Home Tags Posts tagged with "UNIVERSITY of Mindanao"
Tag:

UNIVERSITY of Mindanao

CommunityEducation

UM Radio Station now live

by Gio Tanudtanud
written by Gio Tanudtanud

THE UNIVERSITY of Mindanao (UM) inaugurated the “UM Radio Station” at the RTV laboratory, DPT Building, Matina Campus on Friday, May 22, 2026, a new space to train BA Communication students as disc jockeys and radio program management.

The new station is officially live on-air and is open for young and aspiring radio DJs to hone their skills in hosting broadcasting programs, introducing music, reading advertisements, and talking between tracks to entertain listeners.

Students will be able to learn core responsibilities such as song selection, time check, and news segments that are beneficial for their Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BA Comm) course. It will also help them prepare to pursue their careers in the media industry.

UM Radio Station is broadcast worldwide to reach a wider audience, and its equipment was provided by UM Broadcasting Network (UMBN), 92.3 Wild FM, Retro 95.5, Ang Radyo ni Ga!, and other stations.

UM president Dr. Guillermo P. Torres Jr. said in his opening remarks that radio has been part of the university for 77 years. 

He shared that Mindanao Colleges (now University of Mindanao) opened the first radio station in Davao City, “DXMC” in 1949, under the direction of his father, Atty. Guillermo E. Torres Sr., who was the founder.

Later in 1957, Torres Sr. acquired a broadcast franchise to open more radio stations all over the Philippines, and was recognized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

10th ID and UM’s tech giants launch ‘Project AgilaCom’ to shield troops in Mindanao’s conflict dead zones

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE 10TH Infantry “Agila” Division is going high-tech to bridge the communication gap in Mindanao’s most rugged terrains.

Major General Alvin Luzon, 10ID commander, led the formal signing of a partnership with the University of Mindanao (UM) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST XI) on May 6, 2026.

The collaboration centers on Project AgilaCom, an advanced integrated communications system designed to ensure soldiers never lose contact, even in the most geographically isolated and conflict-prone areas.

Unlike standard radio systems, Project AgilaCom features a single platform that connects different communication channels, live GPS tracking to monitor troop movements with precision, voice capabilities powered by WebRTC and military-grade mutual Transport Layer Security (mTLS) to prevent enemy interception.

The system is the brainchild of the University of Mindanao’s research team, funded by the DOST-PCIEERD Research and Development Initiative, and fine-tuned through the operational expertise of the 10th Signal (Masaligan) Battalion.

During the signing at the UM Matina Campus, University president Dr. Guillermo Torres Jr. and VP for Research Maria Linda Arquiza emphasized that academia has a vital role in national security.

By lending their technical expertise, the university is helping create home-grown solutions for the Philippine Army.Major General Luzon hailed the project as a “best practice” for the division, noting that modern warfare is as much about data as it is about boots on the ground.

“Project AgilaCom demonstrates the importance of collaboration between the military, academia, and government agencies,” Maj. Gen. Luzon said. “We are developing mission-oriented technologies that will directly enhance the operational readiness and situational awareness of our troops.”

The initiative aligns with the broader Philippine Army modernization program. By involving the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT XI), the project ensures that the technology is not only secure but also compatible with national digital infrastructure.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Community

2 Davao engineers gain global recognition as APEC Engineers

by Contributor
written by Contributor

TWO DAVAO engineers from the University of Mindanao, Dr. Erdsan Rene S. Suero (BSCE 1988) and Engr. Maria Fe V. Toledo (BSCE 1986), were conferred as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Engineers—an international recognition for professionals who meet globally accepted standards in engineering practice.

The two are among the 49 Filipino engineers who earned the APEC Engineer title, recognized for world-class competence, ethics, and experience.

Dr. Suero, a past national president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers and a State Technical Audit Specialist IV of the Commission on Audit, and Engr. Toledo, a contracts manager based in Singapore and a former officer of PICE Singapore, expressed gratitude for the honor and the opportunity to represent Filipino engineers on the global stage.

