The UP Bangsamoro Development Initiative (UP-BDI) team in UP Mindanao discovered common research interests with visiting representatives from three universities in a free-wheeling discussion in the UP Mindanao Gaisano Room on March 12, 2025.
UP Mindanao chancellor and UP BDI Technical Working Group chairperson Prof. Lyre Anni Murao led the welcome for Professor Aya Okada of the Nagoya University-Graduate School of International Development, Assoc. Prof. Maria Kristina Alinsunurin of the UP Los Banos Graduate School, and Prof. Esmaida Alaiden, director of the Mindanao State University-General Santos Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (MSU-GenSan IPDM)
The visiting team’s interest was triggered by the BDI’s Roundtable Discussion on Bangsamoro Research Themes, held in December 2024, which was organized by the UP-BDI in association with the UP Mindanao Department of Social Sciences (DSS) and the UP Mindanao College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ Mindanao Studies Center (MSC).
“We wish to discuss potential collaborations and gain insights into your ongoing initiatives in the region” said Prof. Alinsunurin. “We at UPLB and Nagoya University’s GSID aim to explore similar research initiatives concerning development issues in the region and within the BARMM,” she said.
UP Mindanao Assoc. Prof. Myfel Joseph Paluga of DSS opened with a briefing on the top ten themes emerging from the December roundtable, such as Mindanao ethnolinguistic and socio-cultural themes, with additional inputs from DSS colleague, Asst. Prof. Andrea Malaya Ragragio.
In addition, the qualified UP Mindanao representation included College of Science and Mathematics Dean Cleto Nanola Jr. who has fisheries and marine-protected areas research in the Bangsamoro. Pahinungod Director Michael Gatela has led UP College Admission Test Affirmative Action and other development initiatives in the region. Chancellor Murao likewise offered public health research collaboration with the Philippine Genome Center Mindanao and other UP Mindanao public health research programs.
Prof. Okada asked more questions and explored areas, from economics to development. In an aside, she mentioned that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and an opportunity to reflect over armed conflicts and their lessons.
In closing, the meeting participants arrived at a consensus to craft research proposals that allow collaboration among the parties.
The top photo shows the meeting participants (left-right) Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Director Michael Gatela, UP Mindanao College of Science and Mathematics Dean Prof. Cleto Nanola Jr., MSU-GenSan IPDM Researcher Jasmin Saricala, UP Mindanao Chancellor Prof. Lyre Anni Murao, Nagoya University Prof. Aya Okada, UPLB Assoc. Prof. Kristina Alinsunurin, MSU-GenSan Prof. Esmaida Alaiden, and UP BDI staff John Carlo Evardo.
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