Strengthening Regional Roots, Reaching Global Goals: Four Bangsamoro HEIs Partner for the UN SDGs

Istanbul, Türkiye – June 19, 2025 — In pursuit of meaningful academic collaboration and shared global goals for sustainable development, four (4) state higher education institutions in the Bangsamoro region signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Global Sustainable Congress in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO), the Basilan State College (BaSC), the Sulu State College (SSC), and the Adiong Memorial State College (AMSC)—united to strengthen collaboration in education, research, and peacebuilding across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The MOU underscores five shared objectives: fostering joint academic and community initiatives; advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs); enhancing faculty and student mobility; and actively contributing to peacebuilding and inclusive regional growth.

To realize these goals, the institutions committed to areas of collaboration including academic exchange, interdisciplinary research, extension programs, and initiatives focused on cultural preservation, good governance, and regional development. They also pledged to engage closely with BARMM ministries and local stakeholders through meaningful, community-driven projects.

The agreement was formally signed by Prof. Mary Joyce Z. Guinto-Sali, Ph.D. (MSU-TCTO), Dr. Haipa A. Salain (BaSC), Dr. Charisma S. Ututalum, CESE (SSC), and Dr. Sherifa Rohannie K. Adiong (AMSC), with the support of four esteemed witnesses: Dr. Wilham M. Hailaya, Dr. Kartini R. Tahir, Mr. Al-kwarizhme M. Abdusalam, and Ms. Marhada H. Parama. Their presence reflected a strong spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. Lending further significance to the occasion was CHED Executive Director, Atty. Cinderella Benitez-Jaro, whose participation signaled strong national support for higher education institutions championing sustainable development and global cooperation.

The partnership reflects a shared academic commitment and highlights the transformative potential of collaboration in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through collective efforts in education, peacebuilding, and community engagement, the institutions aim to foster lasting peace and inclusive progress throughout the Bangsamoro region.

This shared commitment not only bridges institutions across borders, but also reinforces the role of education as a cornerstone of sustainable development. By aligning local aspirations with global goals, this partnership lays the foundation for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future in the Bangsamoro region and beyond.

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