During their commencement speeches, the new-elect national and provincial political leaders conveyed to the graduates the importance of imparting the university’s core values to the communities, taking part in building a meaningful living, and accomplishing them at their own pace and time.

One of the speakers, Duterte-Carpio, hoped that the graduates’ journey to the real world would lead them to opportunities that may hone their skillsets and capabilities as individuals and learners and see them become agents of good change in society.

However, another speaker, Roque, reminded them to take it slow, start small, and enjoy the process. “Take your time. Don’t pressure yourself…” he said. “Just simply walk at your own pace… learning what will make you the happiest,” he added. Roque also planted hope in the graduates that their generation would bring prosperity to the nation.

Meanwhile, Quiño, one of the speakers, further encouraged the graduates to build strong relationships with everyone, especially with their families. “We learned that the best way to survive in all obstacles [especially during pandemic] is to have a family and community caring for one another,” he said.

Moreover, Quiño highlighted that the most inspiring relationship that has grown intensely during the pandemic was the relationship with the divine master. “While the churches were closed due to CoVid-19 threat, our individual homes became the living churches. Many of us would say our family prayer every day…the home became the place of prayer,” he said.

Quiño also reminded the graduates that life is short. “We should not waste it for greed, pride, and distrust,” he affirmed.

The University President, Jesus Antonio G. Derije, also motivated the graduates to wave the CMU banners with pride and responsibility as they leave the CMU portals. “Bring our names to places where you can best shine and contribute to the greater society,” he said.

There were 2,046 graduates conferred with1,047 Latin honors during the two-day graduation ceremony. [RGPadoginog]

He acknowledged how CMU has contributed to the transformation of Mindanao as well as the entire nation. Quiño also recognized CMU as a melting pot of great leaders and servants of development in the previous years and the years to come.

The new vice governor-elect also encouraged the graduates to dream and unleash their innate potential to the world. “Do not wait for opportunities to come. Create them…contribute to the world,” he asserted.

“Be an engineer for the homeless, be a teacher for the mountains, be an agriculturist for the poor farmers, be a forester for the marginalized IPs who cannot defend their rights, be a veterinarian for those who kept on failing in their backyard livestock,” he added.

Quiño emphasized that prosperity and economic well-being can be attained best when they transform lives through their gifts and talents. “The more we care for those who need us, the more we enjoy the bounty of life,” he said. Quiño further reminded the graduates that the world today needs more leaders with big hearts that never lie.

“Being the new vice governor of Bukidnon, I hope and pray that CMU graduates of 2022 would help me make Bukidnon the best place to live… our government needs you. Make it a part of your dream,” he said.

Quiño graced the ceremony of the 493 graduates from the Colleges of Education, Forestry and Environmental Science, Information Sciences and Computing, and Veterinary Medicine.  [RGPadoginog]

In her opening remarks, Dr. Florfe M. Acma, Director of CEBREM, pointed out the significance of the celebration through the webinar and emphasized its goal to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. “Coleoptera, the weevils, and the beetles are an integral part of our funnel biodiversity, which we should protect and utilize sustainably,” she added. 

Dr. Acma further stated, “We hope to gain more knowledge, skills, and appreciation for these creatures, which are an important component of this beloved mother Earth.”

Four plenary speakers from the Czech Republic were invited to share their experiences and encourage participants to appreciate biodiversity. The first speaker was Magister Dominik Vondráček, a researcher from the Department of Entomology, National Museum in Prague. He highlighted the 2015 partnership between Central Mindanao University through Dr. Alma Mohagan and the National Museum. 

The said partnerships’ goal is to accumulate basic research data on the island’s biodiversity, allowing additional scientists, students, and institutions to use them in the future. Also, the data could be used by institutions for nature conservation, assisting them in protecting Mindanao’s natural resources. In his talk, Magister Vondráček also emphasized the objective of the collaboration: “We hope, of course, that this data can be later used by you, by other institutions in Mindanao to protect nature for nature conservation and so on,” he added.

The second speaker, Dr. Jiří Hájek, a Research Scientist from the Department of Entomology, National Museum, and Natural History Museum, discussed his research on water beetles with a special focus on Philippine fauna. He believed that there were various unknown species of water beetle in the Philippine archipelago, particularly in Mindanao. He said, “I am pretty sure that here in Mindanao, there will be several hundred undescribed taxa from various families of water beetles which need to be discovered, described, and optimally protected.” In addition, water beetles are also worth studying because they are one of the most well-known insects, according to Dr. Hájek.

Dr. Lukáš Sekerka, Chairperson of the Department of Entomology, National Museum in Prague, presented the third topic, Cassidinae. In his introduction, he listed the cassidinae species that had been identified and expressed interest in exploring cassidinae in the Philippines. “What is also surprising, the biology of the endemic species in the Philippines is completely unknown,” he asserted.

Lastly, Professor Vít Lukáš, a faculty from the Department of Zoology, Charles University, Prague, shared the exciting part of wildlife conservation and photography. He presented photos and techniques related to photography and his experiences in documenting wildlife. He also believes that artistic photography is essential in promoting a topic, especially in this present social media environment.

Overall, the commemoration of International Day for Biodiversity by hosting a webinar on Coleoptera Identification, Curation, and Updates informs, educates, and encourages ways to appreciate and protect biodiversity, especially in the Philippines. [Mary Jane Desalia Bravo]

The orientation aimed to mainstream gender as a social construct and the role of social institutions in reinforcing and perpetuating gender inequalities, recognizing personal gender biases by becoming more aware of gender myths and facts, and demonstrating ability to identify and address gender issues.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Hazel Marie R. Boloron, UCGAD Chief, emphasized that the participants should be able to have a complete grasp of gender as a social construct and internalize how to treat others fairly, not only in the academe but as well as in their respective homes. “So that whatever you have obtained, whatever you have heard, whatever learning experiences you learned today, you should be able to apply it in your day-to-day lives,” Dr. Boloron added.

The orientation for newly hired job order, COS, and promoted CMU employees covered four topics: the talks on Differences between Sex & Gender by Engr. Roger C. Flores, Gender Role Socialization and Development of Gender Stereotype by Dr. Rudjia Faith T. Anino, Manifestation of Gender Biases & Issues by Dr. Josephine M. Gascon, and Gender Fair Language by Dr. Ma. Vivienne Segumpan-Salon.

One speaker highlighted that gender-fair language should be practiced in the academe. Dr. Segumpan-Salon elaborated that using pronouns or words for all gender is less likely to convey stereotypes. For other instances, to avoid being offensive, “you have to ask them how they want to be addressed,” she further added.

Moreover, Dr. Josephine Arbes, the GAD Focal Person of the College of Agriculture, and Ms. Iyren Dalipe-Neri, GAD Focal Person of the Public Relations and Information Office, facilitated the workshops.

Sixty-one participants attended the orientation. The first batch, with 31 participants, consisted of newly hired job order CMU employees, while the second batch, with 30 participants, consisted of COS and newly promoted CMU employees.

As a university, a workplace with a gender-sensitive environment enhances mutual understanding and respect for each other’s roles. (Andrei Solara Jean Azuelo)

_{[Written by: Andrei Solara Jean L. Azuelo]}