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Bringing home international recognition, delegates from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) College of Human Kinetics (CHK) received awards, scholarships, and research grants during the 9th International Organization of Health, Sports, and Kinesiology (IOHSK) International Research Conference held at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from July 22 to 24, 2026.
Among the student recipients, Kayle Arbado received the Dr. Thomas L. McKenzie Scholarship, while Alijan A. Akmad was awarded the Lucy T. Shoham Memorial Scholarship Grant. Edjay C. Canonigo received both the Dr. Monoem Haddad Scholarship Grant and the IOHSK Travel Grant, while Nicole S. Ocoy was also granted an IOHSK Travel Grant.
The delegation likewise earned major conference distinctions. Francis Aedreane C. Langit, together with Dr. Ruben L. Tagare Jr. and Dr. Jomar B. Esto, received the Outstanding Presentation Award for their research.
Langit also won the Conference Grand Prix Award, one of the conference’s highest recognitions, for his research presentation. Meanwhile, Dr. Tagare Jr., College Research Coordinator of CHK, received the Special Recognition Award in recognition of his contributions to the organization and his continued efforts in advancing international collaboration and research engagement. He was also conferred the title of IOHSK Fellow.
The University of Southern Mindanao was likewise recognized as the Most Contributing University and was awarded the 2026 Dr. Thomas L. McKenzie Faculty Research Grant, further affirming the university’s active participation in international research and academic collaboration.
Beyond the awards, the University’s participation in the conference created more opportunities for faculty members and students to take part in international research collaborations, scholarships, and academic exchanges. The delegation thanked Dr. Hosung So, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Organization of Health, Sports, and Kinesiology (IOHSK), for continuously opening these opportunities through research grants, travel assistance, and global partnerships. They also expressed their gratitude to USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel for his support for research and internationalization, as well as to Congresswoman Ma. Alana Samantha T. Santos, Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, local government officials, and other partners whose financial assistance helped make the University’s participation in the conference possible.
