MSU-Maguindanao and Universitas Gadjah Mada Forge Landmark Partnership on Women, Peace and Security
Yogyakarta, Indonesia – June 18, 2025 — In a milestone event advancing gender-responsive peacebuilding in Southeast Asia, Mindanao State University-Maguindanao (MSU-Maguindanao) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) formalized their academic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Learning Exchange in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The Learning Exchange was supported by UNDP Philippines and the UK Government through the British Embassy Manila, with the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) remaining a central partner in the rollout of the Diploma in Women, Peace and Security (DWPS).
The MOU Signing Ceremony and Discussion Meeting was held at the UGM campus in Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, and was attended by high-level representatives from both institutions. Representing MSU-Maguindanao was Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Dr. Arceli B. Naraga, on behalf of Chancellor Dr. Bai Hejira Nefertiti M. Limbona. UGM was represented by Vice Rector for Education and Teaching, Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, on behalf of Rector Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia.
This event was witnessed by prominent stakeholders and international development partners, including PCID President and MSU Regent Amina Rasul-Bernardo; Dir. Rowena Lopez of OPAPRU; Utami Sandyarani and Zarina Khan of the UK Government; Catherine Joy Rumbines of UNDP Philippines; Kristinna Tanghal of the Bangsamoro Women Commission; and Noraida Datumanong of the Development Academy of the Bangsamoro.
A Shared Vision for Gender-Inclusive Peace and Education
In Chancellor’s message delivered by Vice Chancellor Arceli Naraga, she emphasized the pivotal role of education in shaping peace and empowering women. She underscored MSU-Maguindanao’s mission to provide conflict-sensitive, transformative education that speaks to the lived realities of the Bangsamoro people. With the support of PCID and key institutional partners, she pioneered the Diploma in Women, Peace and Security, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, which bridges academic learning with actionable change in communities.
She expressed deep gratitude to UGM for its openness to partnership, noting that this collaboration strengthens not only institutional relations but also the broader movement toward inclusive education, global solidarity, and localized peacebuilding.
Prof. Udasmoro of UGM reiterated the university’s strong commitment to cross-border collaboration on societal challenges. She emphasized the value of integrating interdisciplinary approaches, sharing research outputs, and facilitating exchanges among students and faculty. UGM’s support is anticipated to broaden the scope and influence of the DWPS program beyond the Philippines.
Statements of Support and Momentum from Key Partners
- Amina Rasul-Bernardo, President of PCID, affirmed that the empowerment of women through education is a necessary condition for sustainable peace and inclusive development.
- Zarina Khan, UK Gender Adviser, called the partnership “a meaningful stride in reshaping peace and gender initiatives,” and reiterated the UK’s long-standing commitment to WPS.
- Catherine Joy Rumbines, UNDP Programme Analyst, celebrated MSU-Maguindanao’s leadership in cultivating women peace leaders and welcomed UGM’s role in expanding these efforts.
- Rowena Lopez, OPAPRU Director, highlighted the potential of the partnership’s research outputs to inform future peace research and policy in the Philippines.
- Pritta Widyanarko, UK Mission to ASEAN, linked the collaboration to wider ASEAN peace and security efforts, seeing this as a model of regional commitment to the WPS agenda.
The ceremony was also attended by UGM’s key leaders from their international and partnership offices, reflecting their full institutional support.
Beyond the Signing: A Commitment to Transformative Action
This partnership is more than a ceremonial agreement — it represents a shared resolve to translate the principles of Women, Peace, and Security into tangible, community-rooted action. It acknowledges the crucial role of academia in advancing peace not only through scholarship but through service and solidarity.
The engagement with Universitas Gadjah Mada marks a significant turning point for MSU-Maguindanao. More than institutional collaboration, it is a reaffirmation of our collective duty to uphold inclusive education that responds to social issues with compassion, academic rigor, and moral clarity. In partnering with one of Indonesia’s most respected universities, we are reminded that the strength of our advocacy lies not only in policy and programs, but in shared values — a deep commitment to peace, justice, and the dignity of every person.
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#UGMIndonesia
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#DWPS
#SDG4QualityEducation
#SDG5GenderEquality
#SDG16PeaceJusticeStrongInstitutions
#SDG17PartnershipsForTheGoals
✍🏻 Alvin Lois E. Pembarat, Allyndra Kate Luis