QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) have officially partnered to develop and offer specialized online courses on fisheries through the e-Learning platform. This collaboration was formalized with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing at the NFRDI Conference Room on February 24, 2025, marking a major milestone in strengthening fisheries education in the country.
Under the agreement, NFRDI will spearhead the development and packaging of courses on various fisheries topics, leveraging its expertise in research and development. Meanwhile, ATI will train NFRDI staff to ensure the courses align with its e-Learning standards and protocols. Once finalized, ATI will host and administer these courses on its e-Learning platform, making them widely accessible to fisherfolk, aquaculture practitioners, and industry professionals.
ATI Director Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, MNSA, CESO III, emphasized the importance of this partnership in her speech, stating, “Through this partnership, we aim to further expand our e-Learning platform by offering specialized online courses centered on fisheries. These courses will provide innovative knowledge and skills to our stakeholders, addressing key challenges such as climate change, resource management, and environmental sustainability.”
Executive Director Lilian C. Garcia of NFRDI also expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its potential to strengthen capacity-building efforts in the fisheries sector.
This partnership underscores both agencies’ dedication to empowering fisherfolk and industry professionals through education and innovation. By combining resources and expertise, ATI and NFRDI are taking a crucial step toward enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the fisheries sector in the Philippines.
The e-Learning platform is managed by ATI in collaboration with other government agencies, state colleges and universities, and the private sector. As a major component of the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries, it is an avenue where online courses on various agriculture and fisheries technologies are offered to the public for free. Currently, there are 40 e-Learning courses available at https://elearn.e-extension.gov.ph/.
