USM Recognized at DOST-PCAARRD’s Search for Best R&D Papers The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) was acknowledged after the papers co-authored by its faculty members harvested top awards during the 2025 DOST-PCAARRD and Regional Consortia Joint Celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the Consortia System on January 30, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Dr. Tamie C. Solpot, the Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute (PICRI) Director of USM, co-authored the paper titled “Etiology, Detection, and Management Strategies Against Pestalotiopsis Disease of Rubber,” that won Best Research Paper in the competition. Notably, in 2024, Dr. Solpot won best second research paper in the same event. Moreover, Prof. Joseph C. Lorilla and Prof. Melecio Jr. A. Cordero, faculty members from the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) of USM, co-authored the development paper titled: “Artificial Intelligence-based Diagnostic Clinic for Detection and Monitoring System for the Management of Rubber Diseases and Insect Pests,” that won second best development paper. Dr. Jill D. Villanueva, an alumna of USM and now the research director of the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technoology, authored both research and the development paper when she was still at the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI). These papers bested 14 other entries for every category across the country. These awards were from the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) conducted on October 14, 2025. NSAARRD is an annual event of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). It is a venue for disseminating the most outstanding outputs of the country and other R&D results. These awards were facilitated by the SOCCSKSARGEN Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SOXAARRDEC) with USM as its base agency with its director, Dr. Julius Jerome G. Ele.

RD & E Highlights

January 30, 2026

Published by Loynei Frias Sumalinog at January 30, 2026

USM Recognized at DOST-PCAARRD’s Search for Best R&D Papers

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) was acknowledged after the papers co-authored by its faculty members harvested top awards during the 2025 DOST-PCAARRD and Regional Consortia […]

January 29, 2026

Published by Charlotte Andrea Tutor at January 29, 2026

Honoring the Pioneers: USMARDC, PICRI Bring Together Retired Researchers, Personnel

The University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research and Development Center (USMARDC) and the Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute (PICRI) honored pioneer researchers and personnel during its […]

January 29, 2026

Published by Jimwell Pande at January 29, 2026

USMARDC, PICRI Jointly Commemorate Anniversaries; CVM Extends Veterinary Services

The University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research and Development Center (USMARDC) and the Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute (PICRI) jointly celebrated their 50th and 40th anniversaries […]

January 29, 2026

Published by Loynei Frias Sumalinog at January 29, 2026

Community Members attend 50th USMARDC, 40th PICRI Anniversary Celebration

With the theme “Cultivating Innovations, Growing Resilient Communities,” the University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research and Development Center (USMARDC) and the Philippine Industrial Crop Research Institute (PICRI) marked […]

January 23, 2026

Published by Extension Services Office at January 23, 2026

USM Visits PFST for Collaborative Planning

Following the formalization of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) and the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology (PFST), USM, through the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (RDE), Dr. Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, visited the PFST [...]

January 21, 2026

Published by Jimwell Pande at January 21, 2026

USM Experts Train 17 Carmen Farmers on Value-Added Squash and Cassava Processing

KABACAN, Cotabato — To address the persistent agricultural oversupply in Carmen, Cotabato, experts from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) conducted a specialized training program for […]