Central Mindanao University (CMU) proudly celebrates the achievement of one of the faculty members of the College of Agriculture, Prof. Ma. Joverly Molde-Abello, a PhD in Horticulture candidate and CHED-SIKAP scholar, who was recognized as Best Presenter at the 10th University Consortium (UC) Graduate Forum held on June 2–3, 2025, at Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia.
With the theme "Innovative Agriculture and Green Technologies for a Resilient Future," the forum gathered 25 promising graduate scholars from 12 member universities of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), co-hosted by Universitas Brawijaya and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
Prof. Molde-Abello's winning presentation, titled "Exploring the Power of Red Light and Trichoderma viride in Improving Resistance against Fusarium Root Rot in Avocado (Persea americana Mill) Seedlings," stood out in one of the parallel sessions. Her work contributes to the advancement of horticultural practices that align with sustainability and innovation, key themes in this year's gathering.
Reflecting on her achievement, Prof. Molde-Abello shared: "This journey has been incredibly challenging yet rewarding,… I'm thankful to God, my family, mentors, CMU, CHED-SIKAP, SEARCA, and the College of Agriculture for their support throughout this process."
Moreover, joining her in representing CMU and the Philippines was Ms. Janice G. Repaso, a PhD candidate in Soil Science and a fellow CHED-SIKAP scholar. Their participation reaffirmed CMU's vision as a leading ASEAN University.
The forum featured four interdisciplinary sub-themes: Digitalization and AI for Smart Agroindustry, Circular Economy and Sustainable Resource Management, Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Food Security, and Future Food and Functional Ingredients, which offered a rich venue for scholarly exchange and collaborative learning.
Meanwhile, the forum also included on-site visits to the Kayutangan Heritage Area and the Atsiri Laboratory, culminating with an excursion to Mount Bromo, which provided participants with cultural experiences and a greater understanding of local sustainability initiatives.