Bangsamoro History writing

Bangsamoro heritage exhibits

The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH), in steadfast partnership with the Department of History at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), spearheads the transformative Writing of Bangsamoro History (WOBH) Project through a formal Memorandum of Agreement. This collaborative initiative empowers faculty, researchers, and community leaders to document and critically narrate the rich, authentic history of the Bangsamoro people, particularly in areas like Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur drawing from lived experiences, local voices, and scholarly rigor. 

By reclaiming and preserving Bangsamoro narratives, the partnership advances peace-building, strengthens cultural institutions, and directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), ensuring that the heritage, identity, and dignity of the Bangsamoro are safeguarded and celebrated for generations to come. 

Cultural mapping

Iligan history writing

Assistance to heritage-related policy-making

The Department of History at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), in strategic partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iligan City, drives initiatives to document, preserve, and promote the city's rich heritage through cultural mapping, the landmark Project Kaagi: Iligan History Book Project, and assistance in shaping heritage policies. This collaboration, formalized via a Memorandum of Agreement, positions MSU-IIT faculty as technical experts and project leaders, fostering innovation in faculty and leader development while delivering tangible public service outcomes. 

A prime example is the successful "Hulagway" photo exhibit launched during the 75th Araw ng Iligan on June 16, 2025, which vividly showcased socio-political history through photographs, engaging the community in appreciating Iligan's past. Culminating in the official unveiling of Kaagi, Iligan's first comprehensive history book on December 30, 2025, during Rizal Day, these efforts strengthen local identity, support institutional research, and contribute to sustainable cultural preservation for future generations. 

Cultural Mapping

Training site

The Ethnic Center in Iligan City serves as a vital training site and showcase for the Cultural Mapping Project, a collaborative initiative led by the Department of History at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iligan City. Conducted starting around 2019 (building on earlier seminar-workshops from 2017 and the "Iliganong Kabilin" extension project), this effort systematically identifies, documents, and inventories the city's tangible and intangible cultural heritage in compliance with Republic Act 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act). 

Employing participatory methodology, mainly with qualitative approaches, the project addresses vulnerabilities and neglect of cultural properties while involving community stakeholders. The Ethnic Center, home to exhibits on Iligan's multicultural diversity, indigenous traditions, and historical artifacts, functions as a practical hands-on venue for training, capacity-building, and public education, reinforcing MSU-IIT's commitment to heritage preservation, local identity, and sustainable cultural governance. 

Training site

Talks on digital history and smart city initiatives

The Department collaborates with CDIIS on digital heritage and smart city–aligned initiatives including the Digital History Project and curated digital exhibitions on local histories. The partnership is still at its early stages with initial talks and plans for details of the possible activities. CDIIS also provides internship opportunities for BA History students and capacity-building activities in digital tools, virtual museum applications, and heritage documentation. 

Museo de Iligan

Conduct of exhibits via Project Pasundayag

In partnership with the Department of Tourism, the Department of History conducts dynamic public exhibits under Project Pasundayag: A Public History Exhibits (2023-2025). This innovative extension initiative advances faculty and leader development by emphasizing experiential public history and 21st-century digital literacy, evolving from foundational workshops and competitions in 2023 to advanced specialized training in 2025. Key highlights include collaborations with external experts from UP-Diliman and UP-Cebu for workshops on digital history and exhibit design, extended to LGU representatives, secondary school teachers, and the broader community. 

Through this partnership, Project Pasundayag delivers engaging exhibits such as the “Hulagway” and the Diyandi Festival showcase, fostering historical awareness, cultural appreciation, and regional leadership in modern heritage practice while connecting Iligan's past to its vibrant present. The upcoming opening of Museo de Iligan is anticipated to provide further opportunities for collaborative public exhibits.

Co-organizing fora on Mindanao culture-related topics

The Department partners with the Mindanao Cultural Workers Group in organizing culture-focused seminars and dialogues centered on Mindanao culture and histories such as the webinar on Moro blades and other weapons  during the Spanish and American era and about the Battle of Bayang and Bacolod. The collaboration supports public scholarship and strengthens networks among researchers, cultural practitioners, and community stakeholders. 

 Participation of MSU-IIT students in selected online courses of UH-Manoa; co-organizing of fora related to Philippine Studies

The partnership with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa facilitates visiting scholarships, academic exchanges, and collaborative fora in Philippine Studies. It also supports joint and online academic engagements that broaden transpacific research dialogue. 

International Exposure programs

Graduate Knowledge Exchange

The Department collaborates with Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta and Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta in implementing International Exposure Programs that integrates academic engagement with cultural immersion. The program includes heritage site visits, museum and archive engagements, embassy visit and lectures on Indonesian history, politics, and culture. Designed as structured experiential learning, the initiative enables students to apply disciplinary training in regional and transnational contexts. 

Through partnerships with Peking University (School of Foreign Languages) and Beijing Foreign Studies University (School of Asian Studies), the Department advances graduate-level research exchange and undergraduate international exposure initiatives. The Graduate Knowledge Exchange Program facilitates scholarly dialogue and research presentations, while the International Exposure Program for BA History (International Track) combines academic sessions with guided cultural immersion. Together, these collaborations strengthen comparative scholarship and sustained institutional engagement. 

Moro and IP history writing

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in partnership with the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH) and the Department of History of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), embarks on a collaborative research endeavor aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Islamized ethnolinguistic communities across Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. The project reflects MSU-IIT's commitment to advancing historical scholarship and cultural preservation in the Bangsamoro region.