MSU-General Santos Ranks 2nd Among Top Performing Schools in April 2025 Registered Electrical Engineers Licensure Exam
Mindanao State University – General Santos City proudly celebrates another milestone in academic excellence as it secures the Top 2 spot among top performing schools in the April 2025 Registered Electrical Engineers Licensure Examination (REELE). Achieving an impressive 92.16% passing rate, MSU-GenSan once again demonstrates its unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality engineering education that meets rigorous national standards and equips graduates to excel in their chosen fields. This outstanding performance reaffirms the university’s role as a leading institution in engineering education not only in Region XII but across the country. University officials highlighted that this achievement reflects the collective effort of students, faculty, and staff who work tirelessly to uphold MSU-GenSan’s tradition of academic excellence. The College of Engineering, in particular, has remained steadfast in its mission to provide industry-relevant, innovative, and comprehensive training that prepares students to address real-world challenges in the field of electrical engineering. Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas extended his heartfelt congratulations to the newly licensed Electrical Engineers, recognizing their hard work, perseverance, and dedication. He also expressed his gratitude to the College of Engineering faculty and staff, along with the university’s service colleges, for their vital contributions to this success. “These accomplishments are a testament to the excellence of our academic programs and the shared commitment of our community to produce professionals who will lead and serve with integrity and competence,” Chancellor Abantas noted. MSU-GenSan’s consistent strong performance in professional licensure examinations underscores its mission to develop graduates who are not only technically proficient but also socially responsible and prepared to contribute meaningfully to national development. The university remains dedicated to fostering an academic environment that prioritizes quality, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring its graduates are ready to lead in their respective industries. As MSU-GenSan celebrates this remarkable achievement, it reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of engineering education and supporting students in their journey to become future leaders, innovators, and nation-builders. Congratulations to all the newly licensed Electrical Engineers, the College of Engineering, and the entire MSU-GenSan community for this exceptional accomplishment!
ABE EXPO 2025: Showcasing Engineering Innovations for Sustainable Agroecosystems and Food Security
Mindanao State University – General Santos, through its Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), successfully staged the highly anticipated ABE EXPO 2025 on April 28–29 at Veranza Mall. With the theme “AB Engineering Research and Innovations for Sustainable Agroecosystems and Food Security,” the two-day event showcased the cutting-edge research, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to sustainability of ABE students, faculty, and partner institutions. In his welcome remarks, Engr. Rener B. Tandugon, ABE Department Chairperson, highlighted the essential role of academic institutions in delivering research-based, practical solutions for sustainable agriculture and food security. Messages of support were delivered by university leaders who emphasized the expo’s role in shaping future innovators: Dr. Mishell D. Lawas, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, described the event as “a platform where young minds transform ideas into impactful solutions for society.” Dr. Christine Dawn G. Obemio, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension and Director for Innovation and Research, and Dr. Donna Ria Josue-Canacan, Dean of the College of Agriculture, both underscored the value of student-led research in advancing agricultural development. Day 1 Highlights The first day featured the ABE134 Food Innovation Exposition, feasibility study presentations, and sponsor acknowledgments. Engr. Ronan D. Caligdong praised industry partnerships for their role in fostering student development and innovation. Feasibility Study Competition Winners: Champion: Miracle Bites – A Miracle Fruit-Supplemented Gummy 1st Runner-Up: ReBrewBites’ Kapecaroons – Upcycling Coffee Grounds 2nd Runner-Up: Kamote Peel Siomai by Peeling Good Special Citation for Presentation: Arnold Clear Caijo, Ryzzah Angela Castillo, Christine Mae Avenido, Christine Daños, Eliu Aguilar, Al-Faisal Pagabangan, Rhea Fuyonan, Cindy Mae Belinario, Angelie Lebosada Food Processing Competition Winners: Champion: Peeling Good – Kamote Peel Siomai 1st Runner-Up: ChichaPeel – Cucumber Peel Chips 2nd Runner-Up: Rebite – Fruit Peels Snack Bar Day 2 Highlights Day 2 opened with preliminary activities followed by the Research and Innovation Forum, with keynote talks by Dr. Ryan Banal, Director of the Department of Innovation, and Dr. Keno Jay M. Balogbog, Director of the Department of Extension. Both speakers stressed the need for adaptive, forward-thinking approaches to agricultural research. In the afternoon, students competed in the Technopreneurship Pitching Competition, delivering innovative entrepreneurial solutions to real-world agricultural challenges. AgroTechnopreneurship Competition Awards: Best Pitching: SustainaGrow Best Agrotech: EcoBrix Most Outstanding Innovation: EcoSprout Structure Miniature Competition Winners: Champion Livestock Production: Moolabao Champion Grain & Non-Grains Production: RTMY Inc The event concluded with an awarding ceremony, marking yet another milestone in MSU-Gensan’s commitment to academic excellence, research relevance, sustainability, and community impact.
