Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Central Mindanao University (CMU) proudly represented the Philippines at the 11th International Workshop on UI GreenMetric, held from June 17 to 20, 2025, at Université Côte d’Azur in Nice, France. The event convened over 95 countries, and hundreds of universities committed to advancing environmental sustainability in higher education.
CMU’s presentation, titled “Breaking the Waste Cycle: How Central Mindanao University Cut Waste from 30 Tons to 2 Tons,” captured the attention of delegates with its innovative and replicable model of waste reduction. The initiative showcased the university’s strategic interventions that dramatically decreased campus waste—from 30 tons to just 2 tons—through community participation, policy enforcement, and environmentally sound practices.
Representing CMU were Dr. Cecilia O. Bucayong, Director of the Office of Environmental and Safety Management, and Dr. Julie Ann A. Orobia, Chairperson of the Language Education Department, who co-presented the paper.
“Our participation was a humbling and enlightening experience,” said Dr. Bucayong. “It gave us the chance to reflect on our local efforts while also recognizing the broader challenges and opportunities that come with being part of a global academic community working toward sustainability.”
One of the major highlights of the workshop was the signing of the Declaration of Membership to the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking Network. Dr. Bucayong signed on behalf of University President Dr. Eballe, officially recognizing CMU as part of a global network of 1,477 universities working toward measurable, transparent, and impactful environmental actions.
In a statement, President Eballe emphasized the moral and institutional importance of CMU’s new role on the global sustainability stage:
“The formal acceptance of Central Mindanao University as a member of the UI GreenMetric Network is a significant achievement that affirms our shared dedication to transforming CMU into a clean and green university,” he said.
Moreover, President Eballe stressed that this milestone aligns with the administration’s goal of embedding sustainability into all aspects of the university. As stewards of the land, he believes the CMU community holds a moral obligation to safeguard the environment and ensure that future generations inherit a campus that is both intellectually and environmentally sound.
Through its membership, CMU gains access to benchmarking tools, policy dialogues, collaborative research, and capacity-building programs that will further enhance its sustainability efforts. [Iyren D. Neri with information from Dr. Cecilia O. Bucayong, Director, OESM]
