Five UM Educators Earn Global Recognition

The University of Mindanao made a strong mark on the international academic stage as five faculty members represented the university at the 2nd Petra International Business and Accounting Conference (PIBACC), held from June 30 to July 1, 2025, at Petra Christian University (PCU) in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Three faculty members from UM's College of Accounting Education and two from the College of Business Administration joined over 200 participants in this year’s prestigious event, which brings together scholars, industry leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from across the globe to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue on pressing global issues in business and accounting.

Among the notable achievements was the recognition of Mr. Jade Solaña, BS in Accountancy Program Head, who was named one of the conference’s best participants. His co-authored study, “Certified Public Accountants’ Reluctance to Pursue Academic Career in Davao City: An Exploratory Factor Analysis” (Centina, J., Jimenez, C., Limikid, JM, and Solaña, J.), was also selected as one of the conference’s best abstracts, underlining UM’s commitment to advancing SDG 4: Quality Education through research on academic workforce development.

Joining Mr. Solaña in presenting research were: Ms. Joanna Lynn Mercado, with her study on “Consumer Perception of Gamification in Marketing”; Mr. Jesson Rey Sabado, who presented “The Effects of Globalization on Ecological Footprints”; Mr. Mark Glenn Parpan, with his research on “Sustainable Tourism through Green Hospitality: A Study of Hotel Practices in Davao City, Philippines”; and Mr. Cedric Ian Carlo Petalcorin, who explored generational perspectives with “The Generational Level of Interest in Davao City on Sustainability Reporting of the Food and Beverage Industry: A Test of Difference among Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.”

This year, UM also served as one of the official co-hosts of PIBACC, alongside esteemed institutions from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. This significant collaboration reflects UM's strong alignment with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, promoting cross-border academic cooperation to address complex global challenges through education and research.

The conference continues to serve as a vital platform for advancing research, promoting sustainable business practices, and encouraging innovation in accounting and business education worldwide.