SELF-HARNESSING ACTIVITIES TOWARD PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH AND OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS (SHAPERS) is the flagship community extension initiative of the Bachelor of Arts in English Language Program under the College of Arts and Sciences Education of the University of Mindanao. Established in 2018, SHAPERS exemplifies the University's commitment to social responsibility by transforming academic expertise into sustainable community impact through prison education. Rather than providing short-term assistance, the program empowers Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), particularly inmate-educators facilitating the Alternative Learning System (ALS) at Davao City Jail, through capacity-building, values formation, and educational support. The project aims to (1) strengthen the pedagogical competence and leadership of inmate-educators; (2) cultivate teacher identity, responsibility, and personal transformation; (3) improve educational opportunities for incarcerated ALS learners; and (4) foster a culture of civic engagement among faculty, students, alumni, and institutional partners. Implemented annually in Davao City since 2018, SHAPERS adopts a sustainable university–community partnership model that mobilizes faculty expertise, student service-learning, alumni volunteerism, and collaboration with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Its key activities include needs assessment, targeted teacher training, instructional material development, resource-sharing drives, mentoring, research, and program evaluation. In 2026, the initiative trained 21 inmate-educators through workshops on teacher identity, pedagogy, classroom management, and low-cost instructional material development while mobilizing faculty, students, alumni, and BJMP personnel in a shared mission of rehabilitation through education. By integrating instruction, extension, research, and community engagement, SHAPERS advances SDGs 4, 16, and 17 while demonstrating how higher education institutions can become catalysts for inclusive learning, restorative justice, and sustainable social transformation.

“ABNKKBSNPLAko?: Alleviating Reading Struggling Learners Monthly Program” is a banner project of UM Tagum College’s Basic Education Department, designed to assist students of Liboganon Integrated School who struggle with reading. Located in a coastal barangay, Liboganon Integrated School serves learners who have had limited access to structured reading instruction, especially during the pandemic and amid the community's problematic situation. This initiative directly addresses the need for early reading intervention by offering monthly sessions to strengthen literacy skills, including comprehension, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and fluency. The project, which began its implementation in 2022, is jointly facilitated by both the Junior High and Senior High School departments. Its target beneficiaries are 40 students identified through PHIL-IRI assessments—32 of whom exhibit slow- paced reading with literal comprehension, and 8 of whom struggle with basic phonics and syllabic reading. Key activities include monthly reading workshops using the SRA Reading Laboratory by Don H. Parker, small-group instruction, individual mentoring, and regular learner-teacher conferences. The program emphasizes inclusive, individualized instruction and builds on collaborative engagement, with volunteers from JHS, SHS, and department alums participating. Its innovative use of multi- level reading materials, student-volunteer interaction, and community involvement aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals), making the project both timely and impactful in addressing reading gaps in the school/community partner.

The University of Mindanao College of Accounting Education (UM-CAE) Alumni Sports Festival is an annual alumni engagement initiative that transforms alumni participation into meaningful opportunities to uplift students, strengthen communities, and support the University`s mission. Implemented from 2023 to 2026, the initiative was established to foster lasting alumni involvement while mobilizing resources for scholarships, learning facilities, student welfare, and humanitarian outreach. Its primary objectives are (1) to strengthen alumni engagement, (2) provide educational assistance to deserving students, (3) promote student well-being, and (4) cultivate a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility among stakeholders. The project primarily benefits UM CAE students, scholars, alumni, faculty members, and partner communities, while bringing together graduates, university leaders, sponsors, volunteers, and friends of the College in a shared commitment to service. What began as an annual sports festival evolved into a platform where fellowship and camaraderie inspire generosity and collective action. Over four years, the initiative engaged more than 1,000 alumni and stakeholders and generated over P500,000 worth of educational and humanitarian support. Key milestones include sustaining six student scholars, donating four 75-inch classroom televisions and 150 Basic Accounting Books, providing meals and care packages to students during final examinations, and extending humanitarian assistance to communities affected by disasters in Masara, Maco, Davao de Oro and Sarangani. More than a fundraising event, the UM CAE Alumni Sports Festival demonstrates how alumni solidarity can create lasting educational opportunities, strengthen communities, and nurture a sustainable culture of compassion, collaboration, and service.

CHSE UMagapay is a progressive public health and social service framework designed to address a critical systemic gap. While urban health sectors advance, Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) and vulnerable communities remain neglected and continuously afflicted by preventable illness. Anchored on being Committed to Care, this initiative transforms the University of Mindanao’s College of Health Sciences Education (CHSE) into an incubator for active change, molding students into "thinkers and doers" who bridge the gap from social dilemma to sustainable practice. Implemented as a continuous, multi-year initiative (2022–2026), the project operates in three core pillars: • Transformative Community Extension: Research becomes practice through direct field actions, including Pahimangno sa Panglawas (disease awareness), Protektado (maternal-child health), and diagnostic operations like fecalysis parasitic surveillance, blood typing, and sugar monitoring and more; • Tangible SDG Research: A historic Balik-Scientist partnership mobilizes student researchers utilizing advanced medical concepts and explored related fields (Drosophila models for drug discovery), focusing public health studies on neglected communities, translating abstract SDGs into evidence- based solutions for vulnerable sectors; and • Mobility & Capacity Building: Student and faculty mobility, bench-marking (such as programs both in national and international) and advanced biotechnology seminars in the field of health sciences import global healthcare concepts to optimize local competencies. Driven by a defining culture of “People First” and a profound philosophy of being “Committed to Care”, a major milestone of Project CHSE UMagapay is its dual-impact alumni network, which spans dynamically across the country and around the world. By targeting SDG goals at all levels, the college relives its core culture and creates graduates who serve as structural pillars of public service—ultimately bridging the gap by bringing world-class healthcare standards directly into the poorest of the poor communities. Definitive in its purpose, this initiative establishes an exit-ready strategy ensuring that once institutional intervention concludes, the empowered community possesses the sustainable capability to stand on its own.

