MSU-General Santos Research Division

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓

Congratulations to Prof. Ronaldo T. Bigsang of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and Prof. Mario J. Aguja of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, on their achievement as co-authors of a paper published in the International Society of Political Psychology, a Q1 Scopus-indexed journal.

The paper titled “Intergroup political theater: Transforming social representations among peace leaders in contested territories” examines political theater as a novel tool for enabling intergroup dialogue in territorial conflicts in the Philippines. By engaging community leaders of the Guardians of the Marsh and Christian sociologists from Mindanao State University–General Santos City in participatory and culturally embedded theater exercises, the study demonstrates how shifts in social representations can foster more just and trusting intergroup relationships. Findings affirm the usefulness of political theater as a customized tool for dialogue in asymmetric conflicts, while cautioning against conventional approaches that may reinforce divisions.

This achievement highlights MSU-General Santos’ commitment to advancing excellence in research on peacebuilding, social psychology, and conflict transformation.
This paper is available at https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.13065

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓

Congratulations to Ms. Karin Olmedo, faculty member of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities on her achievement as the author of a paper published in the Southeastern Philippines Journal of Research and Development, a Q2 Scopus-indexed journal.

The paper titled "Language Encounters in Public Parks: Mapping the Linguistic Landscape of Davao City, Philippines" examines how multilingual signage in public parks reflects sociocultural diversity and shapes community interaction. Findings reveal that top-down signs are standardized and regulatory, while bottom-up signs are informal and diverse, displayed in English, Cebuano, Filipino, Spanish, and Japanese, serving both informational and symbolic functions.

This achievement highlights MSU-General Santos' commitment to advancing excellence in research on language, identity, and cultural representation. This paper is available at https://doi.org/10.53899/spjrd.v30i2.1289

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓

Congratulations to Ms. Niña Mae B. Nabre, faculty member of the College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, on her achievement as the author of a paper published in Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences, a Q3 Scopus-indexed journal.

The paper titled “Interplay of Integrative Population Structure in Eastern Little Tuna Suggests Reliance on Smaller, Immature Individuals That May Influence the Stock’s Future Growth Potential” examines the growth and sustainability of Eastern Little Tuna in the Southern Philippines. Findings reveal that current fishing practices disproportionately capture juveniles before maturity, leading to growth overfishing and reduced reproductive potential, underscoring the urgency of management measures to ensure long-term stock viability.

This achievement highlights MSU-General Santos’ commitment to advancing excellence in research and fisheries science. This paper is available at https://tinyurl.com/393b4c3f

𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐂 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐑 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Institutional Ethics Review Committee (IERC) convened for its regular meeting November 12, 2025, at the VIP Lounge of the Center for Biodiversity Studies in Socsksargen.

Among the highlights was the discussion of reviewed proposals classified under Full Review, alongside updates on ongoing study applications. Chairperson, Dr. Thucydides L. Salunga, shared key insights and new mandates from the recent Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) training, particularly on study protocols involving sensitive participants and handling vulnerable information. These updated guidelines will be immediately applied to incoming review applications to ensure alignment with current ethical standards.

The committee also discussed ways to strengthen visibility and engagement, including preparations for a Basic Research Ethics Training in early 2026 aimed at enhancing faculty development and onboard additional reviewers in response to the committee's growing scope.

The meeting concluded with Dr. Noel P. Pingoy sharing prospects for future collaboration with major hospitals in the city, reflecting the committee's ongoing commitment to strengthening institutional partnerships and ethical research governance.

𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓: 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐋𝐀 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension, and Innovation (OVCREI) expresses its appreciation to the Makilala Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) for visiting MSU-General Santos as a benchmarking site. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our practices and explore future collaborations in support for research excellence.

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓!!!

We are pleased to announce that the Journal of Engineering, Environment, and Agriculture Research (JEEAR) Volume 4, Issue 1 is now officially released!
All articles in this issue have been published and are now available online.
Explore the complete issue here:
🔗 https://journal-msugensan.org/index.php/JEEAR/issue/view/11
Discover fresh insights and innovative research from the fields of engineering, environment, and agriculture.

📣NEW PUBLICATION ALERT!📣

We are pleased to announce that the Journal of Engineering, Environment, and Agriculture Research (JEEAR) Volume 4, Issue 1 is now officially released!

