NEUST ReCIPE, UniSAg to strengthen IPEd

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), through its Regional Center for Indigenous Peoples Education (ReCIPE), shared its best practices and programs with the University of San Agustin (UniSAg) during the benchmarking activity at the Rico Fajardo Hall, Sumacab Campus on June 3-5, 2025.

The three-day activity also fostered institutional collaboration between NEUST ReCIPE and UniSAg’s Center for Heritage and Indigenous Cultures (CHIC) that aimed to promote inclusive, culturally grounded education while advocating for IP rights and heritage preservation.

Under the leadership of NEUST President Dr. Rhodora Jugo, sustainable community engagement is given priority in support for IP communities.

“Sa pamamagitan ng ating pagsasama-sama bilang mga eksperto, policymakers, at indigenous leaders, maaari tayong bumuo ng isang komprehensibo at nakabatay sa komunidad na estratehiya upang protektahan ang karapatan at lupain ng mga katutubo (IPs),” said President Jugo.

“Dapat nating tiyakin na ang anumang interbensyon, maging ito man ay para sa kalusugan, edukasyon, o pag-unlad, ay pinamumunuan ng mga komunidad ng IPs at iginagalang ang kanilang awtonomiya,” the NEUST President added.

She also urged IP youth to embrace their heritage while pursuing education for community advancement.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vilma Ramos, head of NEUST ReCIPE, presented during the benchmarking activity the functions, projects, and advocacy work of the center, including the center’s IP-focused research and programs, which opened discussions for future collaborations between the institutions. 

Emphasizing the power of unity among IPs in shaping national development, CHIC Director John Paul Petrola said the IP education builds a sense of belonging, which can grow into a sense of nationalism, adding that the ball is in the hands of the young IPs now.

Present during the event were Dr. Rommel Espejo, Director of NEUST Institute of Linguistics and Literature (IOLL); Dr. Donato Bumacas, Provincial Director of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); and NEUST’s IP faculty, students, and members of Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) in Nueva Ecija.

#NEUSTGLOBAL
#NEUSTReCIPE
#Benchmarking
#ReCIPExUSACHIC
#SDG4QualityEducation
#SDG10ReducedInequalities
#SDG11SustainableCitiesAndCommunities
#SDG17PartnershipsForTheGoals