Ifugao State University – In its efforts to strengthen international academic cooperation and research on indigenous knowledge and sustainable development studies, the Ifugao State University (IFSU) will launch the International Innovation Center for Indigenous Studies on July 12, 2019 at its main campus, Nayon, Lamut, Ifugao. 

The Center is an offshoot of the Memorandum of Understanding between IFSU and the National Chengchi University of Taiwan on May 25, 2019 to establish a Center for Taiwan-Philippines Indigenous, Local Knowledge and Sustainable Development Studies. The Center aims to promote international academic cooperation and research experiences with IFSU, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UHM), and National Chengchi University (NCCU) as main project collaborative partners. 

As a Center, it envisions as the academic pioneer of indigenous knowledge, local knowledge and sustainable development studies; sharing of experience of development and building mutual support between indigenous community in different countries; and the Philippine geography and language as a platform of the international academic community.

Its mission includes Cultural Ecology, Development Studies and Regional Management while its annual goals focus on academic research, social practice and administration. 

The Center prospects to become a sustainable institution to share research results with indigenous peoples, Non-Government Organizations, build a platform cooperated and managed by the international collaborators, and enhance international connections and fund raising.

The current project leader is Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon, University President, with Ms. Eulalie D. Dulnuan, the present Director for the Research and Development of the Ifugao Rice Terraces as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, as Project Manager; Ms. Stephanie S. Ayahao and Paulita Guimangal as Program Development Officer and staff.

Original text: http://ifsu.edu.ph/public/postview/336