USTP Panaon joins CHED initiative on peace education and curriculum development
By Gizelle John M. Tacas-tacas, MBA, LPT, CET Coordinator, USTP Panaon
Share:
The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Panaon, Misamis Occidental (USTP Panaon) participated in a two-day plenary seminar on April 6–7, 2026, at Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan, aimed at strengthening the integration of peace education within the academic curriculum.
Representing the campus was Gizelle John M. Tacas-tacas, instructor of Philippine Indigenous Communities and Peace Studies Education (PICPE).
The seminar, titled “Weaving Peace into Every Thread,” focused on integrating Peace Education into General Education (GE) courses in response to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 1, which promotes the institutionalization of peace-building values across higher education institutions.
The event gathered key figures in education and regional leadership, including CHED Region 10 officials Rose Mae T. Lumasag, Education Supervisor, and Arlita Amapola B. Minguez, Ph.D., Officer-in-Charge. Their presence underscored the region’s commitment to advancing peace education as a vital component of higher education.
The plenary sessions featured discussions and workshops led by experts such as Mark Anthony Torres, Ph.D., Director of the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM). The sessions emphasized the integration of peace education across core GE subjects, including Understanding the Self, Purposive Communication, National Service Training Program (NSTP), Ethics, and Science, Technology, and Society (STS).
During the workshop phase, participants were grouped according to their respective subject areas. Representing USTP Panaon, Mr. Tacas-tacas joined the Ethics group, where participants developed strategies for integrating peace concepts into course content.
The workshop adopted a technology-driven approach to curriculum development. Participants utilized artificial intelligence tools to draft individual learning outcomes (ILOs) focused on peace integration, reviewed the outputs to ensure quality and relevance, and aligned Program Outcomes with the newly developed course ILOs. This process ensured coherence across subjects while avoiding redundancy in the integration of peace education concepts.
The second day concluded with a review of the Peace Education (CPEd) Constitution and By-Laws, followed by the awarding of certificates to participants.
USTP Panaon’s participation in the seminar marks a significant step in enhancing its General Education curriculum, ensuring that students are not only academically competent but also equipped as peacebuilders in their communities. The activity concluded with a call for educators to continue fostering environments where conflict is addressed through research, dialogue, and ethical understanding.
Follow us:
Contact us:
+63(88)857-1738 local 1118
[email protected]
