Breaking Barriers and Igniting Innovation at the Araw ng Sulop S&T Exhibit
Written by Irene Faith Makinano
Uploaded on April 22, 2024
On April 22, 2024, Sulop, Davao del Sur, hosted an inspiring event as the Araw ng Sulop S&T Exhibit showcased advancements in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (SETI). The MABIDA Project conducted a distinguished exhibit, presenting its cutting-edge 3D scanning and printing technology and offering visitors a chance to experience its remarkable capabilities firsthand. Attendees were given the unique opportunity to explore the transformative capabilities of MABIDA, which included interactive experiences with its comprehensive marine biodiversity database for fauna and flora in Mindanao.
Visitors marveled at the detailed 3D visualizations of marine life, bringing to life the rich biodiversity of the region. The MABIDA website, described as a treasure trove of marine biodiversity data, offered participants insights into its powerful tools for research and conservation.
The exhibit, organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) PSTO Davao del Sur, was officially opened by Vice Mayor Willie Villegas, alongside local government officials from LGU Sulop and esteemed faculty members from Davao del Sur State College. Their collective presence underscored the crucial role that collaboration and innovation play in advancing science and technology within the local community. The event not only showcased technological advancements but also inspired future initiatives aimed at empowering researchers and conservationists in the preservation of Mindanao’s diverse marine ecosystems.
Other Articles
"Our Daily Fish" Fisheries in the Philippines - Past, Present, and Future
The UP Mindanao Office of Research in partnership with the Coral Reef Resiliency and Ecology Studies (CRREST) Laboratory organized an afternoon of fruitful discussions on the historical records, status, and future directions of reef fish diversity in the Philippines. The discussions were led by renowned experts: Dr. Kent Carpenter of the Old Dominion University, Dr. Cleto L. Nañola Jr. of the University of the Philippines Mindanao, Dr. Richard Muallil of the Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi, and Academician Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute. The event was attended by students, partner institutions, and government agencies in Mindanao which are hoped to continue the efforts of acquiring new information and knowledge transfer in the region through collaborative research endeavors. As an initiative to this collaboration, we had a soft launching of the book — “Data Collection and Analyses for Reef Fish Biology” which was edited by our lab head Dr. Cleto L. Nañola Jr. and CRREST researcher Maybelle Fortaleza. The book will serve as an avenue to streamline protocols and methods on studying reef fish biology and to guide beginners in starting their own independent research.
Ceremonial MOA Signing Marks Collaborative Milestone for MABIDA Project
Davao City, Philippines - On February 24, 2023, a ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between several partner Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and UP Mindanao, representing the Applied Biodiversity Research for the Holistic Advancements in Mindanao (ABRAHAM) MABIDA Project, also known as the Information System for Marine Fishery Morphology and DNA Sequence in Mindanao, took place at the UP Mindanao Center for Advancement of Research in Mindanao. The event, which coincided with the "Our Daily Fish: Kapehan Talks on Reef Fish Diversity & Book Launching of the Data Collection and Analysis for Reef Fish Biology," aimed to strengthen the educational and scientific cooperation among the involved parties and establish a solid foundation for collaborative efforts in marine conservation and research. The in-person event brought together renowned speakers, officials from partner HEIs, and honorable personalities in marine conservation and research. Dr. Kent Carpenter of Old Dominion University, Dr. Cleto L. Nañola, Jr. of UP Mindanao, Dr. Richard Muallil of Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi, and Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute were among the notable speakers. The executed MOAs cemented the cooperation between UP Mindanao, which represented the ABRAHAM Program Projects FishDive and MABIDA, and the partner HEIs. The MOA, more specifically named as Supplemental MOA for Educational and Scientific Cooperation, specified the duties, responsibilities, effectivity and duration, technicalities, and expectations of all parties involved, guaranteeing a coherent and collaborative relationship. Representatives from numerous HEIs were present, both virtually and in person, for the signing of the MOAs. Partner HEIs were MSU General Santos City, Davao Oriental State University, Davao del Norte State College, Southern Philippines Agri-business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology, MSU Sulu, MSU Tawi-Tawi, and Jose Rizal Memorial State University. The combined effort and dedication of these institutions will promote knowledge sharing, joint research projects, and capacity-building activities, thus ultimately developing a more comprehensive understanding of reef fish biology and conservation in Mindanao.
