Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Central Mindanao University was included in the seven Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country, along with the Benguet State University, Central Luzon State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, University of Southeastern Philippines, and Mountain Province State Polytechnic College together with the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, to work together as a network forming the Philippine Canada Education Consortium Magic 7+ dubbed as PhilCanEDUCON Magic 7+.
The network is geared towards intensifying the protection, conservation, enhancement, and promotion of selected Filipino cultures in the Philippines.
Recently, the network has propounded a PhP 36.5M development program titled Intensifying the Filipino Culture towards Sustaining the Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge System in Saving Natural Habitat, Landscape and Practices through Education and Community Development with Mariano Marcos State University as lead proponent.
“The structure of the program suggests that other local and national institutional stakeholders will benefit from the program along with the goal of maintaining cultural identity, dignity, diversity and relevance through indigenous information structures, education, and community development activities,” Dr. Estrella Y. Dacillo, Director of Extension, said in an interview.
The program was also developed to respond to academic programs’ internationalization, research and development initiatives, and partnerships between and among higher education institutions.
“With the ongoing partnership of the said institutions, both personnel and participants who would be part of the future projects will be equipped with skills and abilities…” Dr. Dacillio added.
As part of the Magic 7 network members, the university will serve as one of the research sites by offering its facilities and research centers in facilitating the various ethnolinguistic groups and communities that will serve as partners in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the program and its projects.
CMU has identified the Talaandig, Western Manobo, Tigwahanon, and Higaunon tribes, among other LGU officials, faculty-researchers, development workers, students, youth, and other local community people in the province of Bukidnon as partners to attain the goals and objectives of the program.
Based on the proposal they submitted to CHED, the program will be implemented through its components such as capacity building, research and development of indigenous knowledge system and practices in agriculture, environment, and natural resources, including arts, dances, songs, games, and music and knowledge management through exchange and dissemination.
The consortium is currently calling for proposals on Precision Agriculture Potato Production and EduTourism, urging the partner institutions to pass entries. (LCESimbajon)