MSU-General Santos Welcomes Regional Project Monitoring Committee for College of Medicine Building Site Visit
Mindanao State University – General Santos City reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and collaboration as it hosted the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) XII for an official site visit on April 23, 2025. Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas welcomed the delegation led by NEDA XII Regional Director Phlorita A. Ridao to present the status of the ongoing construction of the university’s College of Medicine building. The meeting highlighted the university’s progress in delivering a modern, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to training future doctors and advancing healthcare education in the region. After a detailed presentation on the implementation updates and timelines, Chancellor Abantas personally led the committee on a facility tour of the construction site. The tour showcased various parts of the building and their planned uses, including the recently completed auditorium designed to support academic activities and professional development events. Chancellor Abantas emphasized MSU-General Santos’ dedication to building a world-class medical education facility that aligns with the university’s vision of producing competent, service-oriented healthcare professionals who will serve the needs of communities across Mindanao and beyond. He also expressed gratitude to the Regional Project Monitoring Committee for their continued support and oversight, underscoring the value of strong partnerships with national agencies in ensuring high-quality infrastructure delivery. The visit reflects MSU-General Santos’ commitment to accountability, collaboration, and the continuous improvement of its educational facilities to better serve students, faculty, and the wider community.
Installation of Big Fans in the Gymnasium
The ongoing repairs and improvements to our University Gymnasium are now nearing completion. The majority of the planned works have been successfully finished, ensuring that the gym is safer, more comfortable, and more functional for all students and visitors. This year, the university has installed two high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans—giant fans designed to significantly improve ventilation within the facility. These fans will help maintain better airflow, making activities in the gym more convenient and safer for everyone, particularly during large events and physical education classes. In addition, the university will be replacing the existing basketball boards with new, modern, portable units to enhance the quality of sports training and games held in the venue. These upgrades reflect the administration’s commitment to providing students with facilities that support their holistic development, health, and well-being. The Gymnasium will also serve as the venue for a special occasion this month: it will host several dignitaries for the upcoming University President’s Investiture Ceremony. The improvements ensure that the space will be a fitting, welcoming, and functional setting for this important institutional event. These ongoing investments in our university infrastructure underscore our dedication to building a campus environment that meets the evolving needs of our students and the entire academic community.
MSU-General Santos Receives Multiple EQUATE Awards from CHED for Excellence in Teacher Education
Mindanao State University – General Santos City and its College of Education continue to build on their strong reputation for academic excellence and leadership in teacher education, having been awarded the “Excellence in Quality Assurance in Teacher Education” (EQUATE) Awards by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). On April 2, 2025, MSU-General Santos proudly announced that it received three EQUATE Awards: one each for excellence at the Elementary and Secondary education levels, and a third award recognizing outstanding quality assurance and achievement in both levels. This remarkable distinction underscores the university’s steadfast commitment to providing exceptional pre-service teacher education that meets—and exceeds—national standards. The EQUATE Awards celebrate teacher education institutions that consistently demonstrate rigorous quality assurance processes, program accreditation, and outstanding performance in the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT). For MSU-General Santos, this recognition affirms the College of Education’s enduring dedication to shaping highly qualified, ethical, and compassionate educators who are prepared to lead classrooms and transform communities. Among 1,533 higher education institutions across the Philippines, MSU-General Santos is proud to stand among the 120 recognized universities nationwide and remains the only state university in Region XII to achieve this prestigious honor. This milestone is a testament to the collaborative work of faculty, staff, students, administrators, and partners who share a vision of educational excellence and service to the region. University officials emphasized that these awards reflect the success of strategic efforts to maintain program accreditation, strengthen curriculum and pedagogy, support student achievement in licensure examinations, and continuously improve teacher training aligned with CHED’s minimum standards. In congratulating the entire MSU-General Santos and College of Education community, university leadership highlighted the importance of this achievement not only as institutional recognition but as a commitment to the country’s development goals. By producing highly competent teachers, MSU-General Santos contributes directly to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, addressing the need for equitable, accessible, and high-quality education for all learners. As the university celebrates this well-deserved honor, it also reaffirms its mission to inspire and develop the next generation of educators who will help build a brighter, more inclusive, and better-educated nation. Congratulations to the entire MSU-General Santos and College of Education community!
