THE Research and Social Outreach cluster of Xavier University stages Amaze: A decade of RSO engagements in our common home, a video exhibit showcasing the university’s involvement in Mindanao specifically in the field of research and outreach.
The exhibit runs from February 9 to 15 at the Father Demetrio Gallery located at the 2nd floor of Museo de Oro.
“The exhibit is about a decade of engagements of the Research and Social Outreach cluster of the university,” said Evans Rosauro Yonson, XU Press director adding, “Under the RSO, there are 13 different units dealing with research and social outreach. The exhibit features several works that have been done by the 13 units throughout the decade of existence of the RSO. The collection on display here are works that we have done outside the university.”
Xavier University’s Research and Social Outreach cluster is the university’s arm that deals with college-based and non-college based programs on research and outreach. Through the RSO cluster, the university is able to share its resources and expertise in five thematic areas of engagement. These five areas are Food Security, Health, Environment, Governance, and Peace.
“We call it AMAZE because it stands for Ateneo Magis Zeal of Engagements. It’s one of a kind. It’s the first time here in Xavier University where the exhibit is paperless,” said Yonson who added that, as part of their environmental advocacy, they’ve also recycled tarpaulins and sintra boards from previous engagements for use in the exhibit.
There are seven videos featured in the exhibit highlighting several of the many projects and programs the RSO cluster has done in the last 10 years in the five thematic areas. The exhibit includes a series of MTVs produced the year previous which talks about the environment.
“The goal is simply celebrating 10 years of the existence of the cluster and we wanted to show not only the university but also the city what Xavier University RSO has done not only here but also outside of Cagayan de Oro.”
The RSO cluster has implemented projects not only in Cagayan de Oro and Region 10 but has also executed programs in other parts of Mindanao, Cotabato and Maguindanao to name a couple.
One notable RSO program is Ridge, River, Reef which is the cluster’s environmental program focusing on the Cagayan de Oro River system; from the water’s source in the mountains, to the river itself, down to where the water finally ends, in Macajalar Bay.
“We have projects in Talakag, in Baungon, and we have the Cagayan de Oro Riverbasin Management Council which the university acts as secretariat, and then we have the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance.”
Yonson shared that even before Typhoon Washi (Sendong), they already foresaw the need for a program that would see to the protection, preservation, rehabilitation, and management of the Cagayan de Oro riverbasin.
Yonson said that through their partnership with the LGUs, some of the barangays, specifically those located close to the river and bay, have developed their own policies for the environment, “It’s basically empowering the local communities.”
Other programs and projects include the running of peace camps for high school students; the creation, development and rolling out of modules to train government employees in the different aspects of governance such as management, administration, and logistics to mention a few; and the creation of peace centers in several schools in the city.