In a landmark initiative aimed at deepening public service and academic collaboration in the southern Philippines, Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) has formally joined the UP Diliman Ugnayan ng Pahinungod–ZamBaSulTa Collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 15 October 2025 at the University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon Hall.
Leading the MSU-TCTO delegation was Chancellor Prof. Mary Joyce Z. Guinto-Sali, PhD, accompanied by focal persons Assoc. Prof. Araniza M. Diansuy and Prof. Clarissa Ayangco-Derramas, EdD. The ceremonial signing gathered heads and representatives of higher education institutions across the ZamBaSulTa region (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi), with the collective goal of expanding the reach and impact of volunteer-based, community-driven initiatives.
The collaboration, spearheaded by UP Diliman Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, represents a three-year integrated public service plan that seeks to empower institutions in the region through shared expertise, collaborative programs, and sustainable community engagement. The MOU outlines joint efforts in the following key areas such as faculty mentoring and development, teaching pedagogy and capacity building, research and publication support, community development in fishing and farming sectors, language vitality mapping for indigenous languages, development of digital learning resources, peace and development work, and grants and proposal writing assistance.
These collaborative programs are designed to address both academic and socio-economic needs of underserved communities in the ZamBaSulTa region—promoting inclusive growth through education, cultural exchange, and volunteerism.
As the only higher education institution mandated in specializing oceanography and marine sciences, MSU-TCTO’s participation brings a vital perspective to the table—rooted in deep community engagement, cultural understanding, and academic expertise tailored to the local context.
By joining the UP Pahinungod network, MSU-TCTO strengthens its institutional capacity while reaffirming its commitment to inclusive education, cultural preservation, and regional peacebuilding. The collaboration offers faculty, staff, and students expanded opportunities to engage in meaningful volunteer work and research that directly benefit local communities, particularly in geographically isolated and culturally diverse areas.
This partnership also supports MSU-TCTO’s broader vision of transforming Tawi-Tawi into a hub of innovation and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The ceremonial signing was attended by representatives of participating institutions, including:
UP Diliman Ugnayan ng Pahinungod – Chancellor Carlo Vistan, Focal Dr. Jowima Ang Reyes
MSU-TCTO – Chancellor Prof. Mary Joyce Z. Guinto-Sali, Focals Assoc. Prof. Araniza M. Diansuy and Prof. Clarissa Ayangco-Derramas, EdD
MSU-Buug – Chancellor Prof. Sheila G. Magolama, Focal Prof. Rovy M. Banguis, PhD
Basilan State College – President Dr. Haipa Abdurahim-Salain, Focal Dr. Heidi Faith H. Cruz
Western Mindanao State University – President Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, Focal Dr. Melanie F. Lear
Sulu State College – President Prof. Charisma S. Ututalum, Focal Rania Abduraup
The participants expressed their shared vision of transforming the agreement into actionable programs that uplift communities, foster academic excellence, and reinforce the spirit of "Pahinungod"—a Filipino term that connotes wholehearted offering or service.
The UP Pahinungod–ZamBaSulTa collaboration is poised to become a model for how higher education institutions can work together across regions to build resilient communities, celebrate cultural diversity, and promote peace and development.
MSU-TCTO’s involvement is a testament to the university’s enduring mission: to serve as a bridge between knowledge and action, empowering communities in the southernmost frontier of the Philippines.
