The Department of Agriculture–National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) officially welcomed 104 student interns from 12 universities nationwide to the first cycle of its Students Training Support (STrainS) program during a virtual orientation held on January 20, 2026.

The interns represent diverse academic backgrounds, including 7 from Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 2 from Library and Information Science, 20 from Fisheries, 20 from Biology, 8 from Fisheries Technology, and 47 from the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program.

During the orientation, STrainS focal persons from NFRDI’s divisions and centers presented their respective training plans, which feature a balanced mix of lectures, hands-on laboratory activities, and field assignments designed to provide practical exposure to fisheries research and development.

NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia encouraged the interns to go beyond fulfilling academic requirements and to make the most of their training experience by learning from mentors and collaborating with peers from different institutions.

“Take this opportunity to fully enjoy your OJT experience. Maximize your time with NFRDI to learn as much as you can about fisheries and research, and to build professional relationships that will enrich your overall training experience,” Dr. Mutia said.

She also expressed gratitude to partner schools for their continued trust in the institute. “One of our mandates is to strengthen networks with fisheries schools so we can more effectively share our research outputs, discoveries, technologies, and information. Through these partnerships and the knowledge we share, we help build the next generation of leaders, scientists, and future fisheries researchers,” she added.

Meanwhile, Scientist V and Training Division Chief Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos underscored the importance of cultivating excellence as a habit, assuring the interns that NFRDI is home to dedicated and highly skilled researchers committed to delivering a meaningful and enriching training experience.

STrainS program provides two cycles of internship and training opportunities to high school and college students nationwide, aiming to nurture future professionals in fisheries and allied sciences through hands-on exposure to research, innovation, and public service. ### (Joey Caser)