The Department of Communication and Media Studies (DCMS) of the College of Arts and Sciences, Isabela State University Echague Campus conducts various activities in support of the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to preserve the environment, protect biodiversity, mitigate climate change, eradicate poverty, promote social inclusivity, and foster long-term economic growth.

Knowledge transfer and support

The DCMS recognizes the value of transferring knowledge and skills and extending expertise to support its immediate community. As such, it served as the official media partner of the Municipality of Echague during the Mengal Festival in October 2023. As communication experts, the faculty together with the students documented the event and its pocket activities, published media articles, served as hosts, and at the same time managed the page of the municipality to ensure widest reach of audience regarding the event. The activity is in support of SDGs 4, 8, 10, 11, and 17.

Additionally, the DCMS faculty and students also consistently support different agencies and institutions in their communication endeavors. One particular example was when the Department conducted a series of trainings on radio broadcasting for the ISU University Library personnel and for the students of St. Dominic Human Development Center, Inc. The training served as an avenue for the DCMS faculty and students to transfer their knowledge to the community specifically on radio broadcasting which may help motivate future media practitioners. The activities promoted SDGs 3, 4, and 15.

Dynamic and holistic learning

In the effort to incorporate the SDGs in instruction and ensure holistic learning of students, the faculty also design instructional activities which will enhance the knowledge and train the skills of the students in producing SDG-focused communication materials and in becoming themselves vehicles of sustainable development. Success of this endeavor is manifested in students’ outputs such as advocacy campaigns on environmental protection, gender equality, and quality education; developmental publication materials; and news articles and radio broadcasts.

In support of Proclamation No. 308 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with regard to the “Communication Month Celebration 2023”, the Department in partnership with the Mass Communication Society hosted a Post-Communication Month Celebration in November 2023 with the theme, “CommUNITY: Nagkakaisang Tinig Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas,”. The celebration included a seminar-workshop on academic writing and speech for broadcast which aims to prepare them to be better and responsible communicators. On the other hand, students who showed exemplary performance in academic and non-academic activities were also given recognition.  Interactive activities were also included to establish and maintain stronger relationship among faculty and students that can positively impact their academic and personal lives. (SDG 3, 4, and 8)

Furthermore, the Department also took part in the nationwide celebration of the Arts Month by conducting a pre-arts month celebration through the Communication Arts Festival on January 26, 2024. This event did not only showcase the talents and skills of the students in creating arts but most especially it taught everyone to better appreciate the significance of arts in the society that reflects the history and culture of every nation. (SDG 4, 5 and 10)

Lastly, the DCMS faculty also immerse themselves in their own communities and personal endeavors. They participate in tree planting activities and Reserve Army trainings, and undertake other speaking engagements that requires their own expertise. (SDG 13, 15, 16, 17)

#SDG3 #SDG4 #SDG8 #SDG10 #SDG11 #SDG13 #SDG15 #SDG16 #SDG17