MUSTVolume 3 No. 4 | April 2014

N E W S L E T T E RThe Official Newsletter of Mindanao University of Science & TechnologyC.M. Recto, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro Citywww.must.edu.ph

Agricultural Link Development MOU with Provincial Gov’t sealedBy Anne Lorraine R. Sitoy

With its goal to spur development of an agricultural link with science and technology, the Province of Misamis Oriental represented by the Gov. Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi” B. Emano entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with this University on April 10, 2014 at the MUST Board Room.

The province, through the Provincial Government’s Development Pillar, intends to establish a Misamis Oriental Agri-Science Park and Complex primarily for Agriculture, Science and Technology in partnership with MUST being a grantee of a reservation under Presidential Proclamation No. 739 which allocates a parcel of land of the public domain situated in Barangay Lourdes, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, with an area of almost 300 hectares. Moreover, MUST has the facilities, resources and technology in relation to the development need of the province of Misamis Oriental. In its desire to support the project, MUST will make available part of its property covering about 50 hectares more or less.

During the signing of the MOU, Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras expressed that the signing of the document is an affirmation of commitment by MUST and the province to work together for the benefit of the people of Misamis Oriental as well as nearby places. He also said that the University

Doctorate degree conferment on Cong. Rufus Rodriguez highlights 77th Commencement ExercisesBy Anne Lorraine R. Sitoy

Editorial Board

Editors:Joan J. SabaloAnne Lorraine R. Sitoy

Graphic Artist:Reynann G. Ybañez

Contributors: Kristine Pearl A. Hortilano

Photo Credits: Ren Ybañez, KP Hortilano

WE ARE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!Like our official Facebook Page (MUST Planning, Monitoring and Communication Unit) for the latest university and community updates and photos. You can also follow us on Twitter. Don’t be left behind!

The MUST Newsletter is produced monthly by the Planning, Monitoring and Communication Unit (PMCU) and the information sharing team to liven up information sharing among us. Any part of this newsletter may be reproduced for information sharing purposes.

If you have news to tell, announcements to make, congratulations to send, inspiring stories to share, please don’t hesitate to submit or email it so that we can publish them in the newsletter and the website. More articles are posted at www.must.edu.ph

The newsletter is also available in PDF format. If you wish to receive a copy through email, please inform the PMCU or email us at mustnews@must.edu.ph. Let us hear more about university news and continue to build our university pride!

The Class of 2014 earned another milestone in their lives as they received their diplomas for their doctorate, masteral and undergraduate degrees during the 77th Commencement Exercises on April 2, 2014 with the theme “University of Science and Technology of the Philippines (USTP): Responding to the Challenges of ASEAN 2015 and Internationalization of Higher Education.”

Highlighting the occasion was the conferment of the Doctor of Public Administration degree (Honoris Causa) upon the Congressman of the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro, the Hon. Rufus Bautista Rodriguez, as approved by the MUST Board of Regents on March 20, 2014. His conferment was established on how he raised the standards for legislative effectiveness and versatility, his significant contribution to the widening of the frontiers of knowledge as well as upgrading of the quality of higher education in this part of the county, and his democratizing access to quality higher education.

Cong. Rodriguez shared during the Commencement Address that he was deeply honored to receive the highest honor the academe could give to a layperson like himself. He said that MUST is very close to his heart and that he is one of the most ardent supporters of the University because he believes in the programs and the quality of students that comes from MUST. Its exemplifying performance is the reason the congressman filed a bill in Congress to elevate

MUST to become the University of Science and Technology in the Philippines.

The congressman reminded the graduates to live by the Four Pillars of Mankind for them to succeed in life: the Valor of the Brave, the Justice of the Great, the Prayers of the Good, and the Learning of the Wise.

Cong. Rodriguez had a light moment with the graduates as he joked that the commencement was a question and answer commencement.He will let them enumerate the four pillars of mankind and if the graduates

cannot answer his question, the diploma will not be given to them. In conclusion, he asked all graduates to stand up, face their parents and thank them for their support with a round of applause.

During the Ecumenical Baccalaureate Celebration in the morning, the graduates were also filled with inspiring messages from Msgr. Rey Manuel Monsanto SSJV of the Eco Church, Prof. Basher Linog representing Shiek Macacuna “Amin” Macalantong of the Northern Mindanao Ulama’s League, Inc. and Rev. Ruby T. Bongolan of the United Methodist Church.

will work hard to create an impact and make a change in the lives of the people in terms of instruction, research, and extension.

The governor shared that the plan started as a very small vision with this question: “How come a province as huge as Misamis Oriental not have its own stockyard or stockfarm?” The small vision later developed into an idea of transferring the capitol to a larger area which is at the property of MUST at Barangay Lourdes, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental which will soon become a bustling avenue of academe - industry collaborations.

