BukSU IT exhibits AI app on corn crop disease detection at nat’l expo 

The Information Technology (IT) Department of Bukidnon State University (BukSU) participated in an expo on operationalizing AI in the academe, organized by the Commission on Higher Education with an approach to Reimagine Education, Align Skills, Innovate Responsibly, Strengthen Partnerships, Empower Communities (CHED RAISE) 2026 held on February 25–27, 2026, at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City.

Representing the university were College of Technologies Dean Dr. Marilou O. Espina, IT Department Head Dr. Sales G. Aribe Jr., and Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Media Communication (BSEMC) Program Chair Dr. Jovelin M. Lapates.

Lapates, one of the official exhibitors representing Region 10, presented her research titled Corn Crop Disease Detection Using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to Support Smart Agricultural Farming. This system is currently utilized by the Malaybalay City Agriculture Office.

The app, which applies AI to analyze images of corn leaves, enables farmers to identify diseases in real-time. It is based on Lapates’ research, “Corn Crop Disease Detection Using Convolutional Neural Network to Support Smart Agricultural Farming,” and provides both detection and prevention strategies.

Read more: https://buksu.edu.ph/2025/02/24/faculty-research-leads-to-ai-tool-for-corn-disease-identification/

According to the College, the active participation in the event showed BukSU’s pledge to research utilization, community engagement, and technology transfer.

The participation supported the IT Department’s strategic initiatives in research, extension, and academic development aligned with national and global digital transformation goals.

Through active engagement in plenary discussions, policy dialogues, and technology exhibitions, the BukSU delegation strengthened institutional linkages, gained strategic insights on AI adoption in higher education, and reaffirmed the university’s role in advancing inclusive and responsible innovation.

According to CHED, ] the event operationalized the National AI Strategy of the Philippines (NAIS-PH) to ensure that Filipino learners and institutions are AI-ready, future-proof, and ethically grounded. It aimed to leverage Artificial Intelligence not only for operational efficiency but, more importantly, for equity, inclusion, and societal empowerment. (Sales G. Aribe Jr./ Head, IT Department)