All articles in this issue have been published and are now available online.

Explore the complete issue here:
🔗 https://journal-msugensan.org/index.php/JEEAR/issue/view/11

Discover fresh insights and innovative research from the fields of engineering, environment, and agriculture.

𝐉𝐄𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

The Editorial Board of the Journal of Engineering, Environment, and Agriculture Research (JEEAR) convened for its regular meeting on November 5, 2025, at the VIP Lounge of the Center for Biodiversity Studies in SOCSKSARGEN.

Present during the meeting were Editor-in-Chief Dr. Lynn Esther E. Rallos, Associate Editor Dr. Florence L. Zapico, and Editorial Board Members Dr. Lumer Jude P. Doce, Dr. Donna Ria Canacan, and Dr. Ryan Banal, together with Dr. Keno Jay M. Balogbog, OIC–Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension, and Innovation.

One of the major highlights of the meeting was the presentation of feedback and key takeaways from the recently concluded National Editors’ Summit 2025 held in Manila, which was attended by the Editor-in-Chief. Dr. Rallos shared valuable insights and updates from the summit, emphasizing the importance of continuously improving the journal’s editorial practices and overall quality.

The agenda also included updates on ongoing journal activities, as well as plans to enhance the journal’s visibility and further strengthen its adherence to ethical publishing and peer-review guidelines.

The meeting concluded with action points centered on implementing recommendations from the summit and sustaining ongoing improvements in JEEAR’s publication workflow, editorial standards, and digital presence.

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊: 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

October 28, 2025 - The Research Division, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension, and Innovation (OVCREI) welcomed Director Dr. Abdul M. Lantong and his dedicated staff, Mr. Mohammad Sendab and Mr. Johair M. Daud, for the formal introduction of the Halal Research Training Center. The meeting explored shared goals in promoting Halal capacity- building programs, developing a curriculum for the Halal industry and consumerism, and pursuing relevant research development and extension initiatives.

With this engagement, OVCREI formally extends its support to Halal-focused training, instruction, and research publication, now recognizing the Halal Research Training Center as part of its institutional domain. This marks a strategic step in advancing inclusive, ethical, and community-responsive under MSU-Gensan's expanding research and extension portfolio.

𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

MSU at Naawan and MSU–General Santos have officially joined forces for groundbreaking research on microplastics in processed seafoods. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to advancing food safety, public health, and sustainability through science-based, interdisciplinary research.

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 | 𝐎𝐕𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

On September 29-October 1, 2025, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension and Innovation (OVCREI), through its Research Division, successfully conducted an article writing training-workshop titled “Enhancing Research Skills: From Concept to Publication.” This workshop sought to equip the participants with the knowledge, techniques, and practical experience needed to boost research productivity, improve manuscript writing, and effectively critique scholarly articles.

The training-workshop was facilitated by Dr. Gaudencio C. Petalcorin, Jr., Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dr. Arnold C. Alguno, Director of the Office of Research Management at MSU-IIT, who provided participants with valuable insights and strategies into writing articles and scouting appropriate Scopus-indexed journals for publication.

Thirty-five (35) faculty members actively participated in the three-day activity, finding it both productive and valuable for advancing their research and publication efforts. During the training-workshop, participants presented their manuscripts, applying insights gained from the resource persons. They received practical and constructive feedback to further refine their work and prepare it for publication to Scopus-indexed journals.

This training-workshop reflects the University’s commitment to promoting research excellence by enhancing faculty members' research skills, supporting their active engagement in scholarly work, and contributing meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge.

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓

Congratulations to Ms. Brenna Mei M. Concolis, a faculty member of the College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, on her remarkable achievement as the author of a paper published in Regional Studies in Marine Science, a Q1 Scopus-indexed journal.

The paper titled “Empirical orthogonal function decomposition of net primary productivity in the Celebes Sea (1998–2023) modulated by climate oscillations” analyzes seasonal and interannual variations of net primary productivity in the Celebes Sea using reanalysis data and statistical decomposition, linking NPP anomalies to monsoons, ENSO events, and large-scale climate oscillations.

This achievement highlights MSU-General Santos’ dedication to fostering excellence in academics and research. The paper is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104447