“This recognition is not only a personal milestone, but a reminder of our responsibility as engineers—to uphold integrity, serve with excellence, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building and the global community,” Dr. Suero shared.

APEC Conferment Ceremony 2

The conferment was administered by the APEC Engineer Register Philippines, National Monitoring Committee composed of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Philippine Technological Council (PTC) during ceremonies held on March 25, 2026, at the CHED Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City.

Through rigorous evaluation by CHED, PRC, and PTC, APEC Engineers meet international standards—unlocking opportunities to practice across APEC economies. More than a title, it reflects dedication to excellence, ethical practice, and continuous professional development.

This milestone highlights the global competitiveness of Filipino engineers and their continuing commitment to integrity, competence, and service.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Sports

UM Davao dominates Araw ng Dabaw Athletics Festival

by Gio Tanudtanud
written by Gio Tanudtanud

TEAM UM Davao grabbed the overall champion title, earning five gold medals in the open category of the Araw ng Dabaw Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 22, held at the University of Mindanao Track Oval.

Kate Duffy Gel McDowell from team UM Davao was named MVP of the women’s open category 18 and above. Her team is also the champion of the category, taking home five gold medals and four silver medals.

McDowell won three gold medals at the running events of 800m and 1500m dashes, and the 4x400m relay together with her teammates. She also earned a silver medal at the 3000m dash.

1st runner-up of the open category is the North Eastern Mindanao State University with three gold medals.

2nd runner-up is team UM Tagum with only two gold medals.

The Araw ng Dabaw Athletics Festival Season 4 launched from Mar 21 to 22, participated by almost 700 young athletes to compete in running, throwing, and jumping events.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

3 UM grads are February 2026 Criminology Licensure Exam topnotchers

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THREE graduates from the University of Mindanao landed in the Top 10 of the February 2026 Criminologist Licensure Examination.

This includes Top 9, Christelle Jane Burlaza Evarolo from UM Bansalan, who posted an outstanding score of 91.90%.

The other topnotchers were Top 10, Elruegemm Albiso, a Cum Laude from UM Tagum, and Guil Shaira Lomanta, a Summa Cum Laude from UM Main, posting 91.85% rating.

The results sustained the University’s status as a premier institution in Criminology as recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

PRC data reported that three UM campuses secured spots among the Top Performing Schools.

For the category 101-199 examinees, UM Main placed 4th with a passing rate of 93.97%. UM Main also posted a 96.40% passing rate of first-time takers.

UM Digos, on the other hand, placed 5th under the 51-100 examinees category with 96.43% passing rate. It also posted a 96.23 passing rate for first-time takers.

Meanwhile, UM Tagum placed 7th under the 200+ examinees category with a passing rate of 86.34%.

“This collective achievement reaffirms the University’s long-standing commitment to producing high-caliber professionals in the field of criminal justice,” the university stated, lauding the new Licensed Criminologists and the faculty of the respective branches.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
EducationNews

UM offers affordable online graduate programs in communication and applied linguistics

by Contributor
written by Contributor

 BY SHETORI ROBLES AND MERRY CRIS DURON/DNSC Interns 

THE UNIVERSITY of Mindanao (UM), recognized for its autonomous status, highlighted its CHED-applied online distance education learning program for master’s and doctorate classes in communication and applied linguistics.

The program is handled by the UM Professional Schools (UMPS), with a low-cost down payment starting at ₱2,700.

During a press conference held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on March 11, Dr. Elizabeth Malonzo, UM Professional Schools marketing officer, said online mode will help students achieve a better work-life balance.

“With regard to our online modality, it really helps students because we have three sessions in one semester. Each subject is only held for six Saturdays, so after six Saturdays, once one subject is finished, another subject begins,” Malonzo said.

UMPS offers a flexible schedule scheme, covering 36 units in two years at approximately ₱20,000 per semester. Classes are confined to Saturdays only and conducted virtually through Blackboard, an online learning platform for convenient learning access. 

Additionally, she emphasized the university’s initiative to prioritize seamless enrollment processing.

“You may even enroll online and pay online, so it’s very convenient to be a part of UM Professional Schools,” she added. 

