USC Officially Launches Ecotourism Hub and Sends Off Team Lakbay to Vietnam

Talamban Campus, Cebu City – July 21, 2025 — The University of San Carlos ECOVIP Team officially launched the Ecotourism Hub at the Michael Richartz Building, Talamban Campus.

The event marked a significant milestone in USC’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and interdisciplinary innovation. The ceremony began with a ribbon-cutting led by University President Fr. Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, followed by the blessing of the new hub by University Chaplain Fr. Roshan D’ Souza, SVD.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Brenette L. Abrenica, Director of the Human Resource Management Office and USC ECOVIP Project Head, emphasized that the hub will serve as a dedicated space for promoting sustainable tourism practices, supporting student research, and fostering community extension activities. Fr. Estepa delivered an inspirational message highlighting the university’s vision of integrating Scientia, Virtus, and Devotio in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. A presentation on the future projects and plans of the Ecotourism Hub was also delivered.

During the same event, Team Lakbay was formally recognized and given a heartfelt send-off as they prepare to represent the University in the ECOVIP Student Competition Bootcamp in Thai Nguyen City, Vietnam. The team is composed of students Jeziel Mae Faelden, Simone Marie Golez, Michael Rey Angelo Mabutas, Keturah Ann Nacilla, and Laurenz Mesiah Palanas, and is mentored by Dr. Vicente Maravilla Jr.

As these student ambassadors carry the Carolinian spirit to the international stage, they reinforce USC’s strong advocacy for sustainability-driven education and meaningful cultural exchange.

The Ecotourism Hub will function as a dynamic resource center for students, faculty, researchers, and external stakeholders. It forms part of Work Package 8 of the ECOVIP Project — an Erasmus+ initiative co-funded by the European Union — which aims to establish Ecotourism Hubs in partner universities to bridge academia, research, and community-based sustainable tourism development.

The launch was attended by academic staff and students from the Departments of Biology, Hospitality Management, and Computer, Information Sciences and Mathematics, among others.