The United Kingdom, through its Indo-Pacific Governance Fund and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is supporting a new academic collaboration aimed at advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Southeast Asia.

The initiative brings together Mindanao State University (MSU) – Maguindanao and three Indonesian universities — Gadjah Mada University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, and Ahmad Dahlan University — to foster regional dialogue and shared strategies on gender and peacebuilding.

A Philippine delegation composed of representatives from MSU - Maguindanao, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity’s Centre for Excellence on WPS, the Philippine Centre for Islam and Democracy (PCID), the Bangsamoro Women Commission, the Ministry of Public Order and Safety, and the Development Academy of the Bangsamoro participated in a four-day international learning exchange held in Yogyakarta.

“These learning exchanges spark the curiosity that drives meaningful research and action – exactly what we need to not only mainstream the WPS agenda, but to truly transform the challenging situations facing our women, communities, and families,” said MSU – Maguindanao Chancellor Dr. Bai Hejira Nefertiti M. Limbona.

The program included panel discussions and immersive activities, culminating in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between MSU – Maguindanao and its Indonesian counterparts to enhance cooperation on gender-focused education, research, and community engagement.

“The purpose of this MOU is to establish a partnership between our universities – based on the principles of mutual equality and reciprocal benefit. We have many similarities in our diversity and there are several areas we can work on together,” said Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro of Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The collaboration builds on the success of MSU – Maguindanao’s Diploma Course on WPS, the first of its kind in Asia, launched in 2024 with support from the British Embassy Manila, UNDP, and PCID.

Nazra Abdi of the British Embassy Manila highlighted the UK’s continued commitment to gender-responsive peacebuilding in the region. “The UK recognises the profound impact of women in peacebuilding, and this initiative underscores our ongoing support to institutionalising WPS across governance, civil society and education in Southeast Asia,” she said.

The initiative comes ahead of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairpersonship in 2026, emphasizing the UK's sustained support for regional peace and gender equality.