Enrollees can now pursue master’s and doctorate degrees remotely and may reduce expenses through their offered flexible learning approach.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Opinion

ROUGH CUTS | Why not explore ACQ’s ‘power’?

by Vic Sumalinog
written by Vic Sumalinog

SO, NINE more vehicles are added to Davao City’s local government Libreng Sakay Program? No, not for everybody in the designated barangay beneficiaries. Rather, these vehicles are for the students who go to school in their respective villages.

Lucky are those barangays in the city that are given the vehicles. For certain, the parents of students will be relieved of the day-to-day transportation expenses they have to foot for their school-age children. But what about the fuel and maintenance cost? Who will shoulder the same? Will the city provide a budget for the vehicles’ drivers? Or, will the expenses for the purpose be charged against the approved budget of the barangay beneficiaries?

Meanwhile, there must be some measures to be adopted so that the vehicles are not abused by the officials of the barangays.. That is, the vehicles should not be used for personal and other non-official trips like family outings and others.

                                                      ****************************

Yesterday, we wrote about the rumor that the national administration is set to appoint a mayor for Davao City. According to the rumor, the appointee will be taking over the position from the duly elected city mayor, former President Rodrigo R. Dutert,e who was unable to assume because he was – and still is – in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) prison in The Hague, Netherlands. He failed to take his oath.

In his failure to assume the position, Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte serves as acting mayor of Davao City. Then came this rumor that somebody will be appointed mayor anytime soon. But on the same issue of this paper’s online edition, screams the headline that the position of Davao City mayor is “Deemed vacant”. And by tomorrow, Nov. 13, Vice Mayor Baste “takes over as mayor, Rodrigo II as Vice Mayor.”

What is going on? What is really true between the two conflicting information? Davaoeños are now at a loss as to what to believe in this time of disinformation, fake news, and intrigue.

                                                      *******************************

This one is kind of a weird suggestion. But there is no harm in trying. Who knows, it might work, and the government might be able to save a lot in terms of human lives and the cost of rebuilding destruction.

For certain, Filipinos can very well remember the controversial Pastor of the religious sect “Jesus, the Name Above Every Name,” Apollo C. Quiboloy. The Pastor, in several instances, claimed that he has the power to “stop the storm, or an earthquake.”

Right now, he is languishing in jail for non-bailable charges. What if the government allows the Pastor to prove that he indeed can stop such disasters as earthquakes and typhoons? Well, never mind earthquakes. These will stop in less than a minute. Just focus on typhoons that usually trigger massive flooding.

If indeed the religious leader can stop a typhoon on its way to anywhere in the Philippines, the government can reward him with exoneration from his cases. Meaning he can be set free. If he cannot, then his litigation proceeds.

Maybe the Department of Justice can explore that option just to save the country from further physical destruction and financial drain.

Levity aside, what we are saying here is that the government must optimize all possible options to ensure the safety of lives, properties, and infrastructures when disasters of all kinds threaten the country.

                                                         ***************************

We extend our congratulations to the management of the University of Mindanao with Guillermo “Willie” Torres, Jr. as President. UM has joined the few elite schools that made it to the rankings of the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings, landing in the 1301 -1400 bracket.

But of course, with WT on top, a lot of innovations in university management have been introduced and adopted. And these are now paying off.

More power, Boss Willie, and your team in the school management.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Education

UM debuts at 2026 Asia University Rankings

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE UNIVERSITY of Mindanao debuted at the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2026, landing in the 1301–1400 bracket.

From earning a 3-Star QS Rating in July, UM placed 203rd in Southeast Asia in the QS Asia University Rankings.

“UM proudly stands as the only HEI in the Davao Region to be recognized with both the QS Stars Rating and inclusion in the QS Asia University Rankings—a testament to its academic excellence, global competitiveness, and transformative education,” UM said in a press release.

UM, among 253 universities in Asia and 35 from the country, continues “to shine as a leading university in Mindanao, representing the region’s growing prominence in international higher education.”

The QS Asia University Rankings, organized by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), is one of the world’s most respected university ranking systems.

