THE University of Santo Tomas (UST) Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED), together with the UST Graduate School, Journal of Social Health (JoSH), Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) chairma in Adult Literacy at the University of East Anglia and University of Sussex in United Kingdom, and Tribhuvan University in Nepal, led the 3rd Gender, Adult Literacy, and Active Citizenship for Social Transformation (Galacst) International Conference at the UST Thomas Aquinas Research Center on April 25 and 26, 2024.
The hybrid conference was attended by over 3,000 participants from across the globe.
According to Prof. Ma. Teresa Tricia Guison-Bautista, MD, of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who also served as chair of the conference, the 3rd Galacst was designed to "raise awareness on the diverse ways universities can collaborate with communities to improve public health outcomes, share best practices and innovative approaches to public health challenges, foster dialogue between stakeholders including academicians, community leaders, policymakers, and practitioners, and explore sustainable solutions that prioritize community needs and empower individuals and communities to take charge of their health and well-being."
The conference commenced with a welcome message from Assoc. Prof. Michael Peralta, Msc, MSPT, LI.M. on behalf of Rev. Fr. Jannel Abogado, OP, D.Th.Sc.Pat, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation where he highlighted that the "nexus between active citizenship and the SDGs is profound. Active citizens play a vital role in holding governments and institutions accountable for their commitments to sustainable development."
He also shared about the integral role of gender equality, adult literacy, and active citizenship to advancing the UN SDGs.
The opening remarks of Prof. Michael Anthony Vasco, PhD, Dean of UST Graduate School stressed that "public health concerns should be given priority since any challenges and problems in public health greatly affects the day-to-day functions of society. It may disrupt the economic, political, social, and academic functions which affect the stability of nation-states."
Assoc. Prof. Lourdes Maglinao, M.D., MHPEd, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery further explained that "by fostering gender and adult literacy and promoting active citizenship, we equip them with the tools to advocate for themselves and their communities."
In her keynote address, Prof. Anna Robinson-Pant, Ph.D. (UEA-Unesco chairman and University of Sussex research professor) discussed the assumptions relating to literacy empowerment and health, focusing on the gap between policies and practical experiences.
She concluded with a call to pilot a more democratic model of partnership between universities and communities, especially in decolonizing global health research and addressing public health challenges.
Plenary speakers included Prof. Eva Irene Maglonzo, M.D. (UST-FMS); Assoc. Prof. Bishnu Choulagai, MPH, Ph.D., and Assoc. Prof. Poojan Sharma Choulagai (Tribhuvan University).
The third plenum was by Prof. Surendra Giri, M.Ed, Ph.D. (Tribhuvan University).
The afternoon session started with a panel discussion with the UST Siglang Tomas Cluster, composed of Assoc. Prof. Marlon Mallillin III, MPH (Pharmacy), Assoc. Prof. Ma. Margarita Leticia Gellaco, M.D. (Medicine and Surgery), Asst. Prof. Jayson Punzal, RN (Nursing), and Diane Allison Lotho, OTRP (Rehabilitation Sciences), moderated by Assoc. Prof. Christian Rimando, PTRP, where they talked about the UST Community-based programs and how these coordinators make these programs work.
Galacst 3 ended with the hope that through the conversations and exchange of insights in the two-day conference, the participants and all stakeholders found renewed hope and inspiration to mobilize curricular and institutional changes and encourage more publications and collaborations.
Visit https://www.ust.edu.ph/administrative-offices/office-of-public-affairs/ for more information.