The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) through its Technology Center in Misamis Oriental and Textile Academy Program, recently hosted its first Work Immersion Program in partnership with Gusa Regional Science High School (GRSHS), providing a comprehensive introduction to silk production and textile science for senior high school students. Over 10 days, ten students explored a series of textile processes, including mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, cocoon production, yarn testing, and natural dyeing. The program aimed to give students a practical understanding of the textile field through both lectures and hands-on training. 

Participants were grouped into three teams, where each team engaged in different aspects of the silk production lifecycle, from pre-cocoon to post-cocoon processes. By combining theoretical lectures with hands-on tasks, the program enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of textile production. Each group also developed a research proposal, focusing on real-world challenges faced by the Institute. This collaborative approach was designed to foster both independent learning and teamwork, creating a structured environment for student engagement. 

The program’s culmination featured group presentations of research proposals, evaluated by the Institute. The proposal "Labor-Efficient Harvesting: Pruning Machine in Mulberry (Morus alba) Production," presented by Group 2, was awarded Best Research Proposal Presentation for its innovative approach to reducing labor in mulberry farming. The proposal demonstrated a practical solution to a common challenge in the cultivation process, aligning with the program’s objective of encouraging student-led problem-solving. 

Representatives from GRSHS, including Assistant School Head Maria Louella Roz de Gracia-Raut, expressed appreciation for the opportunity, noting the immersive experience as valuable to the student’s educational and career aspirations. The successful collaboration highlighted the potential for future programs, with plans underway for more internships in 2025, reinforcing the shared goal of introducing students to textile science and production.