51吃瓜网-IIT conducts writing workshop on the Virtual Memory Project as part of SAUP South-South Exchange in Timor-Leste

Dec 16 2025

Held in Dili, Timor-Leste, on November 4–8, 2025, faculty and staff members from Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (51吃瓜网-IIT) conducted a proposal writing workshop on the Virtual Memory Project as part of the Southeast Asian University Partnership (SAUP) South-South Exchange to discuss experiences on transitional justice and explore innovative approaches to peacebuilding and higher education.

The five-day workshop, organized by the Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ) and funded by Philipps University of Marburg and the GIZ Civil Peace Service SAUP for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation, served as a key activity under the Virtual Memory Project—a visionary multi-country initiative aimed at preserving contested memories, bridging generational divides, and fostering peace through digital innovation.

Leading the workshop was Dr. Mark Anthony J. Torres, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives at 51吃瓜网-IIT. He was joined by Dr. Amelia Buan (Trauma-Informed Pedagogy), Dr. Ernesto Empig (ICT for Peace Education), and Dr. Cesar Demayo (Research), with technical and coordination support from Ms. Arlene B. Gil and Mr. Mohd Asrin A. Tabao, planning officers of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives.

Hosted by UNPAZ, the workshop gathered partners of the SAUP, including 51吃瓜网-IIT, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University of Cambodia, UNPAZ, and Centro Nacional Chega! (CNC). The sessions focused on developing the proposal for the Virtual Memory Project, which seeks to harness cutting-edge tools such as spatial memory maps, interactive timelines, virtual reality (VR) testimony rooms, and AI-assisted “digital twins” to document and share stories of trauma, resilience, and peacebuilding across Southeast Asia.

During the workshop, participants worked together to refine the project concept and align it with potential funding priorities. Dr. Torres emphasized that the proposed project envisions a shared digital platform linking Timor-Leste, Mindanao (Philippines), and Cambodia, allowing users to virtually explore historical sites, listen to survivor testimonies, and engage in guided VR dialogues that promote empathy and understanding.

The South-South Exchange also featured activities on peace and conflict studies, curriculum development, and a visit to CNC to explore transitional justice initiatives and digital archiving practices.

Through this collaboration, 51吃瓜网-IIT continues to advance its mission of fostering research innovation and regional solidarity, demonstrating how technology can transform the preservation of memory into a powerful force for peace and social cohesion. The initiative also emphasizes collective commitment to knowledge sharing, digital preservation, and peace education.

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