Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Biodiversity conservation experts from Central Mindanao University (CMU) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), a globally recognized research university based in Indonesia, successfully hosted a webinar titled “Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovative Strategies in Managing Protected Forests for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability” on March 7, 2025, via Zoom.
With the theme “Collaborative Pathways for Global Forest Sustainability,” the webinar provided a dynamic platform for discussing innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges, including deforestation, climate change, habitat degradation, and community participation in forest protection.
Esteemed speakers shared their expertise on protected forest management. Dr. Prasetyo Nugroho (UGM) emphasized the importance of community engagement and governance in Indonesia’s protected areas, while Dr. Lowell G. Aribal (CMU) highlighted the need for advanced monitoring systems, such as GIS and remote sensing, for effective forest conservation in the Philippines. Additionally, Dr. Alma B. Mohagan (CMU) stressed the significance of institutional and international collaboration in wildlife conservation, reinforcing the country’s status as a megadiverse nation.
Further strengthening CMU’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the College of Forestry and Environmental Science (CFES), through Dean Dr. George R. Puno, expressed readiness to offer specialized training in GIS and remote sensing, agroforestry, and biodiversity assessment. In addition, Dr. Raquelyn J. Dadang, Director of the Office of International Relations, highlighted the importance of continuous research, policy development, and community engagement in protecting natural ecosystems.
Meanwhile, Prof. Jason Parlucha shared that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CMU and UGM is set to be formalized in the last week of May 2025 at UGM. This agreement aims to strengthen academic and research collaborations through faculty and student exchange programs, joint international seminars and conferences, collaborative research and publication efforts, and shared access to academic resources and laboratories.
The growing partnership between CMU and UGM traces back to October 2023, when two CMU faculty members, including Prof. Parlucha, participated in a training program on Tropical Agrosilvopasture for Sustainable Nature-Based Product Development in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This initial engagement paved the way for the recent webinar and the signing of the MoU in May 2025. [Iyren D. Neri]
