Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Central Mindanao University (CMU) convened its 37th Annual Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) In-House Review and Evaluation (AIHRE) and 10th RDE Congress on November 4, 2025, highlighting the call for foresight-driven research and purposeful innovation.
In his keynote address, Dr. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Director of the Office for Graduate Research, The Graduate School, and Faculty Member of the College of Science and Faculty Council of the University of Santo Tomas, challenged CMU to anchor its initiatives on the event’s theme, “Conquering Horizons through Global Foresight, Performance Management, and Innovation.” He emphasized that these three pillars are vital for transforming academic work in the 21st century.
Addressing the misconception that regional universities are intellectually isolated, Dr. Alejandro underscored that geographic distance does not equate to intellectual distance. He praised CMU’s research on indigenous knowledge systems, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture as contributions of global significance.
“The world is in need of your understanding, background, insights, and your unique perspective,” he remarked.
He urged researchers to adopt foresight, which means anticipating future challenges rather than merely reacting to past ones. This proactive approach must guide a new definition of success.
Dr. Alejandro reframed performance management as self-assessment with social relevance, stressing that research must be evaluated not just by publications or citations but by its tangible benefits to communities.
” The best research isn’t always the most published. Sometimes it’s the project that changed one community’s food security. Sometimes it’s the thesis that sparked a student’s lifelong passion for science,” Dr. Alejandro added.
He encouraged institutions to track how they engage with communities, focusing on what research accomplishes and delivers rather than on numbers alone.
Redefining innovation, Dr. Alejandro noted that it is often subtle and integrative rather than headline-grabbing.
“Innovation isn’t always revolutionary. We think it means creating something completely new, something that wins awards and makes headlines. Sometimes, yes. But often, innovation is quieter,” Dr. Alejandro said.
Recognizing CMU’s unique intersection of local and global networks, he urged the university to embrace its dual role as a community partner and a global contributor.
Dr. Alejandro also emphasized the need to break down research silos and cultivate an environment where knowledge flows freely. The most groundbreaking innovations, he noted, often emerge from interdisciplinary collaboration—where agriculture meets technology, and where science intertwines with the social sciences and humanities.
Addressing students and junior faculty, Dr. Alejandro offered reassurance and encouragement, acknowledging the natural anxiety that comes with academic work.
“If you’re presenting your research today, your hands might be shaking. You might worry your work isn’t ‘good enough.’ Let me tell you: every researcher here, no matter how senior, has felt that way,” Dr. Alejandro said.
He also urged the research evaluators to nurture rather than merely critique. Constructive criticism, he said, must be rooted in empathy and mutual respect, serving as a tool for growth rather than a measure of inadequacy.
Dr. Alejandro closed his address with a metaphor on persistence.
“Conquering horizons doesn’t mean reaching some final destination. It means continuously pushing forward, expanding what’s possible, believing that our work matters,” Dr. Alejandro said.
In terms of research, there were 55 completed projects, comprising 20 classified under Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) and 35 under Non-AANR, along with 15 ongoing projects (10 AANR and 5 Non-AANR). Development activities included 10 completed projects (four AANR and six Non-AANR) and 20 ongoing projects (14 AANR and six Non-AANR). Furthermore, 14 theses were presented (eight AANR and six Non-AANR) and three posters displayed (two AANR and one Non-AANR), reflecting the university’s diverse and growing engagement across disciplines.
The winners will be formally recognized during the flag-raising ceremony on November 17 at the University Convention Center. [Johnica Chantal G. Montero]
