Bridging Boundaries: MSU-IIT houses PPSA International Conference 2024

by Maan Deuda


With the theme “Reimagining Margins, Reclaiming Borders”, the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA), in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Philippines Office, Philippine Social Science Council, and the Mindanao State University - Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) launched its 2024 International Conference on May 2 at the MSU-IIT University gymnasium.


Set to last until May 4th, the conference brought together scholars and practitioners all over the country and across the globe to challenge existing knowledge in the field of political science and explore ways to advance the field’s understanding.


Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer, a 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of the discipline and the need to deepen its knowledge to better comprehend and reshape the world. Ferrer highlighted the necessity for scholars and practitioners of Political Science to rethink and redefine boundaries within various contexts. She further elucidated that this year’s PPSA International Conference theme serves as a call to rethink traditional divisions and create spaces that reflect a more inclusive and equitable understanding of society and culture.


The opening ceremony commenced with remarks from MSU-IIT Chancellor Alizedney Ditucalan, followed by a message from Ms. Daniela Braun, the Country Director of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. Dr. Jan Robert R. Go, President of the PPSA also delivered his opening remarks, highlighting the goals of this year’s international conference and extending a warm welcome to the participants. Following the opening ceremonies, participants dispersed to their respective sessions held at the CSM, PRISM, and CED lecture halls.


The first day of the conference had two plenary sessions and three concurrent sessions. The first concurrent session tackled five topics namely: ‘The Environmental Dimensions of Political Conflict and Violence,’ ‘Power in Bangsamoro,’ ‘Technocrats, Coalitions, and Dynasties’, ‘ASEAN and RCEP,’ and ‘Politics of Disaster and Pandemic.’ In the afternoon, the second session also covered five topics: ‘Religion and Culture,’ ‘Social Media and Elections,’ ‘Gender and Families; Indigeneity,’ and ‘Trust and Democracies.’


Following the insightful sessions, the second plenary took place at the gymnasium with Dr. Go, as the plenary moderator as well as Dr. Aries Arugay from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Dr. Elaine Baulete from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, and Asst. Prof. Ciela Marie Pacopia from the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology. This session delved into the challenges and triumphs of academia in advancing the knowledge of political science, allowing participants to pose questions and share their insights.


The first day of the international conference drew to a close with a vibrant cultural night and dinner, where attendees were treated to performances by MSU-IIT’s resident cultural groups, including Kalilangan, the Octava Choral Society, and Echoes. The second day of the conference scheduled on May 3 was held at the same locations, featuring 28 topics divided into eight concurrent sessions.


The PPSA 2024 International Conference was sponsored by the Iligan City Mayor’s Office, the Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros, and the Office of Representative Celso G Regencia. The PPSA is a group of academic professionals founded in 1962 that is a non-partisan and non-sectarian organization that aims to unite political scientists from various backgrounds to improve the understanding of Asian politics and discuss different topics in Political Science. The PPSA also publishes a Scopus Indexed Journal — the Philippine Political Science Journal (PPSJ).