BukSU Alubijid faculty  inducted into PhilEASNet at 2026 policy conference

Bukidnon State University (BukSU) Alubijid Campus expanded its extension capabilities and professional network after participating in the 2026 Philippine Extension and Advisory Services Network (PhilEASNet) Policy Symposium held on  October 29, 2026, at Caraga State University’s H.E.R.O. Learning Commons.

Extension Coordinator Aisha Omaimah C. Mamarinta, MPA, and Guidance Designate Maria Teresa Y. Namok, MSAMS, represented the campus at the event and were formally inducted as new members of PhilEASNet during the proceedings.

Centered on the theme “Imagining the Future of Extension: Perspectives, Possibilities, and Pathways,” the national symposium convened academic institutions, extension practitioners, and regional stakeholders to examine innovative frameworks for community development. Three plenary sessions focused on agricultural, higher education, and health extension, covering sustainable food systems, university-community engagement, and digital transformation.

Plenary discussions emphasized the necessity of conducting comprehensive community needs assessments prior to launching extension initiatives, warning against relying on institutional assumptions. Speakers stressed that universities cannot operate in isolation, calling for stronger partnerships with local government units, community groups, and internal university leadership to ensure long-term impact.

The health extension session highlighted the “One Health” approach, which addresses the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The panel urged a shift toward integrated interventions, targeting pressing regional concerns such as zoonotic diseases, mining-related health exposures, climate risks, and food insecurity.

Participation in the event reinforces BukSU Alubijid’s effort to move beyond short-term outreach projects toward evidence-based, sustainable community engagement across the region. (Aisha Omaimah C. Mamarinta, MPA/ Faculty, BukSU Alubijid)