Butuan City — The Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) proudly joined national and international stakeholders in the successful conduct of the 2024 Joint International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) and International Mother Language Day (IMLD) Conference, held from February 23 to 25 at Caraga State University (CSU) in Butuan City.
The three-day international conference gathered educators, researchers, policymakers, cultural advocates, and community leaders to discuss and advance the role of indigenous languages in inclusive, lifelong learning. Co-organized by ASSCAT, CSU, Talaytayan Multilingual Education Inc., Philippine Normal University, and the Tebtebba Foundation, the event underscored the collective commitment of academic institutions and civil society to preserve linguistic heritage and promote language diversity in education and beyond.
The conference opened with messages from partner institutions, including a keynote address from ASSCAT College President Dr. Joy C. Capistrano, who emphasized the importance of integrating mother tongue and indigenous knowledge into education systems. Her message echoed the spirit of the event—collaboration, advocacy, and academic exchange rooted in cultural respect and educational equity.
On the same evening, ASSCAT’s Saliao Performing Arts Guild captivated participants and guests during the Fellowship and Mayor’s Night at the Activity Loft of the HERO Learning Commons. Through a vibrant and expressive cultural performance, the group showcased the richness of Filipino tradition and the vitality of indigenous narratives expressed through dance, music, and storytelling.
The second day featured a full schedule of plenary talks, research presentations, and parallel sessions, offering insights on mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE), language preservation efforts, and the alignment of education programs with national frameworks such as the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF). Faculty members from ASSCAT played an active role as moderators, facilitating thoughtful discourse and ensuring smooth transitions between sessions. Their participation contributed to the conference’s inclusive and collegial atmosphere.
Day three continued with the theme “Reshaping Education through Language, Literacy, and Lifelong Learning.” Discussions focused on how language revitalization efforts can reshape teaching and learning approaches in ways that affirm identity and community. The conference concluded with messages of appreciation and renewed commitments among the organizing partners.
ASSCAT extends its heartfelt gratitude to its fellow organizers, speakers, moderators, and participants for making the conference a meaningful platform for knowledge-sharing and advocacy. As the global community observes the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, ASSCAT remains firm in its dedication to championing linguistic diversity, cultural sustainability, and academic inclusivity.
Salamat kadiyaw ug Dalaygon and Dios!