Davao del Sur State College formalized its commitment to peace education by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with ForumZFD at the DSSC Boardroom on August 24, 2026. College President Dr. Augie E. Fuentes signed on behalf of the college, with ForumZFD Country Director Dirgha Raj Sigdel signing for the organization.
The agreement positions DSSC as a prime mover of peace education in Davao del Sur, committing the college to work with ForumZFD in developing and piloting a Peace and Conflict Studies curriculum, supporting faculty in integrating peace topics across disciplines, and engaging students in peacebuilding advocacy. The partnership covers learning and capacity building, research, advocacy, and network building.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Siverlyn M. Camposano and Dr. Sheruel G. Matalandang, Head of the Culture, Arts, Humanities Research and Development Center, were also present at the signing.
The MOU comes on the heels of a Scoping and Syllabus Development Workshop on Peace and Conflict Studies held in Davao City, organized by ForumZFD together with CHED Regional Office XI and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity. DSSC joined that workshop alongside several higher education institutions in the region. The work done there feeds directly into what DSSC and ForumZFD are now committing to carry forward together.
ForumZFD Project Manager Fatima Star U. Lamalan was also present at the signing.
The MOU supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through curriculum development in peace and conflict studies, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by advancing peace education grounded in Mindanao’s experience, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the formal collaboration between DSSC and ForumZFD in promoting peacebuilding through higher education.
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