OVCRIGE MSUN

Mindanao State University at Naawan strengthened its global engagement efforts as Chancellor Dr. Elnor C. Roa joined the Philippine delegation to the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) Annual Conference 2025, along with institutional visits and meetings in Quebec City and Montreal, Canada, from November 1–9, 2025. Organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the mission aimed to reinforce the Philippines–Canada partnership in internationalization, capacity building, and transnational higher education (TNHE).  During the conference, Chancellor Roa actively participated in engagements with Canadian higher education institutions (HEIs), provincial government partners, and sustainability networks to explore opportunities for joint programs, faculty and student mobility, and collaborative research initiatives. The delegation also highlighted the strengths and global engagement efforts of Philippine HEIs, including MSUN, while gaining insights into emerging trends in international education and best practices from Canadian institutions. Key objectives of the mission included strengthening the CHED–CBIE collaboration, promoting the Philippine higher education sector in international platforms, and establishing long-term partnerships with Canadian stakeholders. As part of the mission’s outputs, the delegation will produce a comprehensive post-mission report, conduct debriefing and re-echoing sessions with CHED and HEIs, and develop a roadmap of planned collaborative activities aligned with national and ASEAN Chairmanship priorities. The mission also supported the expansion of the Philippines–Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS) to foster academic and research partnerships focused on sustainability. Furthermore, a delivery HEI partner will be identified to support CHED’s Leading Internationalization Project, ensuring exposure to Canadian best practices in higher education internationalization. MSUN’s participation through Chancellor Roa is expected to contribute significantly to strengthening institutional capacity, expanding global linkages, and promoting innovation in academic and research programs. The activity is also expected to support the long-term outcomes of the CHED–CBIE partnership, including the formalization of collaborative agreements between Philippine and Canadian institutions, enhanced visibility of Philippine higher education, and improved benchmarking against international TNHE practices. Chancellor Roa emphasized that MSU at Naawan’s involvement in this mission reinforces the university’s commitment to global collaboration, quality education, and transformative research. The insights and partnerships developed in Canada will help shape new pathways for academic mobility, research innovation, and sustainable development initiatives, positioning MSUN as a forward-looking institution dedicated to international excellence.

Assoc. Prof. Richelle A. Niepes of the College of Environment and Life Sciences at Mindanao State University at Naawan was awarded 1st Place Best Presenter at the 12th International Conference of Innovation in Animal Science. The virtual conference was held via Zoom on November 5, 2025. The event was organized by Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia, in partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Universitas Negeri Surabaya. It convened researchers and experts from Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Ghana, Vietnam, and other participating nations to present innovative developments in the field. Selected proceedings from the conference are slated for publication in BIO Web of Conferences, a Scopus-indexed journal series. Assoc. Prof. Niepes presented the study titled, “Influence of Various Sugar Sources as Drinking Water Additives on the Hematological Profile of Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.).” The research was co-authored by Ms. Angeline M. Villacin, Mr. Mark Anthony T. Maña, and Ms. Julie Ann C. Alampayan. The research examines the effects of alternative sugar sources as drinking water additives on the hematological profile of broiler chickens. The findings provide insights into improving poultry health, enhancing feed conversion efficiency, and potentially reducing production costs. The study also supports the identification of cost-effective nutritional supplements for small-scale and commercial poultry production, particularly in developing regions. This recognition for Assoc. Prof. Niepes and her team highlights their contribution to animal science research and reinforces MSU at Naawan’s commitment to producing relevant, high-impact research that supports agricultural innovation.

Mr. Erwin Jones A. Tucong, a faculty member from the College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at MSU at Naawan, recently embarked on a highly specialized international learning experience in Japan, immersing himself in an intensive, hands-on workshop focused on the tiny yet ecologically critical world of meiofauna. Mr. Tucong participated in the MeioScool 2025 International Workshop, held from October 6–9 at Kumamoto University’s Aitsu Marine Station in Amakusa, Japan. More than a series of lectures, the event served as a dynamic platform for emerging and established scientists to deepen their technical competence in meiofauna research, equipping participants with essential skills in taxonomy, sampling methodology, laboratory processing, and biodiversity assessment. The training gathered researchers and students from across the globe to exchange expertise on managing and understanding these microscopic organisms that play a vital role in marine ecosystems. The workshop began with an orientation at the Aitsu Marine Station before quickly transitioning to field activities. Participants collected sediment samples from both deep offshore and shallow coastal sites, aiming to investigate how variations in sediment type influence meiofaunal communities. These samples were subsequently processed and sorted in the laboratory, offering attendees a direct, hands-on encounter with real specimens and field data. On October 7, participants attended a lecture on copepod diversity and taxonomy led by renowned expert Dr. Pedro Martinez Arbizu. The session provided an in-depth look at one of the most abundant and diverse meiofaunal taxa. Afterward, the group conducted additional sampling at a low-tide beach, followed by laboratory analysis and microscopy of the newly collected specimens. The final two days featured a combination of advanced lectures and rigorous lab work. Topics included major meiofaunal groups such as nematodes, kinorhyncha, tardigrades, loriciferans, and foraminiferans, alongside sessions on molecular biology, advanced imaging techniques, and the application of scanning electron microscopy and ECOTAXA software for species documentation and identification. Between the expert-led sessions, participants worked individually and collaboratively to identify collected meiofauna under the microscope, reinforcing both their theoretical and practical learning. Beyond technical training, MeioScool 2025 fostered meaningful international collaboration and scientific exchange. Participants had the opportunity to interact with prominent meiofauna researchers and fellow trainees from various countries, building networks that can support future collaborative projects and research endeavors. For Mr. Tucong, this workshop serves as a significant milestone in his professional development as a marine researcher. The knowledge and skills he gained, particularly in specimen collection, taxonomic identification, and analytical techniques, will directly support ongoing and future research initiatives at MSU at Naawan. His enhanced expertise strengthens the university’s capacity to investigate marine biodiversity, contributes to a deeper understanding of local and regional ecosystems, and supports evidence-based conservation and management of coastal and marine environments. Moreover, his participation reinforces MSU at Naawan’s commitment to global engagement and scientific excellence, reflecting the institution’s dedication to nurturing researchers who can contribute to international discourse and research frontiers. The connections and collaborations initiated during the workshop will help open doors for joint studies, academic exchanges, and international partnerships in marine science. Mr. Tucong returns home equipped with sharpened fieldwork and taxonomic skills, ready to share his learnings with students and colleagues and support MSU at Naawan’s expanding role in marine biodiversity research, further advancing the university’s mission of generating knowledge that promotes sustainable development in aquatic ecosystems.

