The VSU Extension Office successfully conducted a two-day training-workshop on Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Production on August 14-15, 2025, which aimed to enhance the skills and creativity of participants in producing IEC materials to support VSU’s research, extension, and innovation initiatives.

Seasoned speakers in the domain shared valuable insights towards producing effective IEC materials. Leading the workshop were Dr. Derek Alviola, a seasoned development communicator and journalist, who tackled about the process of developing and producing print materials; Ms. Isabelle Amora, a former journalist for the VSU Obelisk, teaching courses on science communication, development journalism, and knowledge management among others, discussed the ways to clear and effective writing for messages to reach its intended audiences; and Mr. Chubi Soliva, having accomplished branding works for various student organizations in VSU, presented on the topic of developing and producing visual materials and what makes a good design.

The IEC Production training workshop was encouraged by the key role of IEC materials in bridging the gap between knowledge and action and knowledge and assimilation.

“The consistent practice and aim for growth in making visual materials with content from their offices can further improve the quality of work, increasing not just the productivity of research and extension offices but also hopefully improving their programs and projects,” Mr. Chubi Soliva, who presented on the topic of developing and producing visual materials, shared.

Participants in the workshop included REI coordinators, staff from various research centers at the university, extension project leaders and members, the WebAdmin Team, and other key university stakeholders. The training workshop aimed to enhance the knowledge management system of VSU, enabling it to capture, organize, and share valuable information more effectively with its stakeholders.

 In an interview, Aldrin Y. Rellin, Project Technical Assistant III of ViCARP, shared his insights on the importance of this initiative to different offices in VSU.

“As a project coordinator in knowledge management (RAISE 8 project), the IECs we develop must be impactful because they’re not just papers or posters—they’re also a way of communicating to reach a wider audience, especially since the target groups are farmers or entrepreneurs and their businesses. It’s a very helpful and good practice. Hopefully, the training really helped the participants.”

Participants were formed into groups and were able to successfully produce their own IEC materials related to their respective offices and extension projects. 

The training workshop aimed to build the capacity of participants in producing effective IEC materials that can enhance and support the university’s research, extension, and innovation initiatives.