Filipino scientists visit AFBI

Date published: 16 March 2016

Areas of Expertise: Grassland and Plant Science

Mr Elmer Talavera and Mr Rogelio Rambuyan from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the Philippines recently visited the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) while in Northern Ireland touring research institutions involved in nanotechnologies in the agri-food sector.

Mr Talavera and Mr Rambuyan are shown how the screw press is operated by Professor Sharma and Eugene Carmichael (AFBI).

The visiting scientists were given a tour of AFBI facilities by Professor Shekhar Sharma, who is developing a new generation of biosensors using nanotechnology sensitive enough to detect low concentrations of chemical contaminants in food and the environment.

Prof Sharma said “The visitors were very interested in our research activities such as biosensor and biorefining of macroalgae as crop biostimulants”.

(L-R) Mr Kevin Quinn (British Council), Mr Rambuyan and Mr Talavera (TESDA, Phillipines) pictured with Professor Shekhar Sharma and Mrs Lesley Hogg (AFBI) during the recent visit

The Filipino delegation was accompanied by Mr Kevin Quinn from the British Council, who organised the visit to Northern Ireland through the Newton Fund, which aims to promote collaboration and research links between the UK and 15 countries globally.

During their visit to AFBI facilities, TESDA indicated that they hoped to avail of opportunities through the Newton Fund for research collaboration and training support.

Notes to editors:

AFBI carries out high-quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland … serving the world”.All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office.