NDMU at the Forefront of ASEAN Expo 2025 in South Cotabato for Youth-Driven Innovation, Cultural Heritage, and a Sustainable Future.
- Notre Dame of Marbel University
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
KORONADAL CITY — Showcasing creativity, collaboration, and community-driven solutions, Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) positioned itself as a hub of innovation and sustainable development during the recent ASEAN Expo 2025, held August 14, at Bro. Renato Cruz Hall.
NDMU President Bro. Paterno S. Corpus, FMS, led the opening ceremony, including key regional officials: Dr. Zohrahayda Panawidan, the Chief Educational Program specialist of Region 12, Mr. Rodel Hilado of the Department of Tourism (DOT), and Atty. Ryan Adolf Lantion of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), emphasizing the importance of partnership between government, schools, and local communities.
“The ASEAN Expo is not just an event—it is a platform where ideas and actions meet. By working together, we can turn sustainable goals into reality,” Bro. Corpus said in his remarks marking the importance of the said event.
The heart of the expo featured exhibits from students and colleges across South Cotabato, showcasing eco-entrepreneurship projects, locally sourced sustainable products, and youth innovations aimed at solving real-world problems.
“These projects are more than school requirements, as they are practical blueprints for a resilient economy and a greener future. Student-leaders are already recognized as vital instruments for these goals, and we are in charge of helping the students facilitate their capabilities,” Carlos Miguel D. Misperos, the Supreme Student Government (SSG) President stated.
Panel discussions were also held on the afternoon, titled as "Weaving Cultures, Sustaining Traditions: Indigenous Peoples and ASEAN Identity” highlighting the significance of integrating cultural heritage, environmental responsibility, and social equity in sustainable development. The panels emphasized that empowering indigenous peoples, particularly women and youth, and integrating their traditional knowledge are essential for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the SDGs 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 17. Key topics of the event included the incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems into higher education, the preservation of cultural heritage as a cornerstone of ASEAN identity, the development of sustainable indigenous cultural tourism to support livelihoods, and the promotion of cultural enterprise as a tool for economic empowerment. The discussions underscored the need for enhanced regional partnerships that recognize and support the invaluable contributions of indigenous peoples to environmental stewardship, social equity, and cultural vibrancy across Southeast Asia.
“The discussion reminded us that a sustainable future must be inclusive, equitable, and culturally grounded. As a biology major, I am so happy that the SDGs are now widely disseminated and highlighted across the academe," said Ramszie Yusseph Salik, the Governor of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).
The event concluded with an awarding ceremony that recognized certain individuals behind the event, as NDMU led the forefront of the ASEAN Expo 2025.
Article by Ace Vincent Diamante, OMNIANA (Official School Publication of NDMU), Opinion Editor
Photos provided by OMNIANA
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