It is a people-centered initiative designed to strengthen employee engagement, promote well-being, and provide meaningful support to members of the University community. Rooted in the spirit of agapay and service, the program brings together various employee welfare, wellness, recognition, and engagement initiatives that foster a positive, supportive, and inclusive workplace culture. Through activities and support mechanisms that address the personal and professional needs of employees, HR UMagapay aims to enhance employee experience, strengthen workplace relationships, and encourage a sense of belonging within the University. More than a program, it reflects the University’s commitment to caring for its people by creating opportunities for growth, connection, and well-being, ultimately contributing to a more engaged, productive, and thriving workforce.

The i.STAre (Inspiring Service Through Action, Resilience, and Empowerment) Program is a community-driven educational support initiative of the University of Mindanao Professional Schools designed to assist financially challenged Student Training Assistants (STAs). While the University's STA Program offers students opportunities to continue their education, it provides support and additional financial assistance tailored to STA`s specific and daily needs. Launched in 2012 with free lunches and later enhanced in 2022 with cash assistance by the Professional Schools faculty, the program mobilizes faculty members and respective program coordinators to provide voluntary financial assistance and essential support to the STAs assigned to the Professional Schools. The initiative seeks to create a culture of shared responsibility, compassion, and bayanihan while ensuring that PS-assigned STAs remain enrolled and successfully complete their tertiary education. The program primarily benefits Student Training Assistants who are still assigned to UM PS. Key activities include beneficiary identification and assessment, resource mobilization, distribution of financial support, mentoring, and continuous monitoring of student progress. Through collective action and institutional commitment, the project addresses barriers to educational access while promoting student well-being and academic persistence. By strengthening educational opportunities for vulnerable students, the i.STAre program contributes to the University's mission of transformative education and advances the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty, well-being, education, and reduced inequalities.

The Metallophytes Research is a long-term initiative led by the Environmental Science Department (ESD) in collaboration with Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) and DENR XII Mines and Geoscience Bureau to identify, evaluate, and apply plant-based solutions in heavy metal-contaminated environments, particularly in the proposed Tampakan Copper-Gold Project area in South Cotabato. The project aims to identify native metallophyte species, assess their phytoremediation potential, and explore their integration into sustainable rehabilitation practices for mining- impacted landscapes. Specific objectives include: 1) identifying and mapping potential metallophytes; 2) determining concentration and distribution of heavy metals in soils; 3) testing the survival and growth performance of metallophytes; and 4) enhancing growth via mycorrhizal inoculation. The target areas are Barangays Pulabato and surrounding locations in Tampakan, South Cotabato. The primary stakeholders are the local communities, environmental scientists, and the mining sector. This research spans several phases since 2017: • Phase 1 (2017): Identification of Potential Metallophytes Along Proposed Copper-Gold Mining in Pulabato, Tampakan, South Cotabato. • Phase 2 (2019): Potential Tree Metallophytes Along Proposed Copper Gold Mining Project • Phase 3 (2022): Concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals in topsoil surrounding the proposed Tampakan copper-gold project • Phase 4 (Ongoing): 5-Year Trial Planting of Forest Tree Species Inoculated with Mycorrhiza in SMI Copper-Gold Environment Tampakan, South Cotabato This project is one of the few in the region systematically integrating bioremediation into mining rehabilitation frameworks using native plant species, supporting sustainable and science-based restoration.

The “From Waste to Growth Initiative” is a sustainability-driven Green Campus best practice implemented by Trieste Café that demonstrates how a university food service operation can transform everyday waste into valuable environmental resources through the principles of the circular economy. Recognizing the environmental challenges posed by organic and recyclable waste generated in daily café operations, the initiative repurposes lemon seeds, coffee grounds, eggshells, used coffee pouches, milk cartons, and PET soda bottles into seedlings, organic fertilizers, soil conditioners, and eco- friendly planting containers. This innovative approach which started last March 2025 aimed to minimize waste, promote responsible resource use, and support biodiversity conservation while reducing dependence on commercial planting materials and synthetic fertilizers. A distinguishing feature of the initiative is the active involvement of On-the-Job Training (OJT) students, CHE Faculty, and Trieste Café` custodians in waste segregation, seed propagation, preparation of recycled containers, plant maintenance, and community greening activities. These experiential learning opportunities strengthen environmental awareness, sustainability competencies, and leadership among hospitality professionals. The propagated seedlings were distributed to students, faculty and staff and subsequently planted at Loleng's Mountain Spring Resort, extending the project's impact beyond the university through ecological restoration and strengthened community partnerships. By integrating environmental stewardship with education and community engagement, the initiative contributes to the university's sustainaibility goals and advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The project serves as a practical, low-cost, and highly replicable model for sustainable waste management in educational institutions and small-scale food service enterprises.

