated the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Studies (AMaTS) Laboratory tour. Both teams introduced the students to a variety of equipment and testing procedures, giving them a first-hand look at technologies relevant to their discipline.

This marked the university’s first field visit outside of their home campus in Mindoro, and they made the most of the opportunity. Their enthusiasm was evident throughout the tour in AMTEC, especially during the Q&A sessions where many students eagerly asked about the machinery and testing processes.

Beyond AMTEC, the MinSU also visited several other units within UPLB’s College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT), including the National Agrometeorological Station (NAS), Agrometeorology, Bio-Structures and Environment Engineering Division (ABSEED), Agricultural, Food and Bioprocess Engineering Division (AFBED), Agribiosystems Machinery and Power Engineering Division (AMPED), Land and Water Resources Engineering Division (LWRED), the Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (IABE), and the Center for Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH).

The visit was coordinated in part by Engr. Onal, current OIC-Head of the IABE at MinSU, who expressed interest in organizing more of these learning activities in the future.

This enriching experience not only deepened the students’ appreciation of their field but also strengthened their connection with professionals and institutions dedicated to agricultural innovation, even as early as their freshman year.  

The Center looks forward to more meaningful collaborations with the university and wishes our future agri-engineers every success in their journey. Most importantly, AMTEC is more than just a showcase of testing and evaluation processes; it actively fulfills its mission and supports the university’s commitment to public service, even with first-year students.

The visit was coordinated in part by Engr. Onal, current OIC-Head of the IABE at MinSU, who expressed interest in organizing more of these learning activities in the future.