South Cotabato Agriculture Officials Visit USM for Learning Sites and Benchmarking
February 12, 2025
BFAR, DA Visit USM to Address Fisheries Challenges, Cold Storage Advancements
February 13, 2025
Kabacan, Cotabato – To empower startups and innovators, the University of Southern Mindanao on Adaptable and Resource-Efficient Technologies-Technology Business Incubator (USMart TBI), a DOST-funded initiative at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), organized a two-session event on February 12, 2025, at the USM Commercial Building.
Mr. Kautin Mamalo III, Project Development Officer II from the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), and Dr. Longfeng Hou, Founder and CEO of MetaBlue Limited and Assistant Professor at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, served as keynote speakers. Mr. Mamalo discussed DICT’s support for the startup ecosystem, while Dr. Hou delivered a lecture on “AI Frontier: Generative AI Insights and Practice.”
More than 150 students and faculty members from the USM College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) attended the event on-site. Meanwhile, faculty members from USM PALMA Campus, USM Kidapawan City Campus (USM-KCC), and various institutions—including Central Mindanao Colleges (CMC), Malapatan College of Science and Technology (MalahSCI), MMG College of General Santos City Inc., General Santos Doctors’ Medical School Foundation Inc. (GSDMSFI), Benguet State University (BSU), and Colegio de Kidapawan (CdK)—participated virtually in the second session.
Following the lecture, participants engaged in a hands-on workshop, where they scanned a QR code leading to a platform that allowed them to create an online game integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI). A monetary prize will be awarded to the participant with the best-developed online game, as promised by the second keynote speaker.
Dr. Jalaloden B. Marohom, USMart TBI Project Leader, outlined the project’s objectives in his opening remarks.
“This project aims to create and develop startups while fostering an entrepreneurial culture among students, faculty members, and communities in Region XII,” Dr. Marohom emphasized.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that product development addresses real community challenges.
“We can achieve this by empathizing with customers, refining problem definitions, and then ideating as we prepare innovative solutions. Additionally, make sure that the prototype is tested and validated before its launching,” he added.
USM Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (VPRDE) Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, PhD, stressed the significance of fostering innovation and collaboration within the university’s startup ecosystem.
“By nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, we empower students and faculty to turn their ideas into impactful solutions that address real-world challenges,” VPRDE Verzosa underscored.
She also addressed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and innovation, advocating for its responsible use.
“The university does not forbid the use of AI; rather, we encourage its responsible use. We want you to use AI in a way that enhances your learning rather than hinders it—to create better solutions and think more creatively,” she added.
The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USM—through USMart TBI and CEIT—and MetaBlue Limited. Joining VPRDE Verzosa and Project Leader Marohom for the on-site signing were CEIT Dean Maricel G. Dayaday, DTE; USMart TBI Mentor Marc Macbeth M. Toledo, MSEE; Joseph C. Lorilla, MIM; and USMart TBI staff member Danilyn A. Flores, MIT. Meanwhile, the partner agency, MetaBlue Limited, led by Dr. Longfeng Hou, signed the MOU virtually.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Dayaday expressed her gratitude to the speakers, participants, guests, and organizers for their contributions to the event and for fostering discussions on AI and innovation. She also reminded participants about the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
“The potential of AI is vast—it’s up to you to use it creatively and responsibly. Sana gagamitin ninyo ang AI nang responsable,” Dr. Dayaday highlighted.
The event marks the beginning of a collaborative journey between USM and its partner agency in advancing AI-driven initiatives.
