With the theme “Solving Tomorrow’s Problems Today Through Chemistry!”, the nation’s premier gathering of chemistry researchers, academics, and professionals was held alongside the 17th Eurasia Conference on Chemical Sciences (EuAsC2S-17) from June 10 to 12, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The three-day congress brought together leading scientists from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world to discuss developments in quantum chemistry, sustainability, advanced instrumentation, and applied sciences. It also provided a platform for participants to establish research partnerships, explore training opportunities, and strengthen international collaborations, supporting Western Mindanao State University’s vision of becoming a Smart Research University by 2040.

Among the distinguished speakers were Jean-Marie Lehn, the 1987 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate from the University of Strasbourg, recognized for pioneering supramolecular chemistry, and Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on metal-organic frameworks, a discovery with significant applications in catalysis, medicine, environmental science, and other emerging fields.

Western Mindanao State University was represented through the support of University President Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena and Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Teresita A. Narvaez. Faculty researchers from the DOST-PCAARRD-funded NICER Project 2 and the Department of Chemistry showcased the university’s research capabilities by presenting studies addressing both local and global scientific concerns.

Representing NICER Project 2, Dr. Reynante Autida and Associate Professor Jayson T. Francisco presented their pioneering research on the comprehensive amino acid, fatty acid, and cholesterol profiling of the ZamPen native chicken, the first study of its kind in the Philippines. As the project’s oral presenter, Associate Professor Francisco delivered the presentation, “ZamPen Native Chicken: A Chemical Approach for Sustainable Food Innovation,” highlighting the project’s findings and demonstrating how chemistry contributes to sustainable food research through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ruel B. Cayona, Associate Professor from the Department of Chemistry, delivered an oral presentation titled “On the Thermodynamic Feasibility of Peroxyacetyl-Phosphorus Monoxide Adduct Formation: A Comparative DFT Study with Peroxyacetyl Nitrate.” His research focused on computational chemistry and molecular simulations, an area that continues to gain prominence in both local and international scientific communities.

The active participation of WMSU researchers in the 40th Philippine Chemistry Congress and EuAsC2S-17 reflects the university’s growing contribution to the global scientific community. By presenting research rooted in the needs and resources of Western Mindanao while engaging with internationally recognized experts, WMSU reaffirmed that locally driven science can generate meaningful global impact.