The Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship (DAME) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) participated in the 36th IAGBT-KITRI BiAnnual Conference and Research Symposium held on July 30–31, 2026 at Dongguk University, South Korea.

The Department was represented by a delegation composed of 10 faculty members, 1 research assistant, and 2 Master of Management graduate students, who presented their authored and co-authored research papers during the two-day conference.

Among the 63 paper presentations featured during the conference, two DAME faculty members were recognized with the Best Paper Award.

The first award was given to “Toward an Integrated Bamboo Agribusiness Agenda in Asia: Gaps in Research, Development Interventions, and Policy Frameworks,” authored and presented by Asst. Prof. Ma. Teresa A. Acda, with Dr. Menandro N. Acda and Assoc. Prof. Jeanette Angeline B. Madamba as co-authors. The study characterized and assessed gaps in bamboo agribusiness research, development interventions, and policy frameworks across 12 Asian countries through a systematic literature review of 111 research studies published from 2015 to 2025. Its findings highlight the need for a more integrated bamboo agribusiness agenda that considers enterprise, market, value chain, and institutional dimensions. The study provides a basis for more coordinated research, development interventions, and responsive governance to strengthen bamboo agribusiness across Asia.
The second award was given to “Entrepreneurial Competencies During Venture Creation as Predictors of Survivability of MSMEs in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines,” authored and presented by Asst. Prof. Ezekiel C. Macatula, with Dr. Dinah Pura T. Depositario and Assoc. Prof. Jeanette Angeline B. Madamba as co-authors. The study examined the relationship between personal entrepreneurial competencies (PECs) and MSME survivability in Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna. The findings highlight the role of competencies such as information-seeking, persistence, and goal-setting in supporting business survival and resilience. The study underscores the importance of strengthening entrepreneurial competencies through appropriate training and support programs for MSMEs.
In addition to presenting their research papers, most of the DAME faculty members also served as moderators and discussants during the parallel sessions throughout the two-day conference.

Anchored on the theme, “Shaping Future-Ready Business and Trade Approaches Amid a Shifting World Economy,” the conference gathered scholars, researchers, and academicians from universities and institutions across the globe to exchange and share research findings that fueled discussions and enriched perspectives on the advancement of knowledge in the fields of business, entrepreneurship, and agribusiness.

The DAME delegates were:

Asst. Prof. Ma. Teresa A. Acda
Asst. Prof. Eliza C. Aquino
Asst. Prof. Cris Edwin B. Bonalos
Asst. Prof. Fitz D. Jimenez
Asst. Prof. Ezekiel C. Macatula
Assoc. Prof. Jeanette Angeline B. Madamba
Asst. Prof. Camille Anne E. Mendoza
Asst. Prof. Jennica Amielle M. Mora-Aquino
Asst. Prof. Rei Chino C. Pua
Asst. Prof. Reginald B. Vargas
Mr. Joshua Maru M. Panisales (Research Assistant)
Ms. Hazel P. De Castro (Master of Management)
Ms. Janecell Grace D.O. Paderon (Master of Management)

DAME-UPLB expresses its sincere gratitude for the continued collaboration and partnership with Professor Soon Hwan Jeon, Chairman of IAGBT and President of KITRI, and Professor Myeong Hwan Kim, President of IAGBT, for providing an international platform that continues to strengthen research collaboration and academic exchange among scholars worldwide.

The Department is also proud of the work of Assoc. Prof. Jeanette Angeline B. Madamba for serving as the Master of Ceremonies throughout the conference. During the closing program, she formally announced that the 37th IAGBT-KITRI BiAnnual Conference and Research Symposium will be held in Okinawa, Japan, in January 2027.

Strengthening International Collaboration through Academic Partnerships

While participating in an international conference in South Korea, DAME strengthened its international academic partnerships through a networking initiative spearheaded by Asst. Prof. Eliza C. Aquino, who facilitated the Department’s engagement with Ms. Song Hee-ja, President of the Flower Tea Culture Promotion Association (FTCPA) in Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea, and Ms. Sunny Park, CEO of EF FARM (Edible Flower Farm), also based in Damyang-gun. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore potential areas for collaboration between DAME and its Korean counterparts, particularly in joint research and creative projects, special lectures, and other research and extension initiatives related to agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship, cultural heritage, and sustainable rural development.

Over a shared Korean meal, the conversation opened the possibility of a future partnership between DAME and the organizations represented by Ms. Song Hee-ja and Ms. Sunny Park. The Department looks forward to continuing these connections and, hopefully, welcoming its Korean counterparts to the Philippines in 2027 as DAME works toward developing the proposed collaborations and strengthening its international engagement.

The conference participation and research initiatives of DAME align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include SDG 4: Quality Education, reflected in the exchange of knowledge and academic expertise; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, supported by research on entrepreneurship and MSME development; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, advanced through research and innovation in agribusiness; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, strengthened through international academic collaboration and institutional linkages.

Kamsahamnida, IAGBT-KITRI!

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