USM Recognized at DOST-PCAARRD’s Search for Best R&D Papers The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) was acknowledged after the papers co-authored by its faculty members harvested top awards during the 2025 DOST-PCAARRD and Regional Consortia Joint Celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the Consortia System on January 30, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Dr. Tamie C. Solpot, the Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute (PICRI) Director of USM, co-authored the paper titled “Etiology, Detection, and Management Strategies Against Pestalotiopsis Disease of Rubber,” that won Best Research Paper in the competition. Notably, in 2024, Dr. Solpot won best second research paper in the same event. Moreover, Prof. Joseph C. Lorilla and Prof. Melecio Jr. A. Cordero, faculty members from the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) of USM, co-authored the development paper titled: “Artificial Intelligence-based Diagnostic Clinic for Detection and Monitoring System for the Management of Rubber Diseases and Insect Pests,” that won second best development paper. Dr. Jill D. Villanueva, an alumna of USM and now the research director of the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technoology, authored both research and the development paper when she was still at the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI). These papers bested 14 other entries for every category across the country. These awards were from the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) conducted on October 14, 2025. NSAARRD is an annual event of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). It is a venue for disseminating the most outstanding outputs of the country and other R&D results. These awards were facilitated by the SOCCSKSARGEN Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SOXAARRDEC) with USM as its base agency with its director, Dr. Julius Jerome G. Ele.

Goal 15: Life on Land.

January 30, 2026

Published by Loynei Frias Sumalinog at January 30, 2026

USM Recognized at DOST-PCAARRD’s Search for Best R&D Papers

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) was acknowledged after the papers co-authored by its faculty members harvested top awards during the 2025 DOST-PCAARRD and Regional Consortia […]

January 29, 2026

Published by Loynei Frias Sumalinog at January 29, 2026

Community Members attend 50th USMARDC, 40th PICRI Anniversary Celebration

With the theme “Cultivating Innovations, Growing Resilient Communities,” the University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research and Development Center (USMARDC) and the Philippine Industrial Crop Research Institute (PICRI) marked […]

January 27, 2026

Published by Loynei Frias Sumalinog at January 27, 2026

USM President Celebrates with DA-PCC at USM’s 31st Anniversary

Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, the USM President joined the 31st Founding Anniversary celebration of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Carabao Center at USM (DA-PCC at […]

January 12, 2026

Published by Jimwell Pande at January 12, 2026

BIOnihan Team Strengthens Environmental Reporting in Columbio; Introduces Enhanced Tools for Forest Guards

COLUMBIO, Sultan Kudarat — Continuing its mission to champion biodiversity conservation, the BIOnihan Para sa Kalikasan Project team from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) returned […]

December 16, 2025

Published by Loynei Frias Sumalinog at December 16, 2025

USM Welcomes Another Partner from United Kingdom

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) welcomed representatives from Tropic Biosciences Ltd. of the United Kingdom—Dr. Maricar Salacinas-Niez and Dr. Daniel Ponndorf—on December 15, 2025, for […]

December 11, 2025

Published by Charlotte Andrea Tutor at December 11, 2025

USM Hosts Three Signing Ceremonies During RAISE SOCCSKSARGEN Innovation, Partnerships, & Agripreneurship Pitch Fest 2025

The University of Southern Mindanao, through the RAISE SOCCSKSARGEN Program, held three signing ceremonies on December 10, 2025, at the University Commercial Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato. […]

Sustainable Development Goal 15