Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) is strengthening Peace Education in its General Education (GE) curriculum, as President Atty. Cyrus E. Torrena met with Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Philippines and the University of Makati (UMak) on October 28, 2026.
Two Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) are set to be signed: one between SKSU and GPF on the peace education initiative, and a separate one between SKSU and UMak with the aim of forging academic collaboration. Both will be signed simultaneously at UMak during Torrena’s visit to Manila.
The discussion centered on the offering of Peace Education as a stand-alone GE course. It involved GPF Philippines representatives Dr. Lucia B. Dela Cruz, Lead Designer of the GEPED Modules and Adviser for Peace Education Curriculum Development, and Sally P. Quimson, GEPED Coordinator and Trustee for Strategic Partnerships and Peace Education. Following the discussion, President Torrena paid a courtesy call on UMak President Prof. Elyxzur C. Ramos, PhD, CESE.
The discussions build on GPF Philippines’ proposal for the dedicated course, which uses an outline developed by GPF Philippines and the Peace Education Committee, composed of representatives from various higher education institutions.
The proposal is aligned with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 1, series of 2019, which calls for integrating Peace Studies/Education into relevant higher education curricula. CMO No. 42, series of 2021, sets guiding principles for peace education in higher education institutions.
SKSU currently offers the course under the descriptive title “Peace and Development with Emphasis on the Cultures of Mindanao,” which anchors peace learning in the cultural context of the region.
SKSU’s collaboration with GPF began when then–Vice President and later Officer-in-Charge President Dr. Jesusa D. Ortouste attended the Educators Congress at the UMak Auditorium in 2023. It continued under former SKSU President Dr. Samson L. Molao, who contributed a chapter to the GEPED book. In June 2026, five SKSU faculty members joined the Peace Education Trainers’ Training.
The UMak President was also invited to the investiture of the SKSU President in December.
The partnerships reflect SKSU’s commitment to expanding its academic networks and promoting peace education.
