University officials brought up the University Strategic Plan as UP Mindanao’s guiding star for 2026 in their New Year messages delivered at the first flag ceremony assembly on January 5, 2025.
Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ma. Stella Salazar (in first photo) brought up the plan in her inspirational message as the host for the week’s flag ceremony. “Our parish priest said we should have a guiding star to guide us in our year,” she said. “Because the three kings followed the star, it led them the right way to their right roles in the nativity. Last year, we had our strategic planning, and we learned what we must do this year. We have Education 5.0, we have Operational Sustainability, and these can be our guiding stars,” she said.
“Personally, you can ask yourself what else needs to be improved,” she said. “You can benchmark and think of how you can arrive at that improvement.”
“We’re very fortunate that we are all here once again and healthy,” said Vice Chancellor for Administration Leo Manuel Estaña (in second photo). “Last year was a very productive year, and I know that this year will be the same, if not more productive than last year. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of everyone here, working together as we achieve our targets as part of the university’s strategic plan, both at the unit level and at the UP Mindanao level. Congratulations, and keep up the good work,” he said.
VC Estaña proceeded to issue reminders about personnel and project matters. “May I remind everyone to comply with the submission of targets, in keeping with VCAA Stella’s advice for us to look at what needs to be improved about ourselves?” he said.
Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao opened with an energy check on the assembly. “Happy New Year!” she said. “Ang hina naman. Where is your energy!” she said.
She thanked VC Salazar for bringing up the strategic plan as a guiding star. “I would like to share with you that this year, we’re going to officially launch our revitalized strategic plan as part of our foundation event,” she said.
“In preparation for this task, we shall have our leadership program and planning on January 27, 28, and 29,” she said. “This is an important time for us to align ourselves with the plan of the university. Part of the strategic plan is launching a new way of thinking and a new way of doing things. After this leadership program, we’ll disseminate the strategic plan on this new platform. We will hold a non-teaching conference, a teaching conference, and one for the students so that all of us will be aligned with the university’s plans. I look forward to our plans for 2026, and I hope to see everyone onboard and looking forward to the things we are going to do, the things that we are going to transform. Happy New Year!”
