INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM

By Russell Amoroso

After the absence of traditional face-to-face classes and two academic years of no physical student mobility, the University of Mindanao finally reopened the resumption of the International Student Exchange Program for inbound and outbound exchange students starting this 2022-2023 academic year. During the time of COVID-19 pandemic, various webinars and meetings were held by UM Davao to accommodate all inbound and outbound exchange students with its partnered universities tackling the processes of the International Student Exchange Program and procedures to be done after the restrictions of the pandemic will be lifted.

As the blended learning, especially face-to-face classes restarts this academic year, the University of Mindanao welcomes the inbound exchange student from Kainan University of Taiwan (KNU Taiwan), Ms. Saki Sasaki who arrives Thursday, August 4, 2022.

Ms. Saki Sasaki, a take up courses under the AB English program for two semesters this school year.

With the assistance of the university, she was shown around the city for a tour and a meet and greet activity with the university departments and officers after her mandatory quarantine.

“It is my personal choice to study here at the University of Mindanao. They have a partnership with KNU and are known for their webinars and programs offered by both universities. It was a safe trip. It is also great to see the university faceto-face and to meet people personally. It is a fun, fun experience”, Ms. Sasaki stated during an interview.

The exchange program opportunity is made possible by the bilateral partnership between UM and KNU.

UM External Relations and International Student Affairs continues to conduct webinars, meetings, and discussion with its partnered universities around the world to strengthen relationships and accommodate more students

After two years of virtual graduation ceremonies, the University of Mindanao (UM) conducted a face-to-face graduation ceremony, with a total of 1025 students from 11 departments marching their way to get their diplomas as eligible graduates of the academic year 2021-2022 during the 76th Commencement Exercises held at SMX Convention Center last October 19, 2022. There were a total of 106 graduates from the Professional Schools, 144 graduates from the College of Business and Administration Education (CBAE), 106 graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE), 306 graduates from the College of Teacher Education (CTE), 80 graduates from the College of Engineering Education (CEE), 32 graduates from the College of Hospitality Education (CHE), 37 graduates from the

College of Computing Education (CCE), 56 graduates from the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), 112 graduates from the College of Accounting Education (CAE), 27 graduates from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts Education (CAFAE), and 19 students from the College of Health and Sciences Education (CHSE).

Dr. Eugenio S. Guhao Jr., UM’s Chief Academic Officer, spoke on behalf of the entire University of Mindanao when he expressed his gratitude and honor to all of the graduates, particularly to their parents, whose immeasurable contributions were crucial to their success today and the development of the country.

“The University of Mindanao recognizes the wholehearted devotion of the parents to the education of their children. For the commitment to the cultural, social, and moral ad- vancement of the community, and the significant contribution to nation-building through sacrificial efforts with the completion of college education of their children,” Dr. Guhao said during the commencement exercise.

During the closing remarks, Dr. Guillermo P. Torres, Jr., the university president, thanked the graduates for choosing UM for their tertiary education, as he also conferred the degrees taken by the 1,025 graduates with his message. “With your degrees, I am confident that you will have a very bright future.!”

After the UM Loyalty March and the UM Victory March, the ceremony ended with a flash mob as the graduates performed the song “Feel This Moment” by Pitbull featuring Christina Aguillera, much to the delight of the graduates’ families.

UM IS THE “BIDA”

By Ric Diola

The 3 business ideas from students of the University of Mindanao advanced to 16th Business Idea and Development Award (BIDA) final judging to be held on September 23, 2022 at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Office in Taguig. Cutleble is one of the top two (2) finalists for the food category, whose idea was to create edible cutleries or cutleries that can be consumed after use.

Omnia also made it into the finals of the non-food category, with the idea of creating a paper-based water-quality detection kit that determines whether water is contaminat- ed or not.

Finally, Bin + was among the finalists in the technology category, whose idea was to create a technological device that would degrade plastic waste (Styrofoam) and convert it into a biodegradable by-product.

Each team was

Another proud UMians of the University of Mindanao in the College of Criminal Justice Education who made another history of becoming rank 1 in the June 2022 Criminologist Licensure Examination, Mr. Lyen Carel Togonon Garcia studied Bachelor of Science Major in Criminology, Class of 2019-2020 ranked Top

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