The University of the Philippines (UP) combined its expertise in earth and health sciences and quick public service with a unified response within a week after the Mindanao earthquakes of October 2019.  Three strong earthquakes occurred on 16, 29, and 31 October with magnitudes of 6.3, 6.6 and 6.5, respectively. The province of North Cotabato was hardest hit with 21,110 houses destroyed, 15 roads and bridges damaged, and several other infrastructures similarly affected. The social welfare department website reported 24,000 displaced persons were in evacuation centers with another 7,465 outside evacuation centers, with a total of 188,533 affected persons.

In the aftermath of the earthquakes, UP executive vice president Teodoro Herbosa announced that UP Foundation, Inc. will receive donations from members of the UP community who expressed their willingness to help. Local donors can pay to Union Bank of the Philippines-Commonwealth branch, savings account no. 102270018964, and donors from abroad may pay to Philippine National Bank-UP Campus branch, savings account no. 108660029835, with PNB Swift Code: PNBmPHmm. 

The UP Mindanao Pahinungod also announced its donation drive for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Donations will be accepted through the UP Strategic Research and Management Foundation with address at School of Management Building, UP Mindanao, Mintal, Davao City, with tel. no. (+63 82)295-2188. Donations may be deposited to Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)-CM Recto, Davao City Branch, Account No. 1522601256 with Swift code RBCPHMM. Further inquiries may be directed to UP Mindanao Pahinungod through 09196398805 (Smart), 09451076756 or 09674194345 (Globe/TM), or by private message to https://www.facebook.com/upmindanao.pahinungod.  

7-8 November 2019 - Pag-aboll 2019: Facets of Mindanao, Apo View Hotel

13-15 - 9^th International Conference on Agribusiness Economics and Management (ICAEM), Waterfront Insular Hotel

22-23 - UP 44^th Regional Alumni Institute, Grand Regal Hotel

DONATIONS FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF AND RECOVERY

Persons from the Philippines and abroad who wish to donate for the earthquake relief and rehabilitation effort may do so through the UP Strategic Research and Management Foundation Inc. with address at School of Management Building, UP Mindanao, Mintal, Davao City, and tel. no. (+63 82)295-2188.
Donations may be deposited in the name of the UP Strategic Research and Management Foundation Inc. to Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)-CM Recto Davao City branch, account no. 1522601256 with Swift code RBCPHMM. Please email a copy or image of your deposit slips to <. Further inquiries may be directed to UP Mindanao Pahinungod through 09196398805 (Smart), 09451076756 or 09674194345 (Globe/TM), by private message to https://www.facebook.com/upmindanao.pahinungod

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS TO MS FOOD SCIENCE PROGRAM

Application to the Master of Science in Food Science program is now open, for admission to the 2nd semester of academic year 2019-2020. Deadline for application is 18 December 2019. Applicant must have a bachelor's degree in food science or related course. Documentiton requirements are a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, transcript of records, and two sealed recommendation letters from employers or former professors.  For further inquiries, email <;.

Conferences

The University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao will hold two conferences in November in Davao City, Pag-aboll 2019: Facets of Mindanao on 7–8 November 2019 at the Apo View Hotel and the 9 th International Conference on Agribusiness Economics and Management (ICAEM) on 13–15 November 2019 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel. Pag-aboll 2019, organized by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), aims to contribute to the shaping and reshaping of Mindanao discourse by bringing scholars and learners from the diverse fields of architecture, humanities, human kinetics, and social sciences together to share histories, perspectives, narratives, and creations of Mindanao. “In Pag-aboll, one discipline can learn from another, especially in issues, concerns, and also in methods of conducting research,” said CHSS dean Jean Marie Juanga. “Pag-aboll” is the Mandaya word for “weaving.” The conference keynote speakers are Mindanao studies scholar and author Lualhati Abreu of UP Mindanao, poet-author and professor emeritus Marjorie Pernia of De La Salle University, risk communication specialist Rotacio Gravoso of Visayas State University, heritage architect Gerard Lico of UP Diliman, and sports director Jose Alther Rivera of the University of Southeastern Philippines. The conference will feature 25 papers to be presented by various scholars on Mindanao studies.

