In a resounding testament to their commitment to exceptional service, frontliners and professionals from various units of UPLB gathered on Aug. 15 at the Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability (TREES) Training Hall for the “Filipino Brand of Service Excellence” seminar.
The seminar was conducted by the Department of tourism (DOT) Regional Office 4A or DOT CALABARZON.
Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto P. Cereno who gave the opening remarks said that the training was organized for UPLB to prepare for the implementation of “Promoting Agroforest Stewardship and Ecological Observations (PASEO) through Edutourism.”
PASEO is funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to elevate UPLB as a leading edutourism destination.
Thirty representatives from the College of Agriculture and Food Science-Organic Agriculture Research, Development, and Extension Center; Museum of Natural History; Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems; Office of Public Relations (OPR); University Housing Office; TREES; Land Grant Management Office; Security and Safety Office; and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs participated in the seminar.
The diversity created a unique platform for cross-functional learning and exchange of best practices across the university.
Together with the participants were Dr. Crusty Tinio, director of TREES, and Director Mark Lester Chico of OPR.
To further deliver an unparalleled experience for the University’s constituents, the seminar explored service excellence and the foundational aspects, including three modules on the Filipino core values, tourism touchpoints, basic expectations of guests, and techniques and methods in edutourism.
Ramon F. Mariñas, resource person for the training and a DOT-certified trainer, emphasized that service excellence goes beyond transactional interactions as it is an embodiment of values, a reflection of organizational culture, and a cornerstone of building lasting relationships.
To conclude the seminar, the participants applied the concepts and techniques discussed through a skit for them to further understand the essence of service excellence. (Annikah Marie E. Cabriole)
This article was originally published on the UPLB website.