MSU-GenSan Receives CHED’s Excellence in Quality Assurance in Teacher Education (EQUATE) Award
Mindanao State University – General Santos City is proud to announce that it has been named a recipient of the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Excellence in Quality Assurance in Teacher Education (EQUATE) Award. This prestigious national recognition celebrates MSU-GenSan’s unwavering commitment to maintaining and advancing the highest standards in pre-service teacher education. Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas shared the good news with the university community on March 29, 2025, expressing gratitude and pride in the achievement. The award citation highlights the university’s consistent upholding of the highest standards in ensuring the quality of pre-service teacher education programs, meeting and exceeding CHED minimum standards, achieving program accreditation, and demonstrating excellent performance in the Board of Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT). “This award is a recognition of your institution’s consistent upholding of the highest standard in ensuring the quality of pre-service teacher education programs, following the CHED minimum standards, program accreditation, and excellent performance in the BLEPT,” the official citation reads. The EQUATE Award is designed to recognize teacher education institutions that serve as models of academic rigor, innovation, and quality assurance in the Philippines. By maintaining accredited programs and delivering exceptional licensure exam results, MSU-GenSan’s College of Education has demonstrated its leadership and its mission to produce highly competent, ethical, and committed educators who are prepared to meet the evolving needs of society. Chancellor Abantas commended the College of Education faculty, staff, students, and leadership for their collective efforts that led to this milestone. “This recognition is the fruit of our shared dedication to quality, continuous improvement, and service. It validates the hard work of our teachers-in-training, the guidance of our committed faculty, and the university’s vision to produce educators who can transform communities,” he said. The award also aligns with MSU-GenSan’s strategic goals to strengthen academic excellence, promote quality assurance systems, and support national development through education. It underscores the university’s role in addressing the need for highly qualified teachers who can uplift learning outcomes across the region and the country. As MSU-GenSan celebrates this achievement, it also renews its commitment to sustaining and enhancing its teacher education programs. The university aims to continue partnering with government agencies, accrediting bodies, and local communities to ensure that its graduates are well-equipped to inspire, lead, and serve as agents of positive change.
MSU-GenSan Strengthens Partnership with DSWD XII for Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program
On March 19, 2025, Mindanao State University – General Santos City reaffirmed its commitment to educational service and community development as it proudly announced its continued partnership with DSWD Region XII in the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program. Led by the College of Education, this initiative is designed to provide vital academic support to struggling readers in South Cotabato, Sarangani, and General Santos City through community-based tutoring sessions. The program embodies MSU-GenSan’s mission of fostering inclusive, transformative education that reaches beyond the classroom and into communities that need it most. Under the program, College of Education students undergo careful training to become effective, compassionate tutors. These student-volunteers are then assigned to public elementary schools across the region, where they work directly with disadvantaged learners who require additional support in reading. By delivering targeted, one-on-one and small-group tutoring sessions, the program aims to strengthen literacy skills at an early age—a crucial foundation for lifelong learning and academic success. Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas expressed gratitude for the trust and partnership extended by DSWD XII, recognizing the program’s significance in addressing educational gaps and promoting social equity. “We are honored and grateful to be a key partner of DSWD XII in the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program,” Chancellor Abantas shared. “This initiative allows us to train our students not just as educators, but as advocates for change who are committed to uplifting disadvantaged readers in our communities.” Beyond improving literacy, the Tara, Basa! program also nurtures a strong sense of civic responsibility and service among MSU-GenSan students. By engaging with local schools and communities, the university’s future educators gain invaluable real-world experience, cultural sensitivity, and empathy—qualities essential for creating inclusive and effective learning environments. MSU-GenSan’s participation in the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program also reflects its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Through active collaboration with government agencies like DSWD XII, the university continues to champion educational access and quality for all learners, particularly those who face the greatest barriers. As the program moves forward, MSU-GenSan remains committed to working hand in hand with partners, communities, and students to build a brighter, more equitable academic future for children across the SOCSARGEN region.