ICAEM 2019, co-organized by the School of Management (SOM) and the Center for the Advancement of Research, development, and engagement in Mindanao (CARIM), will have the theme “Inclusivity, Innovation, and Sustainability in Agricultural Value Chains” and will convene international scholars and practitioners in the areas of agriculture, agribusiness, management, and economics to share researches that deal with issues affecting various nodes in the agri-food chains. The conference is supported with funding from the UP Office of International Linkages and sponsored by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). “ICAEM is about strengthening our research program on the economics of agricultural value chains. Because of that research we are able to develop ideas that can be used that will feed into further research or policy and for other researchers to develop the research program network,” said conference convenor and UP Mindanao chancellor Larry Digal. The keynote speaker of the conference is Rodolfo Nayga Jr., distinguished professor of policy economics and agribusiness from the University of Arkansas, United States. The conference will also feature plenary talks from our international speakers: Grow Asia executive director Grahame Dixie from Singapore, International Rice Research Institute researcher Rica Joy Flor who is doing research in Cambodia, ACIAR program manager for agriculture Howard Hall from Australia, and agricultural economist and RMIT industry fellow Kenneth Menz from Australia. The conference will feature 84 paper and poster presentations and estimated to be attended by over 120 participants. Conference sponsor ACIAR will also launch its storybook G’day, Mate: ACIAR Filipino Alumni Stories during the first day of the conference. By hosting these two conferences, UP Mindanao is fulfilling its mandate to serve as a research university, particularly in the research areas of Mindanao studies and sustainable agri- and biosystems, by promoting research among higher education institutions in Mindanao and the rest of the country and contributing to the dissemination and application of knowledge. Both conferences are endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education. For more information on Pag-aboll 2019, visit http://bit.ly/2MG3cQU; and for ICAEM 2019, visit http://bit.ly/2MFbA34

The Welcome dinner of the International Conference on Agribusiness Economics and Management (ICAEM 2019) and book-launch of the storybook, "G'day, Mate: ACIAR Filipino Alumni Stories" was pn 13 November 2019, Davao City. Sponsored by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). UP Mindanao chancellor and conference director Larry Digal gave the welcome remarks and ACIAR Canberra outreach director Ms. Shannon Miskelly gave a brief talk on ACIAR scholarships and ACIAR's work in the Philippines. The cover of the storybook was presented, accompanied by a slideshow of the featured alumni: Dr. Larry Digal, Ms. Marilou Montiflor, Dr. Glory Dee Romo, Ms. Anne Shangrila Fuentes, Dr. Rotacio Gravoso, Ms. Lilia Vega, Dr. Nelda Gonzaga, Ms. Evy Carusos, Dr. Ana Notarte, and Dr. Delia Catacutan, who gave a response on behalf of the alumni. ACIAR Country Manager Ms. Mai Alagcan gave the closing message. Dr. Larry Digal gave the special citation to conference sponsors who were present: ACIAR, Dole Philippines Inc. (Stanfilco Division), Jabez La Primera Power Corp., and financial namagement partner Strategic Research and Management Foundation Inc. UP Mindanao Koro Kantahanay and UP Mindanao Dance Ensemble provided entertainment and the Dance Ensemble led the community dancing.

Earthquake response

The University of the Philippines (UP) combined its expertise in science and public service with a unified response within a week after the Mindanao earthquakes of October 2019. In the aftermath of the earthquakes, the DSWD website reported that Regions XI and XII had 24,000 displaced persons in evacuation centers and another 7,465 outside evacuation centers with a total of 188,533 affected persons.

UP executive vice president Teodoro Herbosa immediately created the Mindanao Earthquake Response Team and UP Mindanao chancellor Larry Digal created the counterpart Task Force.  UP Mindanao Task Force initiated a donation drive and sent volunteers to help repack relief goods in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).  
On 8 November, a UP team of geologists and the UP Mindanao Task Force arrived in Sitio Flortam, Barangay Batasan in hard-hit Makilala municipality. The geologists, led by Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay and Dr. Genaro Cuaresma, had their first close look at cracks in the road and the landscape and the UP Mindanao team delivered donations to the local residents. At the Office of the Provincial Governor in Kidapawan City, the team met Acting Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza and Acting Vice Governor Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva, who had previously written UP president Danilo Concepcion, to request structural and geological assessments, and psychosocial support for trauma victims. Over the next two days the UP group inspected barangays Kisante, Batasan, Buenavida, Sto. Niño, Buhay and Malasila, and took a helicopter fly-by over Bgy. Bato, all in Makilala. Before departing, they shared assessments with the Incident Management Team and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs) team and vice-governor Villanueva. “Four barangays in Makilala suffered 100% damage,” said Dr. Cuaresma. “Resettlement is the only prospect for those families whose homesites are now uninhabitable,” he said.

