Books On Mindanao Studies Launched

Secy. Jesus G.Dureza, of the Mindanao Economic Development Council and University of the Philippines-Mindanao Chancellor Ricardo de Ungria hand a set of books to Macario Tiu, of the Ateneo de Davao University, during the launching of the Mindanao Studies Publication (MSP) in Davao City.

DAVAO CITY (MEDCo / 05 Jan) Policy makers, scholars, researchers, and other stakeholders in peace and development work can now refer to a comprehensive listing of research studies and researchers from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and other institutions on Mindanao studies, with the recent launching of the Mindanao Studies Publication (MSP) in Davao City.

The ceremony was attended by key personalities involved in peace and development work in the region. The MSP launching marked an important milestone in setting the research agenda for the Mindanao's transformation.

A brainchild of the Mindanao Studies Consortium Foundation, Inc., (MSCFI), a Mindanao-wide organization of institutions from the academe, non-government organizations (NGOs) and government sectors, the MSP was commissioned in November 2002 to gather titles of research studies and highlight geographical areas that current research initiatives focus on.

The MSP was also conceptualized to identify gaps, and priority areas of study where multi-stakeholder networking and collaboration are needed. Specifically, the MSP refers to three publication outputs -- the Annotated Bibliography of Mindanao studies, Directory of Resource Centers and Researchers in Mindanao -- and Kamalig 1.0, an interactive CD-ROM version of the Annotated Bibliography of Mindanao Studies and the Directory of Resource Centers and Researches in Mindanao.

Composed of two volumes, the Annotated Bibliography contains bibliographical essays of scholarly works, researches and studies made in Mindanao. It also presents critical reviews on the various works and identifies gaps in research initiatives, in order to rationalize research initiatives and scholarships, as well as develop a research agenda for Mindanao.

The Annotated Bibliography's first volume features Mindanao studies oneducation, science and technology, information technology, engineeringand food technology. On the other hand, its second volume, include sstudies on peace, gender and health-related issues, socio-economy and politics.

For its part, the Directory of Resource Centers and Researchers in Mindanao provides a listing of experts who are involved with Mindanao studies.

The directory also presents scholars in Islamic studies, madrasah education, peace and development, as well as public administration, among others.

It also includes a list of the state colleges and universities in Mindanao.

"The Mindanao Studies Publication is a welcome initiative, as it highlights the role of research in addressing development problems in Mindanao. Academic theory and research should play a crucial role instrengthening stakeholder capabilities, and improving theirinterventions for development," said Jesus Dureza, chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council.

The MSP launching was also attended by Fr Albert A. Alejo, executive director of Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue (MICD); Dr Sophremiano Antipolo, director of the University of Southeastern Philippines' Mindanao Center for Policy Studies; Mr Ricardo de Ungria, chancellor of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao and also vice chairman of the Mindanao Studies Consortium Foundation, Inc. (MSCFI) and Dr Steven Rood, country representative of the Asia Foundation Inc.

Completed in April 2004, the MSP was published in cooperation with the MICD, and supported by the Toyota Foundation, Inc. (TFI), the Asia Foundation, Inc., as well as the Government of the Philippines in partnership with the United Nations Development Program Multi Donor Programme Phase 3 (GOP-UNMDP3).

The MSP is also supported by MSCFI members such as the Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), Dansalan College Foundation, Inc. (DCFI), MEDCo, Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC), Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Mindanao State University-Marawi City (MSU-Marawi), UP-Mindanao, USEP, and Western Mindanao State University.

For inquiries on the MSP, interested parties may contact: the Finance Department, AFRIM, Anda Corporate Center, Anda Street, DavaoCity (telephone numbers 082-2264592 / 226-3932); Management and Information Systems (MIS) Division, MEDCo, 4F, SS Building, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City (telephone numbers 082-2211345 loc. 405).