Encouraging the practice of doing research studies grounded on community realities where universities and colleges are located, Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III stressed on the important role that higher education institutions (HEI’s) have in charting the development track of the Philippines.
“Tambak sa dami ang mga research na hindi napapakinabangan ng lipunan…hindi para sa pansariling gamit kundi para sa positibong ambog sa lipunan”, the president said, while speaking at the confab dubbed as Schools Serving Society. The event gathered presidents and administrators from some of the 433 HEI’s in the island in a bid to craft a top-level agenda for Mindanao peace and development. On how the current administration recognizes the importance of HEI’s in the Mindanao roadmap, Aquino said, “Kritikal ang ginagampanang papel ng mga HEI’s sa katiwasayan sa Mindanao.”
Comprising the presidential party were DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya, Mindanao Development Authority Chair Lou Antonino, ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, CHED Commissioner Nona Ricafort and NYC Commissioner for Mindanao Earl Saavedra. Mayor Celso L. Lobregat gave the welcome address.
In a statement, Fr. Albert E. Alejo SJ, assistant to the AdZU President on Social Development and conference director, adds, “We realize that our institutions today can and must be social actors in the society that also affects our operation and to which we are called to serve. Our faculty and facilities, our instruction and research, our local presence as well as our wider network can and must be engaged in Mindanao peace and development. This shared pro-active learning in the service of a more effective intervention is what we envision in the proposed meeting of university and colleges presidents.
The release of a joint statement, in response to the president’s challenge, will culminate the said meet.
