USC Launches ECOVIP Project to Students Through Department Orientation
Cebu City, Philippines — The University of San Carlos officially introduced the ECOVIP Project to its students during the Department of Hospitality and Tourism’s (DHT) Welcome Orientation on August 16, 2023. The outreach activity, held as part of the first-week-of-classes program, served as the project’s official launch and outreach event at USC.
Conducted in two sessions — Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts in the morning, and Tourism Management in the afternoon — the event drew a total of 374 participants, including 361 students and 13 faculty and administrators from the School of Business and Economics.
Ms. Brenette L. Abrenica, MAPA, MPS, Director of the Office of External Relations and Internationalization and National Coordinator of ECOVIP Philippines, served as the main speaker. She presented the project’s profile, objectives, international partner institutions, and key upcoming activities. Students learned about the Ecotourism Hub, student competitions, bootcamps, mentoring opportunities, and interdisciplinary projects focused on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in ecotourism.
The presentation generated strong enthusiasm among students and faculty alike. Participants expressed excitement over the prospect of hands-on involvement in sustainable tourism initiatives, international exposure, and the chance to develop real-world projects that support community-based ecotourism and sustainable development.
The outreach was seamlessly integrated into the department’s orientation program, following the invocation, national anthem, university hymn, welcome remarks, and updates on departmental policies. It concluded with an open Question and Answer segment where students and faculty engaged directly with Ms. Abrenica.
This successful launch marks an important milestone for the Erasmus+ ECOVIP Project at USC, setting the stage for greater student involvement and reinforcing the university’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in tourism and hospitality education.