MSU-General Santos Strengthens Peacebuilding Through Academic and Policy Collaboration in Mindanao
Mindanao State University – General Santos reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable peace and development in Mindanao through a collaborative academic-practitioner dialogue held on March 10, 2025, at the university’s Conference Room. The event, titled “Revisiting, Reflecting, and Reimagining Peace: A Collaborative Academic-Practitioner Dialogue on Sustainable Peace in Mindanao,” brought together scholars, policymakers, and peace advocates to explore innovative frameworks for advancing peace in the region. Chancellor Atty. Shidik T. Abantas emphasized the university’s dedication to fostering excellence and sustaining the gains of peace. “That’s the reason why I am always happy to see partners working for peace and development in this part of the country,” he shared. The dialogue underscored the growing synergy between academic institutions and peacebuilding practitioners. The Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños highlighted the significance of these partnerships: “This is the best, the most successful partnership that we have initiated with our international partners. Mindanao State University General Santos will be an important partner at this juncture, and I’m so happy that finally, this is taking shape.” Dr. Akira Yamauchi, Director of NUASCI, joined remotely to emphasize collaborative efforts: “Together, we must nurture the essence of peace, ensuring it becomes a lived reality for every person in our region.” He also announced the launch of a research platform uniting Nagoya University’s Graduate School of International Development, MSU-Gensan, and UPLB. A keynote address by Gen. Cesar Yano (Ret.), Chairperson of the GPH-MILF Peace Implementing Panel, delved into the true meaning of peace: “Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It embodies justice, opportunity, and dignity for all. It thrives in inclusive governance, sustainable economic prospects, and social infrastructures that empower communities to rise above the shadows of conflict.” Two panel discussions followed. The first featured experts from GSID and UPLB, examining policy and economic perspectives on peace. The second, led by MSU-Gensan, explored the connection between human development and peace, highlighting education and community empowerment as vital drivers of long-term stability. An open forum encouraged lively exchanges of ideas, while breakout sessions allowed attendees to develop collaborative strategies for the future. The event concluded with a fellowship iftar at the Alumni Pavilion, reinforcing solidarity and shared commitment to building a more peaceful Mindanao.
Juana Can! MSU-General Santos City Celebrates National Women’s Month by Empowering Women Through Skills Training, Savings, and Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities
In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Center for Women’s Studies at Mindanao State University – General Santos City proudly held Serbisyo Para Kay Juana on March 12, 2025, at the Alumni Pavilion. The event brought together faculty, staff, and students for a meaningful day of practical learning and empowerment, reflecting the university’s commitment to advancing gender equality, community development, and economic independence for women. The morning sessions featured hands-on workshops in making dishwashing liquid, liquid detergent, and fabric conditioner. Participants enthusiastically measured, mixed, and bottled their own products, leaving with not only a sample of each but also the valuable skills and know-how to replicate these processes at home. By learning to produce these essential household items themselves, women can significantly reduce daily expenses, enhance household sustainability, and even explore these skills as potential small business opportunities for added income. In the afternoon, participants took part in a slipper-making workshop. Guided step-by-step by facilitators, they created their own customized pairs to bring home. This activity underscored the importance of practical, low-cost skills that can translate into meaningful livelihood projects, encouraging participants to consider ways they might support themselves and their families through small-scale production or sales. The Center for Women’s Studies emphasized that these accessible, replicable skills can make a genuine difference in women’s daily lives—whether for personal savings, added family income, or future entrepreneurship. The event also fostered camaraderie, solidarity, and collective learning among participants, who shared their experiences and ideas throughout the day. As part of the celebration, the Center will also showcase participants’ creations during Culmination Day, highlighting their dedication and creativity. With this event, MSU-Gensan reaffirms its mission to empower, uplift, and inspire women through education, skill-building, and inclusive development, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward a more equitable and sustainable future.
MSU-General Santos Welcomes Partners from Nagoya University GSID and UPLB for Sustainable Peace Dialogue
Mindanao State University – General Santos warmly welcomed distinguished partners from Nagoya University Graduate School of International Development (GSID) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) on March 10 for the “Collaborative Academic-Practitioner Dialogue on Sustainable Peace in Mindanao.” Held at the university’s Conference Room, the event served as an important platform for fostering academic partnerships, exchanging knowledge, and developing effective strategies to support sustainable peace in Mindanao. The dialogue brought together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and peace advocates who shared insights on addressing the complex challenges of conflict, development, and inclusive governance in the region. Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas emphasized the university’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace and development through education and collaboration. In his welcome message, he thanked the visiting partners for their shared dedication to building lasting solutions. “This partnership reflects our shared vision of ensuring Mindanao’s progress through peace, education, and inclusive development,” he remarked. Discussions during the dialogue focused on innovative frameworks for peacebuilding, including human development, policy integration, community empowerment, and the role of higher education institutions in advancing sustainable solutions. Representatives from Nagoya University GSID and UPLB highlighted the importance of transnational cooperation in peace research and capacity-building initiatives that benefit local communities. Participants also explored opportunities for joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative training programs designed to strengthen academic and policy responses to the region’s development needs. The dialogue underscored the university’s role as a hub for peace education and its mission to empower students and local leaders with the knowledge and tools to address root causes of conflict. The event concluded with a renewed commitment among all partners to continue working together, strengthen linkages, and transform shared ideas into actionable plans for the benefit of Mindanao. By fostering partnerships with institutions like Nagoya University GSID and UPLB, MSU-General Santos reinforces its leadership in promoting peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development in Southern Philippines.
