TAWI-TAWI – Rizal Technological University-Pasig (RTU-Pasig) proudly participated in the 15th International Conference on Inclusive and Indigenous Education held at Mindanao State University–Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) from November 26 to 28, 2025. The conference, themed “Reimagining Education Leadership and Policy for Equity and Social Inclusion,” provided a meaningful platform for educators and leaders committed to educational justice to engage in dialogue and collaboration.
Representing RTU-Pasig were Assoc. Prof. Jason A. Romero, Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services; Assoc. Prof. Niño Maliban, Vice Chancellor for Planning, Quality Assurance, and Strategic Initiatives; Instr. Vicente Mari Mangilaya II, Head of the Gender Studies and Development Unit; Asst. Prof. Marika Yamin Aniag, Head of the Extension and Community Services Unit; and Instr. John Ronnie Pantaleon from the Institute of Teacher Education, Mathematics Department. The delegation shared RTU’s research insights, community engagement practices, and advocacy for inclusive, gender-responsive, and culturally grounded education.
University President Dr. Ma. Eugenia M. Yangco and the RTU Pasig Chancellor expressed profound gratitude to MSU-TCTO for their extraordinary hospitality and warm welcome. Special recognition was given to Prof. Dr. Mary Joyce Z. Guirnos for her visionary leadership in guiding the institution toward meaningful transformation, and to Prof. Athisan U. Cuenco, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, along with the College of Education faculty, staff, and organizing committee. The delegation also honored Dr. Bert J. Tuga, President of the Philippine Normal University, whose insights continue to shape national discourse on educational justice and inclusivity.
The conference challenged participants to reflect on critical questions facing education today. Attendees examined whether their policies truly serve all, whether they genuinely empower historically marginalized communities, whether they listen deeply to indigenous voices, and whether they can break away from outdated educational structures that no longer serve learners. These complex but necessary questions underscored the transformative nature of pursuing educational inclusivity and sparked meaningful discussions about policy reform and leadership.
Organizers emphasized that education is most potent when rooted in connection. This principle reflects the growing partnership between Mindanao and Luzon, and specifically between MSU-TCTO and RTU-Pasig, demonstrating the power of interregional collaboration toward common educational goals. The conference highlighted how collaboration between communities and institutions creates harmony that strengthens educational outcomes.
The conference marks the beginning of enduring collaboration and a more profound friendship between the two institutions. Together, they aim to build pathways where inclusivity is not merely promised but delivered, where education becomes a bridge of understanding, a tool for empowerment, and a catalyst for peace. The ultimate goal remains achieving humane, just, and truly inclusive education for every Filipino, ensuring that educational opportunities reach even the most remote and underserved communities across the archipelago.