The Recycled Paper Waste Dispenser Cover is an eco-friendly initiative that transforms used paper into functional and decorative covers for water dispensers. Instead of discarding used bond paper, scratch paper, old documents, and other recyclable paper materials, these are creatively reused to produce protective covers for water dispensers placed in offices, classrooms, and common areas. The water dispenser cover made from recycled paper addresses two concerns which include reducing paper waste and maintaining the neat appearance of water dispensers. It serves as a reminder that sustainability does not always require expensive materials or complex projects. Simple, low-cost and creative initiatives can also contribute to environmental protection and responsible resource use. This practice promotes environmental awareness, cleanliness, resourcefulness, and sustainability. It also shows that even simple materials, when used creatively, can support the institution`s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

ProWESS (Provincial Workforce Enabling System thru Scholarships) is a DOST- funded initiative developed under the Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support System (GODDESS) program. The initiative was undertaken by the UM Digos College to build an integrated web and mobile platform functioning as a scholarship registry, monitoring dashboard, and job-matching prediction system for the Province of Davao del Sur. The system's main purpose is to digitize and enhance the scholarship application, monitoring, and renewal process for the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Provincial Capitol of Davao del Sur, replacing manual, paper- based workflows with a unified, data analytics-driven platform. The web application (accessible at www.davsurprowess.com) serves as the central scholarship registry and administrative monitoring dashboard used by PESO and Provincial Capitol personnel to evaluate applications, visualize scholar data and academic trends, and manage job postings, while the companion Android mobile application gives Capitol Scholars direct, on-the-go access to apply, upload requirements, and track their status. Together, the two platforms deliver three core features: Online Scholar Application, Data Analytics, and Skills Matching. The last feature compares scholars' skills, qualifications, and preferences against industry-posted opportunities to generate job-matching predictions. The primary beneficiaries of the project are the Provincial Capitol Scholars of Davao del Sur, with the University of Mindanao as the implementing higher education institution, the Provincial Capitol as government partner, and local industries as employment- matching partners. ProWESS has been in active development and rollout since 2024, with core modules for registration, OTP-secured authentication, application processing, the web-based monitoring dashboard, and the mobile user dashboard now completed and publicly accessible.

GA, short for Palanga (Bisaya for “dear/beloved”), is the University of Mindanao’s AI-powered student support agent, accessible at https://ga.umindanao.edu.ph. Developed by the Information and Communications Technology Center (ICTC), GA was built to solve a simple but costly problem including students and parents waiting one to two business days for answers, flooding campus offices with concerns that could be resolved remotely, while staff time was consumed by repetitive, high-volume inquiries. GA operates 24/7 and responds automatically in English, Filipino (Tagalog), or Bisaya by detecting the language per message with no switching required. Its capabilities span the full student journey: it answers FAQs and university policies instantly; displays grades and account information securely via Google login; helps students plan their course schedules based on curriculum, remaining subjects, and preferred time slots; estimates fees broken down per exam period so families can prepare financially before committing; evaluates credits for shifters and transferees in seconds, cutting what once took days of registrar back-and-forth; and most significantly, completes fully autonomous student enrollment for all students without any staff confirmation or intervention. When a concern falls outside its scope, GA escalates to live staff with the full conversation context intact. Beyond serving students, GA transforms how management understands the university. Its real-time analytics dashboard autonomously analyzes unanswered questions, groups related concerns, and generates a Pareto analysis without human intervention, replacing what was once a tedious, once-a-year manual review with continuous, actionable institutional intelligence.

The CourseQual is an innovative digital platform developed by UM through the IPAC to enhance the review, monitoring, and quality assurance of course syllabi across the university and its branches. The project aims to ensure that all syllabi are aligned with current educational standards, intended learning outcomes, assessment tasks, teaching-learning activities, and emerging educational frameworks such as SDGs, qualification frameworks, digital literacy, and 21st-century competencies. The specific objectives of the project are to streamline syllabus revision processes, improve curriculum quality, facilitate systematic monitoring, and establish accountability among faculty members, program heads, and academic administrators involved in syllabus development. The project serves faculty members, academic departments, curriculum committees, and students across the UM’s main and branch campuses. Initially proposed in 2023, the project introduces technology-driven innovations that automate key quality assurance functions. These include generating revision histories, identifying responsible personnel for syllabus updates, recording revision dates and academic terms, documenting reasons for revisions, and facilitating updates based on new research findings and disciplinary developments. By digitizing syllabus management, CourseQual promotes continuous curriculum improvement, enhances institutional quality-assurance mechanisms, and supports the delivery of relevant, outcomes-based education throughout the university system.