AWC Agriculture students gain global perspective at international conference
February 17, 2026Faculty leadership highlights AWC’s role in agricultural research and education
San Diego, Calif. (February 18, 2025) – A delegation of Arizona Western College (AWC) students and faculty recently returned from the International Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG 33) in San Diego, Calif., where they explored the technologies and practices shaping modern farming and food production.
For students, the conference offered perspective on the global challenges shaping agriculture today. "I believe it's valuable for AWC students to attend conferences like PAG 33,” student Carlos Tornero shared, “because they help students become more aware of current problems different people around the world are dealing with, and what's being done to alleviate the issue.”
The event also helped students envision their futures in agriculture and better understand the range of career paths available to them.
Attending the conference “made my goals seem a lot more achievable,” reflected student Salvador Cabrera Banuelos. “Seeing professionals share their methodology and analysis gave me a better idea of how I could do something similar. Say, perhaps performing research here in the AWC greenhouse."
Ag Ambassador Rayna Ramirez added, “Attending the conference changed how I think about my future in agriculture because it expanded my knowledge of the range of careers available in agriculture.”
“Participating in PAG 33 allows our students to see the real-world application of Agriculture studies,” added AWC Director of Agriculture Dr. Hikmet Budak, who has been invited to speak at the conference for over a decade. This year, he organized a workshop titled, “Fostering Curiosity: Engaging Students in Lifelong Learning and Research” and gave a talk on “Noncoding RNAs in Grass Species: Annotation and Analysis Using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.” His longtime involvement in the conference emphasizes AWC’s commitment to hands-on learning, individualized student development, and its vital role in developing the next generation of the agricultural workforce.
The event also served as a testament to the long-term impact of AWC’s mentorship program funded by the USDA-NIFA. Dr. Raheela Rehman, a former student of Dr. Budak, traveled from Pakistan to share a presentation that highlighted how the academic foundation she received at AWC prepared her for leadership roles on a global scale.
PAG 33 took place in San Diego, Calif. from January 10th to 15th, 2025.
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Contact:
Dr. Hikmet Budak
Director of Agriculture Programs
Arizona Western College
hikmet.budak1@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7742