08/02/2026
Cotabato State University Launches “Green Graduates Program” to Promote Environmental Responsibility
Cotabato State University (CSU), through its Agri-Forestry and Fisheries Development Center (AFFDC), successfully conducted a tree planting activity last Feb.03,2026 at CSU Experimental Laboratory Site in Rebuken , Sulatan Kudarata under its flagship environmental initiative, the “Green Graduates Program,” with the theme “One Graduate, One Tree: Growing Responsibility for a Sustainable Future.” The program aims to instill environmental stewardship among graduating students while contributing to ecological restoration and climate change mitigation.
The activity was carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR–BARMM), the College of Agriculture, the College of Fisheries, the College of Forestry, the Agribusiness Society, and the CSU ROTC Unit, in collaboration with the 6th Civil-Military Operations (CMO) “Kasangga” Battalion, CMOR, Philippine Army. These collaborative efforts strengthened the university’s commitment to community engagement, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
The “Green Graduates Program” highlights the role of education in shaping socially and environmentally responsible citizens. By linking graduation with tree planting, the program symbolically and practically emphasizes that academic success must go hand in hand with care for the environment. Each graduate is encouraged to plant at least one tree, reinforcing personal accountability for environmental conservation and long-term sustainability.
The activity also served as a platform for inter-agency cooperation, bringing together academic institutions, government agencies, and uniformed services in a shared mission to promote ecological balance and community resilience. Participants planted tree seedlings in designated areas identified for reforestation and land rehabilitation, contributing to biodiversity conservation and soil and water protection.
The organizers expressed their sincere gratitude to the university leadership for their unwavering support, particularly University President Prof. Sema G. Dila and the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Resource Generation, whose guidance and encouragement were instrumental in the successful implementation of the program. Appreciation is likewise extended to all Deans of the participating colleges for their strong institutional support and active involvement in this meaningful endeavor.
Through initiatives such as the “Green Graduates Program,” Cotabato State University continues to demonstrate its role as a catalyst for sustainable development and environmental advocacy. The program not only promotes tree growing but also cultivates a culture of responsibility, service, and environmental consciousness among students and partners. As the university nurtures minds for the future, it likewise plants seeds for a greener and more sustainable world.
