USM Faculty Empower Maguindanaon Women Through Halal Food Handling Training
July 11, 2025
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) stays committed to global sustainability by participating in the Fourth Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC), held on June 16–19, 2025, at the Istanbul Congress Centre in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The congress gathered more than 5,000 delegates from over 100 countries and was organized by Times Higher Education (THE) in collaboration with the Turkish Council of Higher Education. It brought together representatives from higher education institutions, government agencies, industries, and civil society to discuss innovative solutions for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Meanwhile, Prof. Bryan Bretaña, Director of the Office of International Affairs, represented USM in the Philippine delegation led by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The Philippines was among the select countries with a national pavilion, showcasing the sustainability and internationalization initiatives of various Philippine higher education institutions.
During the congress, USM was recognized for retaining its position in the 1501+ bracket of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, marking its second consecutive year in this global ranking. The rankings saw increased global participation, with the number of institutions rising from 1,963 in 2024 to 2,318 in 2025. The THE Impact Rankings assess universities’ contributions to the SDGs through teaching, research, outreach, and sustainable operations.
The four-day event featured sessions on key sustainability themes, including sustainable cities and communities, digital innovation, education and inequality, energy and industry, health and well-being, and environmental sustainability. It also included the live announcement of the 2025 THE Impact Rankings.
