UPMin's SkAI–ALaM and ASIMOV-HAWKS, together with DOST-PCIEERD, will conduct the 1st Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Conference and Workshop on 14-15 March 2023 at Acacia Hotel, Davao City. The Department of Science and Technology through its Innovation Council, and the Philippine Council on Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) organized the event, which is on its inaugural run. Headed by Executive Director Dr. Enrico “Eric” C. Paringit, the conference seeks “to raise public awareness of the benefits and potential uses of artificial intelligence and robotics in addressing urgent national issues.”

Images from the Conference: Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao gives Welcome Remarks; Chancellor Murao and Prof. Jose Ildefonso Rubrico joins plenary speakers; Proif. Rubrico speaks at press conference; Prof. Rubrico presents SkAI-ALAM; Porf. Rubrico presents ASIMOV-HAWKS;  Asst. Prof. Vladimer Kobayashi presents his Marine Litter research.     

Read articles on the conference here: 

DOST-PCIEERD 

https://pcieerd.dost.gov.ph/news/latest-news/514-dost-up-mindanao-hosts-ph-s-1st-ai-r-d-conference

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1956080/davao/local-news/up-min-prof-develops-ai-tech-to-help-farmers

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1956297/davao/business/experts-ph-has-potential-to-be-ai-data-center

https://edgedavao.net/latest-news/2023/03/17/upmin-positioning-as-ai-hub-in-the-region/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1956297/davao/business/experts-ph-has-potential-to-be-ai-data-center

Mindanao Development Authority’s Sylvester “Bum” Sales (sixth from left) led a team to visit UP Mindanao on March 13, 2023, to invite UPMin’s participation in an agricultural marketing project of the Center for Asian Mission for the Poor (CAMP) to be supported by the Government of Korea. The team plans to hold the project launch on March 31, 2023. Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Annabelle Novero, Mr. Allan Villanueva of the Office of the Chancellor, and Joel Sagadal of the Land Reservation Management Office received the visiting team composed of (fourth from left, to right) Rev. Lee, Chul Yong, and Ms. Cho, Buyoung of CAMP, Mr. Sales, Ms. Chrisel Sales of the University of Southern Mindanao, and Ms. Ronita Buenaventura of UNORKA-Mindanao. 

The University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) 's Rabies Research team was an awardee in Pasidungog 2023: Garbo sa Dabaw, an 86th Araw ng Dabaw event. UPMin Chancellor and Professor of Virology Lyre Anni E. Murao received the award on behalf of the Team in ceremonies held on March 8, 2023, at Acacia Hotel in Davao City. "The City Government of Davao acknowledges your relentless support in the initiatives and programs of the local government in 2022, enabling the city to achieve economic sustainability," stated City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte in the award.

Dr. Cerelyn B. Pinili of the City Veterinarian's Office (CVO) nominated the UPMin Team for contributing to the CVO's efforts in 2022. The nomination cited the UPMin Team's "continuing rabies research, delivery of training for CVO personnel, the policy recommendations contributing to the city ordinance on responsible pet ownership, and the RabCast Rabies Dashboard that helped in the planning and implementing the CVO's rabies control interventions."

The UPMin rabies research started in 2018 with the Synoptic Study on Transmission and Optimal Control to Prevent (STOP) Rabies. This research program, led by Professor Murao, brought together experts from the fields of biomathematics, economics, human health science, and veterinary medicine to do research for a rabies-free Philippines, with Davao City as a case study. It was funded by the Commission on Higher Education's Discovery Applied Research and Extension for Trans/Interdisciplinary Opportunities (CHED DARE TO). In addition, UPMin collaborated with the CVO, Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., Davao City Health Office, and participating NGOs. The STOP Rabies program produced policy recommendations to support the LGU's actions in preventing rabies spread and minimizing human rabies incidence and information, education, and communication (IEC) materials for the CVO campaigns.