March 2023

Happening now is the 36th AACCUP Annual National Conference and General Assembly 2023 held at the Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila. The theme of this year’s conference is, “Strengthening a Culture of Quality Assurance in Higher Education through Partnership in Accreditation”. The conference will run from March 27-29, 2023.In attendance to the conference from MSU at Naawan are Dr. Rey Y. Capangapangan, Director for International Affairs and Linkages; and Asst. Prof. Heslie Ree P. Pontillo, Director for Quality Assurance and Management System.The conference started with a message from the Executive Director of AACCUP, Dr. Mirabel E. Ho, emphasizing the event’s Statement of Purpose which states “From Internalize to Institutionalize to Internationalize”.The Keynote Speaker of the conference is Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, Executive Director of Commission on Higher Education and the Acting Director of the Office of the Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance (OIQAG).

A Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) is forged today by Mindanao State University at Naawan and the Faculty of Science of Hokkaido University, an organization of the faculty members of Hokkaido University at Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan.The CRA is for the research study of Mr. Jamael C. Abato, a faculty member of Biology Department, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at MSU Marawi who’s a doctoral student in the Department of Natural History, Graduate School of Science at Hokkaido University. Mr. Abato is currently conducting his study on “Systematics and taxonomy of intertidal ribbon worms (Phylum Nemertea) from the Philippines”.Dr. Nonillon M. Aspe, a faculty member of the Department of Marine Biology of the College of Marine and Allied Sciences of MSU at Naawan will collaborate on the said study and agreed to be involved in the ribbon worm collection in Initao, Pampangon, and Medina, Misamis Oriental, Philippines and its morphological examination in the laboratory.

Mindanao State University at Naawan together with the Local Government Unit of Balingasag (LGU Balingasag), the Philippine Family Farmers Agriculture Fishery Forestry Cooperatives Federation (AgriCOOPh), the Minergy Power Corporation-Balingasag Power Station (Minergy), and Philippine Coast Guard-Coast Guard Sub-Station Balingasag (CGSS Balingasag) forged a Memorandum of Agreement on March 20, 2023 at the People’s Palace, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. The agreement seeks to ensure the collaborative and mutually beneficial implementation of the Participatory Coastal Resources and Socio-Economic Assessment of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. Each of the parties agreed to further the goals that would lead to the sustainable use and management of the coastal waters of Balingasag and its Mariculture Park. MSU at Naawan, specifically, will:1) Conduct primary and secondary data gathering and field work to analyze the current status of the coastal/fisheryresourcesincluding the Mariculture Park;2) Provide all equipment anent the Project at a minimum cost for maintenance;3) Analyze water parameters at a discounted rate; and4) Provide terminal report of the Project to the Special Technical Working Group (STWG) and LGU-Balingasag relative to the above-stated tasks, e.g. establishment of marine protected areas, enhancement of fishery, productivity and the management of the mariculture park.

On March 15, 2023, Mindanao State University at Naawan headed by Chancellor Dr. Elnor C. Roa and LGU Naawan headed by Hon. Mayor Dennis L. Roa, forged a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 (𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙀 𝙐𝙋) program of the university and the 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 of LGU Naawan.MSU at Naawan, through its Cultural and Sports Development Office and Extension Division, will collaborate with LGU Naawan in the implementation of the program.The program is divided into three projects:• Project 1 (Kid n Shape) will be for the selected elementary and secondary students with Asst. Prof. Jay Philmore B. Ansale as the project leader;• Project 2 (Music and Movement) will be for the elderly and PWD with Assoc. Prof. Rosalina L. Divinagracia as the project leader; and• Project 3 (Arts for Life) for the out of school youth and adults with Assoc. Prof. Rosevel B. Colegado as the project leader.Both MSU at Naawan and LGU Naawan shall provide available services, equipment, facilities, and materials related to sport, culture and art for the mentioned beneficiaries.

On March 8, 2022, Chancellor Dr. Elnor C. Roa, together with the system officials of Mindanao State University, met with the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the House Committee on Technical and Higher Education at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.The TWG was chaired by Baguio City Lone District Representative Cong. Mark Go. The meeting was called in to deliberate on House Bill 969, known as “An Act Strengthening the Mindanao State University System and Appropriating Funds” authored by Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Cong. Rufus Rodriguez.The proposed bill aims to update and introduce improvements to the charter of MSU to keep up with the national and global demands.

