With over 150 registered participants from five countries, the first-ever Connecting Asia: International Dialogues on Culturally Responsive Pedagogy via Zoom sponsored by the University Office of Internationalization, Linkages and ETEEAP of DMMMSU in partnership with Van Lang University (Vietnam), Daffodil International University (Bangladesh), Udon Thani Rajabhat University (Thailand), Universitas Tunas Pembangunan (Indonesia), and Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (Indonesia) was successfully held on November 12, 2021.

The dialogues brought together top policymakers, scholars, managers, and practitioners from the arts, culture and allied sectors from around the Southeast Asian region to deepen understanding of culturally responsive education and the tools needed to transform classrooms and curricula that support students’ success.

Five promiment resource persons were invited to speak on a number of topics. The international speakers included Dr. Viboon Pensuk, Vice President of UDRU, Thailand who spoke on “ASEAN Arts and Culture as Means for Social Engagement”. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Thoyibi of UMS, Indoneisa gave his insights on the “Significance of Culture-based Education: Sustaning Pedagogy in a Literacy Classroom”. Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Lan, Head of Global Engagement at the International Education Institute of VLU (Vietnam) talked about “Cultural Diversity in Transnational Education: Building Bridges of Understanding”.

Meanwhile, two experts in multimedia arts and music from the Philippines and Bangladesh were among the other speakers. Prof. Dipty Rahman of DIU shed light on “Media Arts: Storytelling Principles”. Dr. Bienvenido B. Constantino, founder and conductor of Cordillera Chamber Singers and faculty member of DMMMSU, discussed the “Digital Turn in Music Education: Changing Pedagogies in Teaching Music”.

Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, DMMMSU President, welcomed the participants and highlighted that DMMMSU “has been pushing forward people-to-people connectivity, and by doing so, we also celebrating exchanges of cultural festivities, diversity, friendship and harmony”. 

Dr. Jesus Rafael B. Jarata, Director for Internationalization, Linkages and ETEEAP thanked the participants and the organizing committee for the success of this event.

“Like a celebration of diversity and unity, divergence and convergence, this year’s Connecting Asia is indeed a fiesta of multiple hands and minds. Promoting connectivity is an important part of this event—and we owe big thanks to the DMMMSU administration, campus officials, IZN Campus Heads and the technical support staff”, Dr. Jarata said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Elsie M. Pacho, Vice President for Academic Affairs, assured participants that there will be more international collaborative activities geared towards promotion of Asian culture and the arts in 2022.

Ms. Abelynn T. Llarenas (DMMMSU) and Dr. Mohammad Ali Yafi (UTP) served as moderators in the day-long sessions.

This program is a part of the DMMMSU Inter-Institutional Internationalization Festival 2021. (JRBJ)