Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – In celebration of its centennial anniversary and the Mindanao Week of Peace 2024, the Bukidnon State University (BukSU) hosted the final leg of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity’s (OPAPRU) Peace Education University Tour for this year on December 4.

The event, the fourth and last leg of the Peace Education University Tour for this year, highlighted the vital role of academic institutions in fostering the culture of peace across the country.

Spearheaded by the OPAPRU, the activity was conducted in partnership with the Kalandang Taw Center for Peace Studies, the Center for Local Governance, in collaboration with the BukSU General Education Courses Department, BukSU Peace Educators Council, and the Council of Peace Educators in Northern Mindanao.

Forging partnerships

Representing OPAPRU Executive Director Andres S. Aguinaldo, Jr., Director Rowena T. Lopez explained the purpose of the Peace Education University Tour.

“The OPAPRU is conducting this peace education university tour in line with its goal of mainstreaming peace education throughout the nation’s education system,” Lopez said.

She added that the activity aims “to break the cycle of violence and promote the culture of peace across all sectors of society.”

Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, University President of BukSU, whose message was delivered by OIC and Vice-President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Dante S. Victoria, Jr. expressed his gratitude to OPAPRU for its peacebuilding initiatives especially in the province of Bukidnon.

“As we move ahead, we are committed to strengthening our partnerships with organizations like OPAPRU in capacitating urban communities and stakeholders for peace and development to amplify our collective impact,” Victoria noted.

“We can address pressing social and environmental challenges and inspire future generations to continue the pursuit of peace, justice and human progress, with gratitude for the past century, as we look forward to a future where BukSU remains a steadfast partner in education and peacebuilding for another hundred or more years,” he stressed.

The Peace Education University Tour at BukSU featured presentations on the status of the peace processes being implemented by OPAPRU, as well as the agency’s various peacebuilding and development initiatives.

The presenters included Ma. Celin Mendoza of the CPP-NDF-NPA Peace Process Office and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Bukidnon.

Dr. Mark Anthony J. Torres of MSU-IIT emphasized the key role of state universities in peacebuilding, as he set the tone for an open forum.

The event included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OPAPRU and BukSU, further strengthening their commitment to advancing peace education initiatives.

Witnessing the event were representatives from partner organizations, including the Kalandang Taw Center for Peace Studies and the Center for Local Governance.

Peace stakeholders also signed a pledge of commitment led by Walter I. Balane, Head of the Kalandang Taw Center for Peace Studies.

Launching of Peace Education Resource Nook

At the same event, the OPAPRU and BukSU unveiled the Peace Education Resource Nook (PERN) at the University Library.

This MSU’s PERN will provide educators and students in Northern Mindanao with peace-related materials they can use to integrate peace education into their school’s academic curricula.

To date, the OPAPRU, in partnership with academic institutions, has established eight PERNS throughout the country.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mark Anthony J. Torres presented the proposed Northern Mindanao revision of peace education curriculum for select General Education courses.

Breakout sessions were also held, including a peace research presentation and a peace teaching demonstration competition for education students.

A day’s celebration of peace

The event concluded with the awarding of winners for the Mindanao Week of Peace Digital Poster Competition and the Peace Education Teaching Demonstration Competition.

Certificates and tokens of recognition were also given to paper presenters and panelists who contributed their expertise during the sessions.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Maribel G. Valdez from the College of Arts and Sciences, BukSU, presented the day’s achievements, as she reaffirmed BukSU’s commitment to promoting peace education.

As OPAPRU wrapped up its 2024 Peace Education University Tour, the BukSU leg serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between government agencies, academic institutions, and local stakeholders in building a culture of peace across the country.###