CALL FROM UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS INCUBATION OF UP MINDANAO: 

Have an idea/technology that will solve socio-economic problems? Be one of UPGrADE’s incubatees and upgrade your innovations with us. Incubation is Free.
Register your solutions by submitting your concept note. Click: http://bit.ly/2rTYuaq
✅Who are we looking for?
UP Mindanao’s TBI – UPGrADE will incubate today's most creative thinkers
• UP Mindanao constituents
• Start-ups
• Enabling institutions
• Young innovators
✅What ideas/technologies do we support?
UPGrADE offers a number of incubation programs on
• Sustainable Food Systems
• Food Products
• Bio Economy
• Smart Industries
• Green Economy
• Support Community Solutions
✅What support can we give?
UPGrADE will help you grow through:
• Capacity Building Activities
• Participation in startup community events
• Linking with research funding and MFIs
• Providing support on intellectual property rights
• Support networking
• Business model and plan making
• Organizational development
• Mentorship
• Workspace

4TH DR. NELSON NATURAL CUP

The 4th Dr. Nelson Natural Cup was concluded on 17 November 2019 with awarding ceremonies held at the Davao City-UP Sports Complex Football Field. The 2019 champion was the Philippine College of Technology. The 1st Runner-up was Calinan FC, 2nd runner-up was UP Men's Football Varsity, and the 3rd runner-up was Oi! Rogers FC.
Representatives of the co-organizers, the UP Mindanao Siki ni Obli, awarded certificates to the winning teams and the outstanding players and coaches. The organizers extended their congratulations to all the participating teams and expressed their wish for all the participants to keep the football spirit alive, and to uphold camaraderie and sportsmanship in every game.

MENTAL HEALTH FORUM

"Break The Silence, End The Stigma: Let's Talk About Mental Health," a lecture-forum, was held on 11 November 2019, 8:30AM-12NN, at Davao City-UP Sports Complex Training Gym, UP Mindanao, Mintal, Davao City. Welcome Remarks were given by Prof. Larry Digal, chancellor of UP Mindanao. The speakers were Ms. Precious Manliguez, Executive Manager of Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA)-Davao Chapter and Dr. Bihildis Magbunga, Psychiatrist and Chair, Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine-Southern Philippines Medical Center, who spoke on the state of mental health and the common forms for mental health ailments. The keynote was given by Hon. Mary Joselle Villafuerte, MD, Davao City Councilor and Chair of the City Council Committee on Health, who introduced new city ordinances making mental health facilities and services available to citizens. Closing Remarks were given by 
Prof. Maria Teresa Escano, Director, Office of Student Affairs.

PHILIPPINE COLLEGE RADIO CONGRESS
 
The BA Communication and Media Arts (BACMA) students and BACMA faculty Ms. Merle Dawn Comidoy-Acol represented the university in the 4th Philippine College Radio Congress (PCRC) from November 26-28, 2019 at the University of the Philippines Diliman. The event was organized by the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication and participated by around 30 schools all over the Philippines. This year’s theme was Back to Basics which was aimed at reintroducing basic yet essential topics for the operation of college radios in the country such as media ethics, station management, media buying and placement, acoustics and recording, voice acting, podcasting, etc. The sessions and hands-on training were facilitated by media experts including veteran radio news anchor Rey Langit, veteran radio drama actor and director Leonel Benjamin, acoustic engineer Mike Pedero, multi-awarded journalist Roby Alampay, and many more. Next year, the BACMA program is planning to launch the first-ever college radio of UP Mindanao which will be made available online through podcast. The UP Mindanao delegation was the third biggest delegation of this year’s PCRC with a total of nine participants namely: Merle Dawn Comidoy-Acol (faculty) and students Dianne Nicole Capuno, Michelle Angielou Deslate,  Ma. Teresa Flores, Clarice Marcellones, Tracy Shikainah Omalza, Jairus Perez, Trisha Teruel, and Bonizza Sarco.

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As the sixth constituent university of the University of the Philippines, UP Mindanao continues the tradition of excellence in providing higher quality education, research and development, and public service for the people of Mindanao. UP Mindanao aims not only to contribute to the body of knowledge but also to the sustainable development and transformation of Southern Philippines and the rest of the country. Armed with this mission, the university uses its intellectual resources to understand Mindanao’s past while laying the groundwork for its future.