On March 2, 2022, Mindanao State University at Naawan was visited by the representative of the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) Japan, Mr. Yukihiro Ishibashi and the representatives of DOST Philippine Textile Research Institute.OISCA is a Non Government Organization (NGO) based in Japan. The purpose of the NGO’s visit is to look for a collaborator on their Sericulture project. The Philippine Textile Research Institute is expanding their Sericulture program in the Western part of Misamis Oriental and the objective of the meeting is to show to Mr. Ishibasi the area and possible People’s Organization that will become the recipient of the project. MSU at Naawan will then provide technical support on the proposed project.The Philippine Textile Research Institute will buy the cocoon which is the source of the textile and a product from silkworm that is being fed by the mulberry plant.

The MSU-Naawan project on eDNA metabarcoding application to faunal biodiversity research in Philippine mangrove ecosystems headed by Dr. Venus E. Leopardas made a way to forge an agreement between the Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSUN) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), through Dr. Dixon T. Gevaña, UPLB Professor and Director of the Forestry Development Center.The Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) was signed February 17, 2023 at the Office of the Chancellor, UPLB, Los Baños, Laguna, with Chancellor Elnor C. Roa representing MSUN and Chancellor Jose V. Camacho representing UPLB and witnessed by other officials of both campuses.In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the two universities to develop academic and educational cooperation and promote mutual understanding, develop collaborative activities in the academic areas of interest, on a basis of equality and reciprocity like exchange of faculty and researchers, exchange of students, conduct of collaborative research and extension projects, conduct of lectures, symposia, and capacity-building programs, exchange of academic information and materials, and promote academic cooperation.Other officials present are MSUN VCRE Renoir A. Abrea; MSUN VCAA Gergie A. Ambato; UPLB CFNR Associate Dean Analyn L. Codilan; UPLB Director OIDHE Greg T. Pawilen, and UPLB CEAIT Dean Rossana Marie C. Amongo. Text by: VCAA Gergie A. Ambato

Mindanao State University at Naawan will once again show its commitment as a university for the community. On February 23, 2023, MSU at Naawan Chancellor, Dr. Elnor C. Roa, signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC), a government hospital in Barangay Datu Saber, Marawi City, for a Blood Donation Program.Through the agreement, the university will extend its humanitarian assistance through an active participation in the health programs of the community, and address the needs of APMC to have an adequate supply of blood units in order to effectively serve the mandate of giving quality health care to the people. With that, in a period of 3 years, MSU at Naawan and APMC will regularly conduct monthly joint bloodletting activities.Present during the MOA signing were Dr. Sohra A. Saruang, APMC Blood Bank Head; Mr. Rodrigo G. Rodriguez, RMT, DOH- APMC Blood Program Coordinator; Ms. Rhoda P. Abary, MSUN VCAF; and Dr. Deanna Pauleen G. Valdez, MSUN Campus Physician.

The Commission on Audit (COA) recently conducted an Exit Conference with Mindanao State University at Naawan for the CY 2022 on February 22, 2023.The exit conference was conducted by the Audit Team: Ms. Anida A. Mitmug, Supervising Auditor; Ms. Normina M. Mangorac, Audit Team Leader; and Mr. Van Anthony G. Dagapioso, Audit Team Member. It was held after the COA Audit Team has carefully checked and reviewed MSU at Naawan’s financial account and conferred the audit findings and observations and the corresponding audit recommendations to the officials of the university.The exit conference ended with the Audit Team congratulating MSU at Naawan and the leadership of Chancellor Elnor C. Roa for the university’s achievements throughout the years.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) were signed between the Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSUN) represented by its Chancellor, Dr. Elnor C. Roa and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) represented by its President, Dr. Manuel M. Muhi on February 16, 2023 at Dr. Pablo T. Mateo Jr. Conference Room, PUP, Sta. Mesa, Manila.This partnership is an initiative of Dr. Venus E. Leopardas, MSUN Faculty of the College of Marine and Allied Sciences (CMAS), who is the project leader of eDNA metabarcoding application to faunal biodiversity research in Philippine mangrove ecosystems and Prof. Ruthela P. Payawal, PUP Faculty of College of Science to work on basic and applied research on marine biodiversity in the country. The understanding also aims to widen the scope of partnership to include academic collaboration, student exchange, and capacity-building.Other officials from both universities attended the signing. From MSUN are the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, Prof. Renoir A. Abrea; Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Ms. Gergie A. Ambato; and Faculty of CMAS, Dr. Venus E. Leopardas. PUP officials witnessing the event are the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman; Vice President for Research, Extension, Planning, and Development, Dr. Anna Ruby P. Gapasin; Dean of the College of Science, Dr. Lincoln Bautista; Chief of Research Institute for Science and Technology, Dr. Noel A. Saguil; Director of Research Institute for Science and Technology, Dr. Armin C. Coronado; Faculty of College of Science: Prof. Ruthela P. Payawal; and the Head Executive Assistant, Prof. Ann Clarisse M. De Leon. Text by: VCAA Gergie A. Ambato