01/05/2026
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ | ๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ผ ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ (๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐) โ The University of Mindanao (UM), in partnership with Junior Chamber International (JCI Davao ), successfully concluded the Joint International Conference on Emerging Technologies (ICETI 4) and the International Conference for Interdisciplinary Science and Environmental Solutions (JCI Davao Ecotone 2) held on 29 April 2026 at the UM Matina Campus. Anchored on the theme โA Sustainable Future: Innovations Across People, Air, Water, and Land Through Science, Technology, and Global Partnerships,โ the joint conference convened researchers, professionals, students, and sustainability advocates to advance solutions at the intersection of science, technology, and environmental stewardship.
The conference was organized through the combined efforts of UMโs research and academic units and JCI Davao, with program elements designed to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate real-world applications of researchโparticularly on sustainability, climate resilience, environmental health, and resource management.
๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต-๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ต๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ-๐๐ผ-๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐๐ฎ๐๐
The conference opened with institutional messages from UM leadership and JCI Davao, followed by a keynote address underscoring the importance of aligning science, community action, and leadership networks to deliver sustainable outcomes.
Plenary sessions featured diverse perspectives and research-driven pathways toward sustainability, including:
Plenary Talk 1
Low-temperature COโ methanation and catalyst innovation as a contribution to advanced energy systems (Prof. Tawatchai Charinpanitkul, Chulalongkorn University).
Plenary Talk 2
Academeโgovernmentโindustry R&D collaboration as a driver for sustainability in food and wellness (Dr. Jonel P. Saludes, University of San Agustin).
Plenary Talk 3
Translational health innovations spanning molecular mechanisms to scalable systems impacting people, air, water, and land (Dr. Lowela S. Onggo, DOST-PCHRD Balik Scientist, University of Mindanao).
Plenary Talk 4
Electric-discharge techniques for environmental cleaning, nanomaterial synthesis, surface activation, and energy issues (Prof. Noriaki Sano, Kyoto University).
Plenary Talk 5
Conceptualization to implementation of community-based science projects, emphasizing science that directly benefits communities (Mr. Marlon Suelto, University of the Philippines Mindanao).
These talks were complemented by a moderated Q&A and panel discussion, enabling participants to interrogate methods, policy implications, and implementation pathways for sustainability programs.
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
A key feature of the conference was its set of thematic parallel sessions, structured to align research outputs with practical challenges across environmental and human systems. Presentations addressed sustainability through the lenses of People, Water, Land, and Biodiversity, with moderated discussions that deepened technical exchange and encouraged interdisciplinary engagement.
By organizing dedicated tracks, ICETI 4 and Ecotone 2 reinforced the importance of integrated approaches that bridge emerging technologies with environmental and societal needs.
The program also included an awarding ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions in oral and poster presentations, highlighting excellence in research and innovation among participants.
๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐บ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐๐บ ๐ฎ๐ณ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฎ
In closing the conference, university leadership underscored the importance of sustaining collaboration beyond the event, positioning the joint conference as a platform for continued partnerships, knowledge exchange, and science-driven solutions. Anchored on the conferenceโs thematic areas: People, Air, Water, Biodiversity, and Land; these efforts advance key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) for people-centered development; SDG 13 (Climate Action) for atmospheric and environmental resilience; SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) for sustainable water systems; and SDG 15 (Life on Land) for ecosystem protection and biodiversity conservation.
These are further strengthened by SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), reflecting the University of Mindanaoโs commitment to research-driven innovation and multi-sectoral collaboration in advancing sustainable and inclusive development.