London-based magazine Times Higher Education (THE) has placed the University of the Philippines in the world’s top 500 universities and fourth in the ASEAN region, according to the 2020 THE World University Rankings.The national university is listed in the 401-500 group of 1,396 ranked research universities.

This is UP’s fourth year in the rankings. It was included for the first time in 2017 among the top 1,000. The succeeding rankings showed marked improvement for UP as it climbed to the top 800 in the 2018 edition and to the top 600 for 2019.

THE assesses research-intensive universities based on 13 performance indicators in five pillars: teaching (30 percent), research (30 percent), research influence/citations (30 percent), international outlook (7.5 percent) and industry income (2.5 percent).

For 2020, UP has been ranked 159th in citations which places it in the top 11 percent of prestigious universities that have “influence in spreading new knowledge and ideas.” Its score in citations went up from last year’s 69.1 to 86.9. As indicator of research influence, 'citations' refers to the average number of times a university’s published work is cited by scholars globally. This year, THE's bibliometric data supplier Elsevier examined 77.4 million citations to 12.8 million journal articles, article reviews, conference proceedings, books and book chapters published over five years. The data include more than 23,400 academic journals indexed by Elsevier’s Scopus database and all indexed publications between 2014 and 2018. Citations to these publications made in the six years from 2014 to 2019 are also collected.

UP also scored better in teaching (from 21.7 to 24.1), research (from 16.4 to 17.2) and industry income (from 35.8 to 39.4). A global academic reputation survey partly determines the scores for teaching and research.UP, however, slipped in international outlook, with its score down from 39.5 to 37.9. International outlook considers the number of international students and staff as well as international collaboration.Only two universities from the Philippines appeared in the latest table. UP is still the leading university in the country.

THE publishes some of the most influential rankings used by the global academic community which include the Asia University Rankings, Asia-Pacific University Rankings, Emerging Economies University Rankings,  World University Rankings by Subject and Impact Rankings.

Events scheduled in October 2019 are, as follows:

5-6 October - UP College Admission Test

28-30 - Dula University sports festival, DC-UP Sports Complex Gym

28 - Signing of memorandum of agreement for the Mindanao Genomics Consortium, Room 227, College of Science and Mathematics, UP Mindanao  

28 - Gender Sensitivity Training, Lorenzo Hall, 8AM-5PM

 

Highlights in October, to date, are:

4 October 2019 - UP Mindanao received top awards during the 9th Health Research and Development Expo competitions organized by the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium-XI held on 3-4 October 2019 in Davao City. For the Qualitative Research – Professional/Graduate category, Assistant Professor Kenette Jean Millondaga of the Department of Social Sciences won 1st place for her paper "Women and 'madness' in peasant communities in North Cotabato, Mindanao." For the Quantitative/Mixed Method – Undergraduate Category, received the first and third prizes: Marlon Enano (BS Biology 2019) and Zairel Crish Sarillana (BS Food Technology 2019), respectively. Enano’s paper entitled "Bioassay guided isolation of anti-lung cancer compounds from the leaves of DDHP-2095" is part of the UP Mindanao’s Discovery and Development of Health Products (DDHP) research project headed by Associate Professor Joel Hassan Tolentino (Department of Food Science and Chemistry) and Associate Professor Aleyla de Cadiz (Department of Biological Science and Environmental Studies). Sarillana’s paper entitled "Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) pod husk extract and evaluation of their anti-amicrobial activities" explores new areas in the continuing research of her adviser, Associate Professor Noreen Grace Fundador (Department of Food Science and Chemistry), on the use of waste from local bioresources to assist in the formation of nanoparticles with anti-microbial properties.

5-6 October 2019 - UP Mindanao served as UP College Admission Test Center for Davao City for some 1,182 applicants.  Test Permits were issued by the Office of Admissions in UP Mindanao on 4 October 2019.

28 October 2019 - Secretary Fortunato de la Peña of the Department of Science and Technology and Chancellor Larry Digal of UP Mindanao formally opened the Philippine Genome Center-Mindanao Satellite Facility (PGC-MSF) at the College of Science and Mathematics, UP Mindanao. Davao City Mayor’s representative Lorraida Fabro, DOST-XI director Anthony Sales, PGC executive director Cynthia Saloma, and PGC-MSF director and UP Mindanao professor Lyre Anni Murao stood as witnesses. The Mindanao Genomics Consortium was formed on the same day with the signing of a memorandum of understanding by 14 research institutions from the academic, government, and industry sectors.