MSU-General Santos Chancellor Administers Oath to Promoted and Tenured Faculty
Mindanao State University – General Santos City proudly celebrated the academic achievements and professional advancement of its faculty as Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas formally administered the oath of office to the university’s newly promoted and tenured faculty members on June 3, 2025. The ceremony served as a meaningful recognition of the dedication, excellence, and service that these faculty members have demonstrated throughout their careers at MSU-General Santos. It also reinforced the university’s commitment to fostering faculty development, promoting academic excellence, and supporting the professional growth of educators who serve as the backbone of the institution. Chancellor Abantas expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the newly promoted and tenured faculty, acknowledging their valuable contributions to MSU-General Santos’ mission of delivering quality education, innovative research, and meaningful community engagement. “I am very happy to have administered the oath of our newly promoted and tenured faculty members. Congratulations and may you all continue to serve MSU and the people,” Chancellor Abantas said. University officials noted that faculty promotions and tenure are earned through rigorous evaluation processes that recognize excellence in teaching, research, and service. These milestones not only celebrate individual achievements but also strengthen MSU-General Santos’ reputation as a center of learning that invests in its people. This commitment aligns with the university’s strategic goals to build a strong, motivated, and highly qualified faculty workforce dedicated to producing graduates who are prepared to lead, innovate, and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. As MSU-General Santos continues to uphold its tradition of excellence, it also reaffirms its dedication to supporting its faculty members in their professional journeys, empowering them to deliver transformative education and serve the people with integrity, competence, and passion. Congratulations once again to all our newly promoted and tenured faculty members!
LOOK | Strengthening Global Ties: MSU-Gensan celebrates International Affairs Week with Indonesian Universities and Japanese partners
Mindanao State University – General Santos showcased its dedication to global collaboration during a four-day International Affairs Week that featured significant academic engagements with Indonesia and Japan. The event, organized under the Office of International Affairs (OIA), included visits from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman and Politeknik Piksi Ganesha, as well as a Japanese Studies Workshop with the UP Asian Center and Japan Foundation. The first two days featured Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, a university renowned for its Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, which prepares graduates for global opportunities. They visited the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), where they engaged with the Dean and faculty from the Political Science and Sociology departments to discuss collaborative opportunities and academic initiatives. They also participated in the International Halal Food Festival on November 29, a celebration of halal cuisine that highlighted the rich culinary traditions of Muslims in the Philippines, organized by the students of the Institute of Islamic, Arabic, and International Studies (IIAIS). The latter two days featured a visit from Politeknik Piksi Ganesha, Indonesia’s World-Class Polytechnic with the largest number of students in international class programs. Renowned for its International Certified Campus Designation, the university’s mission to create professional human resources by 2030 aligns closely with MSU-Gensan’s focus on academic excellence and global competitiveness. Both visits included a tour of MSU-Gensan’s various departments, the university Masjid and Fatima Mosque, and the campus museum, offering a comprehensive view of the university’s academic and cultural landscape. The two universities also culminated in a courtesy call and Letter of Intent signing, formalizing partnerships for scholarship programs, joint projects, student mobility, and faculty exchanges. These agreements signify MSU-Gensan’s growing stature in the global academic community. On December 3, MSU-Gensan further enriched its international week with a Japanese Studies Workshop in collaboration with the UP Asian Center and Japan Foundation. The workshop aimed to deepen cultural understanding and promote academic exchange between the Philippines and Japan, offering participants insights into Japanese culture, society, and contemporary issues. Dr. Anderson Villa, OIC-Director for International Affairs, expressed his optimism about MSU-Gensan’s internationalization efforts. “These engagements reflect MSU-Gensan’s readiness to collaborate and innovate on a global scale,” he remarked. Chancellor Atty. Shidik T. Abantas, MDM, LLM, shared his pride in welcoming the international delegates. “It is a privilege to host my first international visitors under my administration. Strengthening internationalization is a key agenda, and we aim to be aggressive in faculty exchanges and other collaborations,” he said. The chancellor also highlighted MSU-Gensan’s top-performing programs in agriculture, engineering, education, and fisheries, emphasizing the university’s competitiveness among well-funded institutions. The visits underscore MSU-Gensan’s commitment to fostering meaningful global partnerships and enhancing the university’s profile as a center of academic and research excellence. With this successful engagement, MSU-Gensan continues to solidify its place as one of the leading institutions for international collaboration.
