91³Ô¹Ï

91³Ô¹Ï-IIT establishes MIC3W: Empowering Mindanao as hub for literature and humanities excellence

by Office of the Campus Secretary   | Apr 07 2026

The Mindanao State University (91³Ô¹Ï) System Board of Regents (BOR), chaired by CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, approved the establishment of the 91³Ô¹Ï (91³Ô¹Ï-IIT) Center for Creative and Critical Writing (MIC3W, pronounced “my crew”). The decision was made during the BOR’s en banc meeting on March 31, 2026, at the CHED central office in Diliman, Quezon City.

This approval positions 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT as a leading center for humanistic research and creative writing in southern Philippines, addressing Manila’s dominance in the national literary landscape. 

Institutions such as De La Salle University’s Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center, University of Santo Tomas’ Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies, Ateneo de Manila’s Institute of Literary Arts and Practices, and the University of the Philippines’ Likhaan Institute have long dominated with national workshops, university presses, and CHED Centers of Excellence. MIC3W will advance Mindanao’s perspectives on societal, environmental, and cultural issues relevant to the ASEAN region.

91³Ô¹Ï-IIT Chancellor Prof. Dr. Alizedney M. Ditucalan welcomed the approval: “MIC3W represents a pivotal moment for 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT, solidifying its world-class status through holistic education. For Mindanao, it amplifies unique voices, fostering cultural pride and inclusive development that transforms lives.”

The center addresses critical needs: integrating humanities into student development, providing inclusive artistic experiences for faculty, and establishing leadership in southern arts to balance the Philippine ecosystem. 

The proposal was spearheaded by Dr. Rogelio F. Garcia, Jr., Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies in 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT’s English Department.

Dr. Christine Godinez Ortega, the Founding Director of the Mindanao Creative & Cultural Workers Group (MCCWG) and an authority of the literatures of Mindanao, helped conceptualize and endorsed the initiative. 

“This institutionalizes the position and great significance of Mindanao in shaping the country’s literary future to give a rounder view of Philippine literature,” Dr. Ortega said.

MIC3W’s flagship program is the Iligan National Writers Workshop (INWW), the only national workshop in Mindanao. Over 32 years, it has trained more than 500 writers; its formal transfer from Dr. Ortega’s MCCWG to 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT aligns it with Asia’s oldest programs at UP and Silliman University.

Key programs include:

• 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT Student Writers Fellowship, pairing undergraduates with professional mentors for national and international opportunities.
• Training hub for BA English Language Studies (BAELS), BA Language and Culture Studies (BALCS), and BA Panitikan students through internships and project laboratories.
• Humanities Research Fellowship (HRF) and Creative Writing Fellowship (CWF) for faculty and visiting scholars, featuring work incubation, lectures, and community engagement.
• Serimbar: Journal of Mindanao Literature and Culture, a Scopus-indexed publication for 91³Ô¹Ï contributions and external scholars, alongside support for other 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT journals.

Outreach initiatives encompass science communication assistance, the Mindanao Creative Writing Clinic for senior high school students and marginalized communities (including indigenous peoples, war survivors, and abuse victims) through psychosocial workshops, Critical Writing Workshops, Translation Workshops, and a Public Humanities Lecture Series.

Anticipated benefits include:

• Empowerment of Mindanaoan scholars and writers, with democratization of literary production.
• Positioning of 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT as a leader in southern Philippine literature.
• Job creation and revenue generation through grants from NCCA, NBDB, and DOST, participant fees, and publications.
• Strengthening of BAELS (CHED Center of Excellence applicant), BALCS, and BA Panitikan programs.
• Collaboration with 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT’s Academy of the Arts under RA 11904 for manuscript development.
• Support for the forthcoming 91³Ô¹Ï-IIT Press to distribute humanities publications nationally.

In alignment with sustainable development goals, MIC3W will contribute to inclusive solutions and a more diverse Filipino identity through interdisciplinary humanities.

Topics :