CMU holds 1st university student research congr, empowers next-gen scholars

Advancing its commitment to academic excellence and societal progress, Central Mindanao University held its first University Student Research Congress on June 24-25. 2026 at the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD) Hall, College of Business and Management (CBM) Hall, and Center for Natural Products Research, Development, and Extension (CNPRDE) Hall.

Anchored on the theme Shaping Global Leaders through Excellence, Integrity, and Service, the congress featured 49 research studies presented by both undergraduate and graduate students from the ten colleges. To facilitate structured discourse, the presentations were divided into three main categories: Natural Science, Social Science, and Gender and Development.

University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe emphasized the need to mainstream the conduct and presentation of student-led research after years of college-level research congresses and colloquia. He also highlighted that the gathering benefits the entire academic community, noting that faculty and peers alike gain immense value from the students’ insights.

“This gathering provides an excellent opportunity for us all, not only for our students because we are also learning from your outputs, to engage with current research trends, share knowledge, and participate in meaningful academic discourse. More importantly, it encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation of research as a tool for addressing real-world challenges,” Dr. Eballe said.

Dr. Eballe also reiterated that research, alongside instruction, extension, and production, remains a cornerstone of sustainable community and national development. Meanwhile, keynote speaker Dr. Einstine M. Opiso challenged the traditional mindset that research is merely a difficult subject or a stressful academic requirement. Instead, he reframed the discipline as a higher purpose, stating that doing research is also a calling and that every unanswered question or unexplored problem is an invitation to discover the truth.

“Your research paper is more than just a document you submit to a panel, but actually, it is a reflection of your character, your discipline, and your commitment to truth,” Dr. Opiso reminded the audience.

The congress concluded by honoring the top research outputs across several competitive divisions.

Natural Sciences

• Undergraduate Oral: Beatriz Ann Z. Daleon (CISC) secured 1st place for her cattle face image retrieval system using deep neural networks; Ivy N. Yatab (CAg) took 2nd; Angel Faith C. Fernandez (CAS) placed 3rd.
• Undergraduate Poster: Glizzy Go (CISC) earned 1st place for a real-time automated mango sorting machine using computer vision; Chasstene Shynne C. Ragmac (CHE) took 2nd; Mary Ann C. Duropan (CAS) won 3rd.
• Graduate Oral: Edward Laurence Opena (CAS) won 1st place for his study on the physio-transcriptomic responses of Brassica rapa L. to magnetopriming; Ian Jayson B. Lumiano (CAg) claimed 2nd; Mary Ann B. Mamayabay (CHE) took 3rd.
• Graduate Poster: Eidenwin V. Canoy (CAg) clinched 1st place for a comparative hydroponics study on beetroot; Mark Leandro Concha (CAS) took 2nd; Angie Rose V. Tuba (CEd) placed 3rd.

Social Sciences

• Undergraduate Oral: Liam Christian Papasin (CISC) won 1st place for “BUKTRACK,” a commuter bus tracking system; Princess Marie Tomaro (CAS) took 2nd; Chowy Kyle Dalajota (CBM) secured 3rd.
• Undergraduate Poster: April Rose G. Bitang (CISC) won 1st place for the emergency response app “Bukidnon Alert”; Neil Mari A. Dinopol (CVM) ranked 2nd; Glandy Kim D. Tatad Jr. (CoN) took 3rd.
• Graduate Oral: Hero Jun B. Valendez (CEd) claimed 1st place for his study on school administrators’ strategic leadership; Sheila C. Poonon (CAg) secured 2nd; Louie Cristian E. Simbajon (CAS) took 3rd.
• Graduate Poster: Nelly Jane B. Desalan (CAg) won 1st place for an adlay supply chain analysis; Enequerta A. Perater (CAS) followed in 2nd; Cindy Pearl M. Quita (CEd) took 3rd.

Gender and Development (GAD)

Oral Presentation: Princess Marie Tomaro (CAS) clinched another 1st-place victory for her research on women as implementers of peace in Bukidnon; Daven R. Alajid (CISC) earned 2nd for the blood donation platform “LifeLine Connect”; James Beethoven N. Dumao (CEd) placed 3rd.

Expressing her gratitude following the awarding ceremony, CISC’s Beatriz Ann Z. Daleon shared how thankful she was for the opportunity to showcase their capstone project. She noted that she was particularly proud of how helpful their research paper is, emphasizing that its impact extends not just to outside communities but directly within the CMU community itself.

“For winning, we give all the thanks to our research adviser, our panel, and the CMU Dairy Cattle Training and Research Center for their full support in helping us to develop this,” Daleon added, dedicating the success to their mentors and partners. “It is all for them, not just for us.” Through this initiative, CMU continues to align its institutional efforts with global development priorities, particularly in promoting Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). [Johnica Chantal G. Montero]