In line with the celebration of the university’s Indigenous Peoples and Museum Month, Saint Mary’s University (SMU) through the Community Engagement and Indigenous Peoples Studies Center (CEIPSC) gathered 13 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as it hosts the fourth-quarter workshop of the Amianan Consortium at Fr. Gerry Bouckaert Hall, October 7.

Participating HEIs discussed consortium initiatives, research collaboration, and plans for next fiscal year, updates on inter-HEI initiatives, the onboarding of HEIs intending to join the consortium, and the designation of official focal persons and representatives.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Gertrude Danao, Dean of the School of Advanced Studies, emphasized that despite coming from different places, the event  serves as a reminder that everyone can bring differences together in the name of doing research and initiatives that extend beyond conferences for the future of Northen Luzon.

“We do not have to do research alone, we can share expertise, resources, experiences and even research ethics. More importantly, let us ensure that our research does not simply remain in journals and conferences,” the Dean said.

“Let our knowledge reach classrooms, communities, and policy makers. Let us make a difference. It is with hope that the Amianan Consortium becomes not just a network of institutions but a community of scholars working together to preserve our heritage, strengthen our communities and shape the future of Northern Luzon,” she added.

More so, SMU President Dr. John Octavious Palina delivered an opening message highlighting the relevance of strategic partnerships in expanding the institution’s reach beyond the province and advancing its research initiatives.

“One of the university’s strategic goals is to go beyond the province where it operates. We always look for partners, and share ideas, knowledge and resources to accomplish a  particular objective especially on joint conduct of projects, and collaborative research which will be part of your discussions. The consortium is a very good opportunity for us to work with other brilliant minds and I am happy that the Amianan Consoritumn can be a significant partnership that can lead us toward the attainment of our goals on research and other projects,” Dr. Palina said.

Consequently, the meeting was called to order by Farland Valera, the Director of the Amianan Consortium,  eventually proceeding to the discussion of the finalization of committee memberships, scheduling of conferences, trainings, seminars, and other capacity-building activities for 2027, and the formation of working teams for Indigenous knowledge-related development projects.

Meanwhile, the afternoon workshop focused on collaborative research, including the formulation of research topics, alignment of institutional niches, formation of institutional and inter-institutional research teams, and consultations on strengthening institutional research centers.

Participants discussed two topics: language vitality and governance in relation to indigenous culture studies which were presented in hopes of developing these into proposals for possible National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) grant submission in 2027.

The 3 participating HEIs areCentral Luzon State University, Cordillera Career Development College, University of the Philippines Baguio City, Divine Word College Bangued, Abra, Lyceum of Appari, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Aurora State College of Technology, Union Christian College, Cagayan State University Carig Campus, Benguet State University and Saint Mary’s University.

The Amianan Consortium is a network of HEIs focused on indigenous knowledge studies and research concerning cultural communities in Northern Philippines. Its activities include research and development capacity-building, collaborative research projects, academic publications, policy inputs, and the exchange of academic and research outputs through symposia, forums, and conferences.

The consortium was formally established on May 19, 2026, when its memorandum of understanding was signed at the Cordillera Career Development College in La Trinidad, Benguet. Saint Mary’s University is among its 15 founding member-signatories.

The consortium’s network developed from discussions among HEI representatives beginning in 2024, with the name “Amianan Consortium” emerging during an Indigenous Knowledge Research Forum in April 2025.