Gov. Emano also shared his dream for the tourism of the province that is anchored by the eight pillars of transparency: Environment, Infrastructure, Education, Agriculture, Health, Transformation, Cooperation and Peace and Order.

“Hopefully, we will be able to come to an agreement where we will be able to transfer

the provincial capitol (to MUST’s property in Alubijid) and where we can start our joint venture development. Whatever we have in the province, we will be able to share with MUST. I know that this first step will go a long way,” the governor closed.

Congressman Rufus Rodriguez receives his plaque from University President Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras as VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Ruth G. Cabahug looks on.

Signing of the MOU with Gov. Bambi B. Emano, Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras, Ms. Vanessa V. Ascano and Mr. Romeo N. Naces.

NEW HIREES. The University welcomes MS. LERA FAY I. COTIANGCO, Vocational Placement Coordinator III and Head of AIRO, and ENGR. DIOGENES ARMANDO D. PASCUA, instructor of the College of Engineering and Architecture.

MUST, PENRO collaborate for Reforestation ProjectBy Kristine Pearl A. Hortilano MUST and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources of Misamis Oriental (PENRO) will be working hand in hand in the 3000-hectare Reforestation Project by virtue of RA 10452. The new law was signed by President Benigno Aquino III last year mandating the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to plant trees in the public lands of Cagayan de Oro to protect its people and its environment from floods and landslides.

Sealing the partnership was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on April 10, 2014 by MUST president Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras representing the institution and PENR Officer of Misamis Oriental Mr. Edgardo S. Callanta representing PENRO.

Representative of the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez, Congressman Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. of Abante Mindanao (ABAMIN) and representative of the 1st District of CDO Congressman Rolando A. Uy, are the key authors of RA 10452.

Dr. Rotoras shared in his remarks that MUST is a believer in living forever. To have immortality, one must do three things: bear a child, write a book and plant a tree. The collaboration as

FIC STRAT PLANNING. On April 11, 2014, MUST spearheaded a strategic planning for the Food Innovation Center together with the partner stakeholders: DOST - 10, DTI - 10, Office of Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez, and FOPANORMIN. The center is established to cater to the various needs of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras and representatives of PENRO and DENR sign the MOA as an affirmation of its commitment to work together in the Reforestration Project.

ACCREDITATION. AACCUP Accreditors visited the University on April 21 - 25, 2014 to conduct a preliminary survey of the following programs: Master in Public Administration (MPA), Master of Arts in Teaching English as Second Language (MATESL) and Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education (MATSPED). The BS Information Technology and BS Electrical Technology Management of the Jasaan Campus and the BS Marine Biology of the Panaon Campus were also submitted for accreditation.

translated in the MOA is MUST’s manifestation of this belief.

Mr. Callanta likewise shared that PENRO Misamis Oriental is actively implementing the government’s National Greening Program (NGP) by virtue of Presidential Executive Order No. 26, Series of 2011 by taking the lead in the implementation of RA 10452 through collaborations with various stakeholders. The Reforestation Project of PENRO is the first one in Region 10 and the only reforestation project that developed into a law. This is PENRO’s initial step

of developing a protective forest.

The project is located within the Barangays of Dansolihon, Pigsag-an, Taglimao, Tagpangi, Tuburan, and Tumpagon. One of the major activities involved in the project implementation is site assessment which involves surveying, mapping and planning, among others. MUST expressed its intention to support the NGP by providing additional manpower. Students from the College of Engineering will do their on-the-job training by assisting in the site assessment.

The MUST Wall Gazette - PMCU’s Newest Information Sharing Tool

To liven up information sharing within the MUST Community, we have posted our newest information tool - the MUST WALL GAZETTE. The gazette gives you a glimpse of events/activities that involve the MUST community through pictures and corresponding captions. The Wall Gazette is posted at strategic locations inside the campus.

We also post the pictures at the official MUST website as well as our official Facebook Page - MUST Planning, Monitoring and Communication Unit. Campus and community announcements are likewise posted. We encourage everyone to like the page and invite family and friends to like it as well.

We urge all departments and units to send us pictures and updates so that we can include and share your news and stories. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance in covering events/activities. We are looking forward to hear from you :) More power to MUST!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING GRADUATES!

Elmer C. Castillano (Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematical Sciences Major in Applied Mathematics, MUST)

Jo Mark O. Libre (Doctorof Public Administration, Xavier University)

Joel O. Abratiguin (Master in Technician Teacher Education, MUST)

Vanessa V. Ascaño (Master in Public Administration, MUST)

Alex A. Maureal(Master of Engineering Science, MUST)

Floreto B. Quinito Jr. (Master in Information Technology, MUST)