SLSU Kicks Off ICTECO 2026 Preparations with Partner MOA Signing, CMS Launching, and Reels Competition Orientation
Southern Leyte State University officially brought together its ICTECO 2026 co-hosting partners during the MOA Signing Ceremony, Conference Management System Launching, and Facebook Reels Competition Orientation held today, June 5, 2026, via Microsoft Teams.
The activity served as one of the early highlights in the preparation for the 3rd International Conference on Transformative Extension and Community Outreach, or ICTECO 2026, which will be hosted by SLSU on November 18–20, 2026, at the Main Campus in Sogod, Southern Leyte.
ICTECO 2026 will carry the theme, “Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities through Science-Based and Digitally Transformative Extension Innovations.” The conference aims to gather researchers, extension workers, educators, students, innovators, and partner institutions who share the same goal of creating meaningful change in communities.
The program opened with the National Anthem, Invocation, and an audiovisual presentation, followed by the Welcome Remarks of Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation, Production, and Extension. Dr. Ingrid M. Uy, Director of the Graduate Education and Special Programs Office, introduced the ICTECO 2026 co-hosting partners.
This year’s co-hosting partners include Tra Vinh University (TVU), Da Nang University of Economics, Ifugao State University (ISU), Samar State University (SSU), University of San Carlos (USC), Surigao del Norte State University (SDNSU), Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), and Agusan del Sur State University (ADSSU).
SLSU President Dr. Jude A. Duarte also delivered a Message of Commitment, expressing the university’s strong support for the successful conduct of ICTECO 2026. Messages of commitment were also shared by the leaders and representatives of the partner institutions, showing their support for the conference and its goals.
The ceremonial MOA signing marked the formal partnership between SLSU and the co-hosting institutions. Through this agreement, the partners will work together in promoting, organizing, and supporting ICTECO 2026.
Another highlight of the event was the launching of the ICTECO 2026 Conference Management System. Mr. Francis Rey Padao, Director of the University Information Systems and Applications Office, presented the system’s overview and objectives. The new platform will help make conference processes easier and more organized, especially in paper submission, review, updates, and communication with participants.
The event also included the orientation and launching of the ICTECO 2026 Facebook Reels Competition, presented by Engr. Emmanuel M. Cabanig, Head of Communication. The competition will give partner institutions and participants a creative way to promote ICTECO 2026 and share what the conference means to their schools and communities.
The program ended with the Closing Remarks of Engr. Jonelle H. Tablada, Director for Extension and Community Outreach, who thanked the partner institutions, university officials, technical team, and working committees for their support.
With the MOA signing, system launching, and reels competition orientation now completed, SLSU is moving closer to an exciting and meaningful ICTECO 2026.
More than just a conference, ICTECO 2026 is a shared space for learning, collaboration, and action toward stronger and more resilient communities.
