As part of its commitment to advancing inclusive and indigenous education, MSU TCTO successfully hosted the 1st International Conference on Inclusive and Indigenous Education (ICIIE) from November 26–28, 2025, at the Bihing Tahik Resort and the Indanan Anni Hall of MSU TCTO. With the theme “Reimagining Education Leadership and Policy for Equity and Social Inclusion,” the conference brought together educators, researchers, and policymakers from across the country and abroad, providing a platform to exchange knowledge, explore innovative practices, and foster collaboration in education that is inclusive, equitable, and transformative.
This year’s conference received formal accreditation from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), made possible through the support of the Asian Center of Education, Research, and Training for Innovation (ACERT). With Program Code PROG-2025-123927 and PTR Number PTR-2018-149-11353, the accreditation provides 24 CPD hours and 12 credit units, highlighting the conference's importance not just as an academic event but also as a key chance for educators and scholars to grow professionally.
More than an academic convening, ICIIE 2025 served as a call to reimagine leadership, rethink policy, and reframe education through the lens of justice, inclusion, and indigenous knowledge systems. The three-day conference featured two keynote lectures, three plenary talks, one high-level panel discussion, and four themed parallel session tracks, collectively offering diverse, emerging, and critically relevant perspectives in inclusive and indigenous education. Parallel presentations were held at the Indanan Anni Hall of MSU TCTO throughout the afternoon sessions of Days 1 and 2, sustaining the conference’s momentum of collaborative exchange and scholarly engagement.
A major highlight of Day 1 was the keynote address of Prof. William Misiaszek, Ph.D., a distinguished scholar from Tohoku University, Japan, who spoke on “(Eco)Pedagogical Teaching through Diverse Languages for Peace, Justice, and Planetary Sustainability.” The program also marked a milestone with the official launch of the Conference Journal, a significant step in documenting, promoting, and advancing scholarly research across various fields of education and leadership.
Day 2 continued with compelling plenary sessions and discussions. Prof. Arlynne C. Marasigan, Ph.D., from the Philippine Normal University, delivered a plenary lecture on “Leading from the Periphery: Rural Education and the Quest for Influence on Policy Reform.” She was followed by Assoc. Prof. Jovito C. Anito, Jr. of Jose Rizal Memorial State University, who presented insights on “Decolonizing Knowledge Production: Action Research as a Lens for Education Leadership and Policy toward Equity and Inclusion.”
The final day featured a keynote lecture by Prof. Bert J. Tuga, Ph.D., President of the Philippine Normal University, on “Leading for Equity and Social Inclusion in Higher Education Institutions.” This was followed by an inspiring plenary talk from Prof. Mark Anthony M. Velasco, Ph.D., Managing Director of ACERT, titled “Catalysts of Change: Reimagining Leadership and Policy for an Inclusive Education Future.”
As the ICIIE 2025 concluded, participants carried forward renewed insights, strengthened networks, and a shared commitment to advancing education that is equitable, culturally grounded, and socially responsive. The success of ICIIE 2025 reflects MSU TCTO’s growing leadership in fostering critical conversations and collaborative research on inclusive and indigenous learning. Guided by the University’s mission of Creating Opportunities and Transforming Lives, MSU TCTO remains steadfast in shaping an education landscape that honors diversity, amplifies marginalized voices, and champions transformative change for communities across the region and beyond.
