Sama Studies Center highlights TCTO's undertakings in Indigenous Culture and the Artsy

Sama Studies Center Director Altan Ishmael is one of the speakers at the Arts Education Forum of the Arts Education Programs of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on September 6-7 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box) Theater, CCP Complex in Pasay City.

The CCP, through its Arts Education Department, brought together arts educators’ sector - leaders, teachers, teaching artists, advocates and parents – to understand the role of arts education in addressing global issues.With the theme "Helping Children Navigate Global Challenges", the talks focused on arts education strategies: social values, thinking outside the box, problem solving, critical thinking, resilience and stress tolerance.

Dir. Ishmael’s talk on “Calibrating Values, Cultivating Grit” engaged on the Sama Studies Center and TCTO’s efforts in teaching students and emphasizing sustainability and ocean consciousness and raising the awareness to explore indigenous knowledge and eco-friendly practices and solutions instead of ignoring environmental challenges. Reports on different culture and the arts related projects in collaboration with different offices and agencies were featured: Sama Festival; Igal Sama Boot Camp; Project Sahaya and Project Adjung with the Gender and Development Office; Kahawa Unspoken Poetry Sessions: a student-led initiative by the WikaSAMAhan ALAB; Timpalak Leleng with the NCCA and SED Community High School; a CHED-SALIKHA funded research with University of the Philippines NSRI; and many others.

The talk also featured a live performance from Sama Studies staff, Ms. Nursida D. Jaluddin, a BARMM-awarded cultural master and an Igal Guru.

#iLoveMSUTCTO

#SmartGreenResilient

#CreatingOpportunities

#TransformingLives

Latest University News

MSU TCTO CIAS Programs Granted COPC After CHED OPSD Central Evaluation

In its continuing pursuit of academic excellence and quality assurance, the Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU TCTO) has secured Certificates of Program Compliance (COPC) for academic programs evaluated by the Commission on Higher Education Office of Programs and Standards Development (CHED OPSD) Central, particularly those under the College of Islamic Arts and Sciences (CIAS).

MSU TCTO Strengthens Partnership with Local Government Units through MOU Signing

The MSU Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU TCTO) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Local Government Units of Simunul, Panglima Sugala, Sibutu, South Ubian, Bongao, Tandubas, and Sitangkai on December 17 at the Conference Room, Sabdani J. Bulante Building. The agreement formalizes a collaborative partnership in support of marine biodiversity conservation and fisheries management in the Province of Tawi-Tawi.

MSU TCTO Ranks Among UI GreenMetric Universities, Leading BARMM in Sustainability

The Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU TCTO) has achieved a notable accomplishment in its debut participation in the 2025 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, placing 1,411th globally among institutions recognized for their commitment to sustainability. Nationally, MSU TCTO ranked 78th among Philippine universities, and notably, it emerged as the first and only institution in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to be included in this global sustainability assessment.