by Don Antonio Velez,The Department of Sociology & Anthropology
The 2024 Xavier Ateneo Sociology Student Research Summit was hosted on 30 September 2024 at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan. The summit was a pivotal event that examined the intricate interplay of colonization, religion, education, and urbanization on Islam in 21st-century Mindanao. Organized by the Department of Sociology & Anthropology, the summit brought together students, faculty, and guests from diverse institutions to delve into the region's complex social fabric. With the theme "Social Tapestry of Mindanao," the summit featured six (6) undergraduate student research papers and one (1) doctorate level paper. The conference underscored the significance of physical and social space in nation-building and sustainable development, examining its reciprocal implications with education, social media, gender, and relationships.
Distinguished guests from the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos, the Muslim Youth Council, and faculty and students from the AB Sociology program of the Tagoloan Community College led by TCC Sociology program head, Ms Catherine Q Sabaysabay participated in the event. A panel of reactors, including the Director of the Research Institute for Mindanao Culture (RIMCU) Dr Chona Patricia Rebosura Echavez, Mr Perry Henry Rockwell of the Xavier Ateneo Sociology & Anthropology Department, and Interfaith and Inter-religious Dialogue Advocate Ms Monalisa Dahan Pangan, provided valuable insights. Atty Alamiah Pangandaman JD of the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos Regional Office 10 expressed her appreciation for the academic efforts undertaken by budding Xavier Ateneo Sociologists, highlighting their potential to contribute significantly to social and societal impactful change. She emphasized the importance of such initiatives in fostering sensitivity, inclusivity, and respect for Muslim Filipinos.
The summit showcased the strong theoretical and methodological foundation of the Xavier Ateneo Sociology program and its commitment to producing socially conscious and skilled sociologists. The event marked a significant milestone in the academic training of students, embodying the distinctive Filipino, Catholic, and Jesuit approach to academic training in Sociology.