Empowered Youth, Global Vision: PRISM Leads CMC’s ASEAN Month Efforts

In response to CHED Regional Office XII’s call to celebrate the 58th ASEAN Month, Central Mindanao Colleges (CMC) took the lead in organizing a preparatory meeting for Cotabato Province and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on August 6, 2025, at the CMC Annex Campus in Kidapawan City. The initiative was spearheaded by the Center for International Affairs and Linkages (CIAL) in close partnership with PRISM-Passionate and Responsive Individuals for Strategic Internationalization and Sustainable Development in Mindanao, the official student organization under CIAL.

 

The preparatory meeting gathered International Relations Officers (IROs), ASEAN focal persons, and student representatives from higher education institutions across Cotabato Province and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to coordinate collaborative contributions to the IZN and TNHE Caravan. The Caravan is part of the ASEAN Month’s Week 4 celebration, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” and highlights internationalization efforts, student innovations, MSME booths, and cultural exchanges.

 

At the center of these preparations were PRISM student volunteers, who took full ownership of the event’s logistics and technical support. From managing registration and documentation to assisting with the program flow and technical setup, PRISM showcased the potential of empowered student leadership in institutional activities aligned with global engagement.

 

Cristoper D. Fernando, President of PRISM, emphasized the importance of student involvement in shaping the direction of internationalization at the grassroots level.

 

“We are proud to be given the opportunity to lead this initiative. As students, we bring energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives to the table. Our participation in the ASEAN Month celebration is a chance to show that young people can be drivers of international collaboration and sustainable development-not just passive observers,” he shared during the meeting.

 

CMC also presented its proposed contributions for the upcoming celebration, including an MSME product exhibit featuring locally made goods from Kidapawan City, a cultural showcase highlighting Mindanao’s rich heritage, student innovation booths with interdisciplinary projects, and engagements on Transnational Higher Education (TNHE) and Internationalization (IZN) through panel discussions and expo-style activities.

 

The active involvement of PRISM in planning and coordination is a reflection to CMC’s institutional commitment to building student agency and nurturing globally minded leaders. More than just logistical support, the student-led contributions reflect a deeper understanding of what it means to localize global frameworks like ASEAN integration and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

As Central Mindanao Colleges continues its preparations for Cotabato Province’s participation in the regional ASEAN Month festivities, it strengthens its role as a hub of academic diplomacy and youth empowerment in Mindanao, ensuring meaningful contributions to the actual celebration.

Through the collective efforts of CIAL and PRISM, CMC reaffirms its vision of making internationalization not just an institutional mandate, but a shared journey- where students are not only participants but leaders in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.

 

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