LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN, November 8, 2018 – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones underscored the importance of discovering the untouched richness of Pangasinan’s history in the recently concluded conference in the province.

“The focus on Pangasinan history, culture, and economy is very significant. The research and collaboration of various universities in the province is very important to the country. The province has played a major role in our history during the war, and has produced a number of great personalities and artist through the years. It is important for Pangasinenses to be aware of their history – not just what is happening right now in terms of current politics, but also what has happened before, and what makes Pangasinan have a special place in the scheme of things in the country,” Briones told the delegates of the 1st International Conference on Pangasinan Studies (ICPS) 2018 at the Sison Auditorium Capitol Complex in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

The ICPS 2018 aimed to cultivate dialogue and linkage in promoting interest and heightened awareness about the province of Pangasinan and its people. It convenes stakeholders, advocates, practitioners, scholars, and researchers engaged in the interdisciplinary study of development, arts and culture, literature and language, history, education, tourism, trade, and business economics of Pangasinan from its past and in contemporary perspectives. It likewise sought to strengthen practitioners’, stakeholders’, and scholars’ collaboration with partner institutions in the region, and enhance academic exchanges with other international academic, development, and non-governmental institutions.

“The CPS plays an important role in focusing on Pangasinan, and hopefully the researches and advocacies will be reflected in our educational system and in our curriculum, and will be used by other universities and the DepEd institutions here in the province,” Briones added.

The three-day event featured plenary and parallel sessions, presentations, inspirational messages, cultural performances, social events, and a day tour.

The Pangasinan provincial government, the University of the Philippines, and the five Pangasinan higher education institutions (HEIs), namely the Colegio De Dagupan, Lyceum-North Western University, University of Luzon, University of Pangasinan, and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, established the CPS three years ago. Its objective is to be a repository of documents on and about Pangasinan, and to create an avenue for various scholars, researchers, members of the academe, students, and other stakeholders to come together to share their knowledge on, and passion for the province.

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