BulSU dean pitches for inclusion of ASEAN in curriculum
MALOLOS CITY — There is so much more in and about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that people do not know yet, but must know by now.
In his message during Friday’s ASEAN Campus Forum which was attended by around 1,200 students, Bulacan State University (BulSU) College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Dean Gerald Hilario said the youth need to know and learn more about ASEAN.
“Our school takes advantage of forums such as this because of its significance. Additional knowledge is always value added to our students,” Hilario shared.
In line with this, Hilario stressed that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) might consider including ASEAN in the curriculum given its si gni fi cance.
“We have to include ASEAN in the curriculum. CHED might consider this. Anyway, it’s never too late to include it so we can learn more of it,” he said.
On another note, the dean expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for involving BulSU in its ASEAN Information Drive.
“This forum is definitely one way for the students to not get left behind as to what was, what is, and what will be in ASEAN,” he added.
“In the very real sense, we are ASEAN. We can no longer say that we are only Filipinos for we have to boldly make it known that we are ASEAN,” Hilario furthered.
“As part of hyping the Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN this 2017, PIA in Central Luzon held campus forums in different provinces to educate and pitch support from the youth in this endeavor,” PIA Regional Director William Beltran said.
Each forum featured discussions on the Political-Security Community, Economic Community, and Socio-Cultural Community Pillars.
BulSU served as the eight and final host of PIA Region 3’s ASEAN Campus Forum.
A similar activity was earlier held in Tarlac State University, Central Luzon State University, Aurora State College of Technology, Tarlac Agricultural University, Bataan Peninsula State University, Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, and Pampanga State Agricultural University.
Apart from this, PIA Region 3 likewise conducted two Multi-Sectoral Forums with Information and Service Caravan in Pampanga and Bulacan in partnership with various national government agencies as well as a Peoples’Day in Baler, Aurora in coordination with the municipal government.
Moreover, an ASEAN Information Kiosk was installed at the Departure area of Clark International Airport and a Roving Information Kiosk is currently touring malls and schools around Central Luzon. — Jean Ricelle A. Aquino/ CLJD/ PIA-3