Mindanao Reader visits Sulu Part II

The main purpose of my coming to Sulu is to visit the Mindanao State University-Sulu to conduct a consultation among the student leaders and check their welfare. MSU-Sulu is one of the eleven campuses of the MSU-System. As an  MSU campus, it has the mandate to intensify education of the Muslim youth and to empower them. This is necessary to implement the government's policy on integrating the Muslims and other minorities into the body politics.

MSU-Sulu

MSU-Sulu Department Nursing.

MSU-Sulu was established in 1974 by the Mindanao State University Board of Regents through resolution 860. The objective was to make it a tool to rehabilitate Sulu and address the Tausug rebellion. Accordingly, one of the commanders, the famous Commander Camlon, in a consultation with the Commission on National Integration asked for a university--so there was the MSU-Sulu.

In the school year 2009-2010, this campus registered 4130 students. It literally competes with the Moro armed groups in recruiting the youth. Every Tausug youth who couldn't attend tertiary education increases its probability to carry arms and join them (armed groups) in the mountains. That's why it is imperative for the government to pour out its resources for the campus development to attract more students.

With the SSG Presidentiables Nhur-in and Jemar

The dynamic student leaders of Sulu.

Benhar and a lady friend. Benhar is a student of MSU-Patikul Agricultural extension. 

Sharing smiles with Radz, Zorayda, Nhur-in and Dang. 

Photo-ops with the grandson of Commander Camlon. I couldn't imagine the hardships of his grandpa. The son of  Camlon is working at  MSU-Sulu. Others are in the armed forces of the Philippines. 

 She's a dedicated  faculty with PhD in agriculture who conducts classes in  nearby MSU-Maimbong Agricultural Extension. They are the unsung heroes whose contribution in education and peace development are rarely mentioned. They are the agents of peace. She once shared that classes are suspended if there are AFP and Abu Sayyaf encounters in the area. 

Mindanao State University-Sulu continues to perform its duty to educate and equip our Tausug brothers and sisters and other ethnic tribes in the Sulu and nearby Islands. I shared to them that hopefully one day, when the people of the North will hear the word Sulu, it will no longer be the picture of war and the Moro rebels that will first enter their minds, but a picture of MSU-Sulu and its students laughing peacefully interacting with the teachers.

There are still many things that need to be improved in the school such as maintenance and repairs of some buildings.It might be due to limited fundings and some leadership and cultural factor. It is for the Chancellor to zealously outsource funds from the higher authorities and even politicians. With a joint effort of the administration, faculty, staffs, students, alumni, LGU, and the community, this campus will reach far and widen its impact on education and peace development.

With MSU-Sulu committed to its mandate plus the peace-loving students who will eventually hold key positions in the society, I am confident that lasting peace will eventually reign in the region. On this I hope. And I believe it will come to pass.