DAVAO CITY — Dr. Mae Anne Mata, Director for Research at the University of the Philippines Mindanao, encouraged stronger support for local research during a media forum hosted by the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA). Dr. Mata is this year’s awardee of the National Academy of Science and Technology’s Outstanding Young Scientist for the field of Mathematics- the first from UP Mindanao and the Davao Region to receive the recognition.

During the forum, Dr. Mata formally announced the Asia Pacific Multiconference, a three-part international research event that will be held in Davao City later this year. Organized in coordination with national and international academic partners, the multiconference aims to gather scientists, researchers, and development practitioners for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The scheduled conferences are as follows:

• International Conference on Agricultural Economics and Development (ICAED) – September 10–11, 2025
  
• Global Biodiversity Conservation Conference (GBCC) – October 1-3, 2025
  
• PAG-ABOL: International Conference on Mindanao Studies – November 20-22, 2025

Dr. Mata emphasized the importance of hosting international-level academic events in Mindanao.

“This is a gift not only to UP Mindanao but to the entire region,” she said. “We are ready to host these discussions here and show that Mindanao can take the lead in research.”

In addition to her role as research director, Dr. Mata serves as Center Director of the Mindanao Center for Disease Watch and Analytics (DWA Center) and Division Head for Complexity Science at the UP Intelligent Systems Center. Her team played a key role in helping the Department of Health with COVID-19 data projections and also developed the RabDASH dashboard for tracking rabies cases in Davao City.

Asked about the value of her national award, Dr. Mata said it affirms the ability of Mindanao-based scientists to contribute at the national and international level.

“It’s not just personal recognition,” she said. “It shows that science can thrive here in Mindanao.”

She also noted that challenges remain, especially in promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research in the region. However, she said more collaboration between academic institutions, local government, and industries can help address these gaps.

“If we do not start creating spaces like these ourselves, Mindanao will always be left behind in national development,” she added.

The Asia Pacific Multiconference is open to researchers, students, educators, and policy stakeholders. Interested participants are encouraged to follow the UP Mindanao Office of Research Facebook page for updates, including paper submission guidelines and registration schedules.

Dr. Mata said the upcoming events will serve as platforms to showcase homegrown research and strengthen Mindanao’s role in the broader scientific community.