LOOK | VCAA Lawas receives two prestigious awards for excellence in Electronics Engineering
Mindanao State University – General Santos City proudly congratulates Dr. Mishell D. Lawas, PECE, who has been honored with two prestigious awards by the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IECEP). Dr. Lawas was recognized as one of IECEP’s 10 Outstanding Professionals Awardees for Electronics Engineering of 2024 and also received the 2024 Most Outstanding Electronics Engineering Professional Award for her exceptional leadership, groundbreaking contributions to the field of Electronics Engineering, and her unwavering commitment to professional excellence and community development. Both honors were presented during the 74th IECEP Annual General Membership Meeting at the SMX Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga. We celebrate this remarkable achievement and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Lawas for bringing pride to MSU-Gensan and the entire engineering community!
LOOK | Foster a Smart Self Before Smart City, Smart Governance, stresses AIM DBI Executive Director Prim Paypon at ICEBOX TBI Startup Ecosystem Stakeholders Forum
The ICEBOX TBI Startup Ecosystem Stakeholders Forum convened leaders from government and private sectors on November 17 to discuss strategies for fostering a thriving startup ecosystem in the region. Held at the ICEBOX Event Space, H-Building, the forum highlighted collaboration between sectors as a driving force for innovation. AIM DBI Executive Director Prim Paypon delivered a compelling message, emphasizing the importance of personal growth as a foundation for broader initiatives like Smart City development or Smart Governance. “Foster a smart self before delving into a smart city,” he said, urging participants to focus on self-improvement as a cornerstone of sustainable innovation. Dr. Jypzie Catedrilla, ICEBOX TBI Project Staff II outlined the forum’s focus, “This forum aims to bring together the different sectors to acknowledge the innovations and startup ideas in the region,” highlighting the pivotal role of these sectors in fostering a progressive startup ecosystem in the region. The forum was divided into two panel discussions with topics that highlight the role of the government and private sector in supporting and developing this startup ecosystem moderated by Romeo Jr. E. Tejada, ICEBOX TBI Operations Manager. With the first topic “Government’s Role in Startup Ecosystem Development” the first panel discussion was filled with subjects that revolved around the initiatives by the local government sector in aid for the growing community. Various representatives from the sector joined as the panel members for the first topic; Engr. Hannah Grace Parcon from the ICT Industry Development Bureau – DICT, Giselle Eve Siladan – DOST Senior Science Research Specialist and SICAD SOX Consortium Director, Dr. Leonard Flores – Head of LGU Gensan-CEMCDO, and the representative of Hon. Elizabeth Bagonoc, the Committee Chair on ICT. The forum unveiled the various initiatives done by the government sector, such as awareness activities like simple workshops or seminars to various schools, Startup competitions in the region for professionals and students, mentors’ bootcamps, and creating ordinances in promoting and supporting the innovation industry in General Santos City. The second panel discussion focused on the private sector’s role in fostering the growing startup ecosystem. Leomabell W. Velandria, MBM- Gensan Chamber of Commerce Auditor, Prim Paypon – AIM DBI Executive Director, Lord Bonie Dalinas-CEO and Founder of Custard Apple Outsourcing Inc., and Clint Junsay from the South Cotabato ICT Council shared their insights for the second topic of the forum — “Private Industry’s Role in Scaling Startups”. During the discussion, the private sector presented the various mentorship and collaborations that were done as their initiatives in support of the startup community in the region. During the Insight Hour and Community Mic of the forum, AIM DBI Executive Director Prim Paypon offered a resonant message for innovators, “You cannot give what you do not have. You cannot expect the world to adjust to your product. I cannot be a good startup incubator if I am not a good startup founder.” He also expressed his insights on how to keep the startup community sustainable by detailing his golden rule as an innovator, “to be smart every day.” He emphasized that in a dynamic industry, staying informed and adaptive is essential to success. The forum emphasized the pivotal roles of both the government and private sectors in cultivating a progressive startup ecosystem in General Santos City and beyond.