Mindanao State University at Naawan recently wrapped up a successful week-long visit from Ms. Maria Angelina Platt of the University of Gießen, Germany, an initiative that significantly boosted the university’s push toward global internationalization. From October 13 to October 17, 2025, Ms. Platt’s presence served as a strategic platform for strengthening academic collaboration, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and exchanging innovative educational practices, fulfilling MSUN’s commitment to enhancing its global visibility. The university specifically aimed to share its best practices in teacher education, which heavily emphasize community engagement and contextualized instruction, while offering Ms. Platt the opportunity to deeply explore Filipino culture through the lens of a local academic environment. The German academic’s itinerary provided a comprehensive look at MSUN’s core functions, beginning with an immersion into the academic heartbeat of the institution. On October 15, Ms. Platt delivered a key talk on educational innovations before engaging in a hands-on Immersion with an Education class within the College of Education and Social Sciences (CESS), allowing her to directly observe local pedagogical styles. This academic focus was further enriched through research tours and knowledge-sharing sessions with the Research on Environment and Nanotechnology Laboratories (REYLabs) and the Center for Microplastics Research and Innovation, as well as participation in an agroforestry fieldwork in Lasang, Initao, Misamis Oriental. A pivotal moment demonstrating the university’s community-centric philosophy was the visit to Lubillan on October 16, where Ms. Platt witnessed the impact of the SAPNAY Project and met with the Higaonon Council of Elders, illustrating how MSUN integrates its academic mission with local development. The entire visit, organized by various offices including the Office of Global Engagement and Partnership, DARES Center, CESS, Office of Gender and Development, and the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao, was deemed a major success, achieving its goal of providing mutual learning opportunities. MSUN faculty and students benefited from exposure to Germany’s teacher education frameworks, enriching their global outlook, while Ms. Platt gained invaluable, firsthand experience with unique Filipino best practices in education. University officials believe this productive exchange with the University of Gießen will pave the way for future, more extensive institutional partnerships, ultimately contributing to MSUN’s broader mission of cultivating globally competent graduates and educators.

Faculty-researcher Ms. Rochelle A. Paculba of Mindanao State University at Naawan earned recognition as Best Presenter during the 7th International Conference on Agriculture and Bioindustry (ICAGRI 2025) held on October 8–9, 2025, at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Hosted by the Faculty of Agriculture of Universitas Syiah Kuala, ICAGRI 2025 served as a global platform that united leading scholars, researchers, and practitioners under the theme “Advancing Global Agricultural Innovations, Sustainability, and Food Security.” The conference aimed to foster meaningful discussions and collaborations shaping the future of agriculture and bioindustry. Ms. Paculba presented her study titled “Effects of Fermented Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) Leaf Meal Supplementation on Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.),” a research highlighting the potential of alternative feed resources for poultry production. The study investigated the effects of incorporating fermented water lettuce leaf meal on broiler chicken performance, carcass quality, and overall meat attributes—providing insights into sustainable feed innovation and livestock nutrition enhancement. Her recognition as Best Presenter underscores the relevance and scientific rigor of her research, as well as her effective delivery and engagement during the presentation. The findings contribute to the broader pursuit of eco-friendly agricultural practices, aligning with ICAGRI’s advocacy for sustainability, innovation, and food security in the global agricultural landscape. Through participation in prestigious international research gatherings such as ICAGRI 2025, Mindanao State University at Naawan reaffirms its commitment to advancing agricultural science, promoting sustainability, and strengthening global research collaborations. Ms. Paculba’s achievement reflects MSUN’s dedication to producing impactful research that bridges local innovation with international scientific excellence.