UP Mindanao at 31: Expanding Its Campus, Strengthening Research, and Building for the Future

KC Abella / February 24, 2026

Thirty-one years after its establishment, the University of the Philippines Mindanao is entering a new phase of growth, one marked not merely by the passage of time, but by tangible infrastructure expansion, strengthened research facilities, and long-term campus transformation.

During its 31st Founding Anniversary celebration on February 20, 2026, UP Mindanao laid out clearly where it stands today: a maturing institution consolidating its campus, investing in research that serves Mindanao, and redesigning its physical spaces to support sustainable and people-centered development.

Anchored on the banner theme, Pag-amuma ug Pagpanalingsing: Nurturing Regenerative Futures, the University’s direction reflects both care for what has been built and boldness in shaping what comes next.

UP Mindanao was created through Republic Act No. 7889 with a clear mandate: to bring the national university’s excellence to Mindanao.

UPMin Chancellor Prof. Lyre Anni E. Murao reflected on its beginnings during her State of the University Address:

“Thirty-one years ago, this campus did not rise out of convenience. It rose out of conviction.”

 

What began in modest facilities has now grown into a full constituent university with dedicated academic buildings, research complexes, student residences, and an expanding campus master plan.

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez described the University’s early evolution during his opening message:

“UP Mindanao began, quite literally, as a university learning how to take root: finding space, building programs, shaping identity, and holding fast to excellence even when resources were scarce.”

 

At 31 years, UP Mindanao is no longer simply taking root, it is building forward.

One of the clearest messages during the anniversary celebration was this: UP Mindanao is actively transforming its campus.

A major highlight was the ceremonial designation of the site for the proposed Executive House, a facility that will serve as a venue for official functions, visiting scholars, dignitaries, and institutional engagements.

Ar. Jean Marie V. Juanga, PhD, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Administration (Campus Planning and Development), explained the deeper meaning behind the project:

“This is a Manobo motif…this is a milestone for the continuing growth of the UP Mindanao”

She further emphasized:

“The establishment of this executive house has been both an institutional milestone and cultural affirmation, conceived during the term of the President Jimenez the first Mindanaoan and Manobo UP President, the concept is embodied in leadership and destiny place and purpose.”

The Executive House stands as both an institutional milestone and a cultural affirmation, honoring leadership rooted in Mindanao while strengthening the University’s capacity for engagement and representation.

Beyond the Executive House, UP Mindanao formally introduced a major campus-wide infrastructure initiative: the Site Development of Existing Buildings.

Ar. Jean Juanga presented the project, Site development of existing buildings.

According to the presentation:

“These are the site development plans that are worth 140 million over nine different sites across the university in different buildings. Originally the initiative began in 2024 since the campus planning proposed for the active campus mobility with a vision to prioritize people having a walkable and sustainable development over the entire campus.”

The initiative, valued at ₱140 million, spans nine priority sites across the campus and is guided by a long-term vision of active campus mobility, prioritizing pedestrians, sustainability, and integrated design.

She further detailed:

“Today the site development plan encompasses nine priority sites number one is the administration building and we have an amphitheater at the back of the administration building just like UP diliman but it’s not yet finished, also we have for the new dormitory it’s going to be developed with parking and open spaces and the university library as well”

The nine priority areas include: Faculty and Staff Housing,  Administration Building, New Student Dormitory, Kalimudan Plaza Pag-Asa, University Library, School of Management, CHSS Cultural Center, CARIM Building, College of Science and Mathematics. 

The project will improve walkability and pedestrian pathway, develop open spaces for community use, organize parking areas for better mobility management, enhance campus connectivity, create a more environmentally sustainable academic environment. 

This is not cosmetic improvement. It is systemic campus redesign, aligned with Pag-amuma, the intentional care of what has been built, and Pagpanalingsing, the regeneration of campus life for the future.

Alongside campus development, UP Mindanao inaugurated key research facilities: Center for the Advancement of Research in Mindanao (CARIM): Phases 1 and 2, Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab), and Mindanao Center for Disease Watch and Analytics (DiWA).

These facilities enhance capacity in agriculture, food systems, disease monitoring, and regional analytics, areas critical to Mindanao’s development.

 

President Jimenez affirmed this trajectory:

“UP Mindanao is well-positioned to become a leading innovation hub in Mindanao, advancing health, agriculture, science, and the creative industries in ways that respect the region’s ecological and cultural diversity.”

UP Mindanao at 31 is not only expanding buildings, it is expanding impact.

The anniversary celebration concluded with the Gala Night and 2026 Parangal at Pagkilala held at The Pinnacle Hotel, honoring faculty, staff, researchers, retirees, and volunteers who sustain the institution daily. 

 

The evening recognized: retirees who dedicated decades of service, loyalty awardees marking 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years in service, gawad Chancellor awardees for administrative excellence, REPS, and teaching, UP Scientist awardees, PUSO Award recipient, amd Pahinungód volunteers.

President Jimenez underscored the heart of the celebration:

“UP Mindanao works because its people care: Care deeply. Care consistently. Care even when no one is watching.”

He further reminded the community:

“The university’s grand plans, its campuses, laboratories, policies, and programs, rest on the steady work of people who show up, even on ordinary days.”

The Gala Night was more than a ceremony. It was a recognition that infrastructure, research, and strategy are made possible by individuals whose daily commitment keeps the University moving forward.

UP Mindanao today is: investing ₱140 million in campus-wide site development, designing a walkable, sustainable campus environment, establishing the Executive House as a symbol of leadership and cultural affirmation, expanding research infrastructure for agriculture and public health, strengthening student access and support, honoring the faculty and staff who sustain institutional excellence

As Chancellor Murao reflected:

“We are no longer the young campus trying to prove we can exist. We are a maturing institution asking how we can matter more. How we can deepen our impact. How we can grow not just bigger, but better.”

Thirty-one years after it began, UP Mindanao is not simply commemorating its past.

Under the banner of Pag-amuma ug Pagpanalingsing: Nurturing Regenerative Futures, it is actively reshaping its campus, strengthening its research systems, and honoring the people whose care and commitment make growth possible.

It is nurturing what has taken root, and regenerating what the future demands.