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The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the Extension Services Office (ESO) of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) officially sealed a partnership with the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples Education, Inc. through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on Oct. 29, 2026, at the OSA Compassionate Home, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
The partnership centers on the establishment of a project titled “Seeds of Hope: Indigenous Peoples Educational Assistance and Formation Program,” which aims to provide beneficiaries with financial support, boost leadership competencies, and promote awareness of IP culture, heritage, rights, and current realities.
Prior to the ceremony, the team first paid a courtesy visit to USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel to formally present the initiative and secure institutional support for its execution.
Transitioning into the program, OSA Director Dr. Ma. Leida M. Donque underscored the shared commitment of both institutions to uplifting IP students in her welcome remarks: “Nandito tayong lahat dahil sa iisang direksyon at ‘yun ay para bigyan ng suporta ang ating mga mag-aaral na IPs. Kaya kayong mga anak namin, nakita ninyo kung gaano ka-supportive ang buong mundo sa inyo. Sana i-take niyo ito bilang isang oportunidad na mapaunlad ang inyong mga buhay,” she said.
(“We are all here because of a single direction, and that is to support our Indigenous students. So to our children, you see how supportive the whole world is of you. I hope you take this as an opportunity to better your lives.”)
The event culminated in the formal signing of the MOU, attended by key signatories who expressed strong support for the initiative, including Dr. Ma. Leida M. Donque (OSA Director), Dr. Glyn B. Gabano-Magbanua (ESO Director), and Ms. Dale Perez (Executive Director of the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples Education, Inc.). Also attending the ceremony as witnesses were Prof. Sarrah Jane C. Guerrero (USM Indigenous Peoples Association Adviser) and Prof. Frans Bert Gomez (Multicultural Indigenous Peoples Center for Research, Education, and Development Head).
Concluding the ceremony, Ms. Perez highlighted the vital role of providing platforms to empower Indigenous youth:
“Ito po ay talagang isa sa mga advocacies namin that when we accompany these IPs, they already have their voices, they already have their strengths; but they don’t have a platform. That is why, through this project, we hope to give them the platform they need because I know once they are given one, maraming magagawa ang isang katutubo.”
(“This is truly one of our advocacies—that when we accompany these IPs, they already have their voices, they already have their strengths, but they don’t have a platform. That is why, through this project, we hope to give them the platform they need, because I know that once they are given one, Indigenous youth can accomplish so much.”)
Following the program, a screening was held to identify deserving beneficiary scholars for the Seeds of Hope Project. The selection was facilitated by USMIPA Adviser Prof. Guerrero, alongside OSA Director Dr. Donque and Pamulaan Executive Director Ms. Perez.
Targeting 15 IP student beneficiaries, the project will provide financial aid, leadership development training, and cultural promotion initiatives to equip and empower them throughout their tertiary education. This underscores the joint commitment of the university and its advocacy partner to providing inclusive, quality education while actively preserving, honoring, and championing Indigenous culture and heritage.
