October 30, 2024- Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) has officially established its School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, appointing Dr. Mark Joseph R. Rafael as its inaugural Dean. Dr. Rafael, an Associate Professor IV and the Administrator of the ASCOT Casiguran Campus, will lead the school in promoting marine sustainability, in line with the latest guidelines from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as confirmed by Board Resolution No. 20 Series of 2024.The establishment of this new school marks a substantial step in ASCOT’s commitment to marine education, providing a dedicated platform for research and instruction in fisheries and ocean sciences at the Casiguran Campus, to address critical challenges in marine ecosystems.
In addition, ASCOT President Renato G. Reyes has appointed Dr. Ma Luz F. Cabatan, Professor VI, who concurrently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), as the Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences. Formerly known as the School of Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences, this school is located at the Bazal Campus in Maria Aurora and continues to offer vital programs that contribute to agricultural development in the region.
These appointments and the establishment of the new school reinforce ASCOT’s commitment to academic excellence and position the institution as a key contributor to marine sciences.