CMU Food Tech students bag awards, gain int’l experience in Indonesia
Two Central Mindanao University (CMU) Food Technology students earned awards while representing the University at the Diponegoro Exchange Experience Program (DEEP) 2026 at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) in Semarang, Indonesia, from August to October 2026.
Klynth Mar S. Emperado received the Leadership Award, while Karlo Ceazar Gumata was recognized as Best Traditional Outfit in the Male Category during the program’s culminating Cultural Night, where participants showcased their cultures through traditional attire and performances.
Emperado and Gumata joined the exchange under UNDIP’s Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, specifically in its Bachelor of Food Technology program. The initiative brought together international participants from partner universities in Malaysia and the Philippines for academic, cultural, and community-based activities.
Throughout the program, the students attended face-to-face classes, participated in practical laboratory sessions on meat processing, milk processing, and bread and cake technology, and joined student study clubs at the university’s Bakery, Milk, and Culinary Laboratories.
Their academic experience was further enriched by a lecture by Dr. Sheba Mae M. Duque of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) on starch science and technology, and a class on Lipid Science facilitated by Dr. Yoga Pratama, gaining insights into different teaching approaches and learning environments.
Beyond the classroom, they showcased food innovations during the Degree Fair at the Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences and joined the Diponegoro International Youth Festival, which featured international cuisines, cultural presentations, and performances celebrating diversity.
As part of the community engagement component, the students visited Piyungan and Yogyakarta, where international participants introduced innovative food products to local communities with the support of UNDIP, highlighting how food technology can be applied to address community needs and support local development.
Their participation in DEEP 2026 strengthened their technical competencies, intercultural understanding, adaptability, and leadership while broadening their perspectives on food technology education and practice. Through international academic exchange initiatives, CMU continues to strengthen its global partnerships and provide students with opportunities for cross-cultural learning, academic collaboration, and international exposure. These efforts contribute to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. [with information from Mr. Klynth Mar S. Emperado, student, CHE-DFS]