QS evaluated universities based on 11 key indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, international research network, citations per paper, papers per faculty, and staff with a PhD.

It also measured the ratio of international faculty and students, including inbound and outbound exchange programs.

The University of Hong Kong leads the 2026 QS Asia rankings, followed by Peking University in China. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore are in the third spot.

“This debut marks a historic moment for the UM community—proving once again that Mindanaoan excellence stands strong on the global stage,” UM added.

Of the 35 universities in the country, the University of the Philippines (UP) ranked top school at 104th place. Ateneo de Manila University ranked 141st, followed by De La Salle University at 178th. 

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) was fourth placer, ranking 184th, while Adamson University ranked fifth at 464th.

University of San Carlos placed sixth at 507th, followed by Mapúa University placing 544th, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines placing 671st, and Silliman University as 694th.

Meanwhile, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) placed in the top ten out of Philippine institutions at the 731–740 bracket

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

UM-Davao yields 10 topnotchers in September ‘25 Social Work licensure exam

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

TEN GRADUATES from the University of Mindanao-Davao City landed in the Top 10 of the September 2025 Social Worker Licensure Exam (SWLE).

This includes Top 1, Desiree Alimbon, who posted an outstanding score of 90.80%.

The other topnotchers from UM-Davao were Ailyn Maute and Jaylo Tanudra who both claimed Top 3 with a rating of 90.40%; and Dynah Jane Aguilar who secured Top 8 with 89.40%.

Meanwhile, Maebhret Mabida, Riolie Chris Salvacion, Myls Sarza and Kheazel Uy were Top 9 with ratings of 89.20%; and Michelle Joice Tejada and Xinia Balao were Top 10 with 89.00%.UM Davao also placed 7th for performing schools with 51 or more examinees and with at least 80% passing percentage.A total of 142 out of 147 examinees passed, posting a 96.60% passing percentage.

Meanwhile, for the first time takers, UM posted a 98.56% passing rate.The Professional Regulation Commission announced that 7,334 out of 9,647 successfully passed the September 2025 SWLE, with a national passing rate of 76.02%.

To note, UM-Davao also produced three topnotchers in 2024 SWLE: Christian Paolo Gallardo and Cheska Ysabella Tingzon were Top 7 with 85.80%; and Rosalinda Sario was Top 10 with 85.20%.

It also placed UM to rank seventh in the Philippines among institutions with 51 or more licensure exam takers.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Science & Technology

DOST Balik Scientists showcase waste-to-energy innovations at UM

by Gio Tanudtanud
written by Gio Tanudtanud

THE BALIK Scientists of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) embarked on their groundbreaking research journey on nanotechnology and smart systems in achieving green innovations through industrial waste transformations.

Two Balik scientists from DOST-PCIEERD (Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development), Dr. Khino Parohinog and Dr. Chosel Lawagon, presented their cutting-edge breakthroughs and innovative key projects at the University of Mindanao (UM) Matina campus on Aug 13. 

These DOST-funded projects are the Center of Aerogel Technology for Energy and Environment (CATEE), Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE), the AIRGAS on upcycling agricultural and industrial waste, and other projects led by engineers that contribute to sustainable solutions and are designed for real-world impact.

Parohinog, an expert in nanomaterials for resource recovery and environmental remediation, went through six segments throughout his research, which are hosted at three academic institutions (University of Mindanao, University of St. La Salle, and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos), project and proposals, partnerships, presentation, training people, and publication.

His period of engagement as a medium-term Balik scientist began Feb 5, 2024, until Apr 14, 2025.

The Balik Scientist Program (BPS) has served as a critical platform for Filipino scientists abroad to return and share their knowledge and expertise. This also fosters innovation as well as capacity building.

The program involves long-term research collaborations that are aligned with national priorities in sustainable development and environmental solutions.

BPS milestones include the inauguration of the Center of Green Nanotechnology Innovations for Environmental Solutions (CGNIES) research facility in August 2021 and the UM Biomolecular Engineering Laboratory (UMBEL) in July 2024.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Verified by MonsterInsights