Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Two College of Agriculture faculty members brought research from Bukidnon to an international academic forum, presenting studies on climate-resilient farming and sustainable crop production to researchers and academic leaders from across Asia.
Dr. Josephine L. Arbes and Dr. Iris Rosales Pescadero represented Central Mindanao University (CMU) at the 8th University Consortium (UC) Faculty Forum in Thailand, an achievement highlighted by University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe during his weekly University Update at the Flag Raising Ceremony on August 10.
Dr. Eballe said their participation reflects CMU’s continuing commitment to “internationalization, faculty development, academic collaboration, and the advancement of sustainable and innovative agricultural practices.” He also congratulated Dr. Arbes and Dr. Pescadero for representing the University on the international academic stage.
Dr. Arbes presented “Evaluation of the Resiliency of Rice Farmers to Climate Change in Bukidnon Province,” which examined the resilience of rice farmers and the factors influencing their capacity to adapt to climate change.
Dr. Pescadero, meanwhile, presented “Performance of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Sturt) Varieties in Response to Liquid Trichoderma Application,” which evaluated the response of sweet corn varieties to liquid Trichoderma as a sustainable crop production technology.
Their presentations brought local research into international discussions on climate resilience, sustainable crop production, and agricultural innovation. The forum also provided opportunities for research exchange and networking on intelligent agriculture, bioeconomy, food security, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and university-industry-community collaboration.
The forum, organized in partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization–Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEAMEO SEARCA), carried the theme “Intelligent Well-being Agriculture toward Sustainable Development” and brought together faculty members, researchers, and academic leaders from 13 UC member universities across six Asian countries.
The two faculty members participated in the forum on July 27–28, 2026, at Maejo University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where the engagement also included research matching, networking, and discussions aimed at developing future academic collaborations.
This international engagement strengthens CMU’s academic linkages across Asia and creates opportunities for collaborative research, faculty and student mobility, and future institutional partnerships. It also contributes to the University’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). [Iyren Dalipe Neri with information from Dr. Josephine L. Arbes, Faculty, College of Agriculture]
