With leadership, peacebuilding, and sustainable development at its heart, the Federation of Mindanao State University Supreme Student Councils (FEMSUSSCO), in partnership with student leaders from across the MSU System, officially opened the third and final phase of Project STEP (Student Transformation for Empowerment and Progress) at the MSU–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU–IIT).

Hosted by KASAMA, in collaboration with the Office of the Chancellor (OC), Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA), and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives (OVCSI), the event focused on inclusive dialogue, collaborative leadership, fostering mutual respect and understanding among student leaders across diverse MSU campuses.

Anchored on BOR Resolution No. 16, series of 2025, the two-day program, facilitated by Dr. Mark Anthony Torres, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, provided a platform to address campus concerns, explore sustainable solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and draft a six-year development plan for the MSU–Student Sustainable Action (MSU-SSA).

Day 1 was graced by University Chancellor Dr. Alizedney M. Ditucalan, who delivered a powerful keynote message emphasizing that student leaders are not merely leaders of tomorrow, but partners of today in building sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful communities.

He reminded participants that the SDGs are realized not in distant boardrooms, but in classrooms, campuses, and communities—through local action that creates real impact. Chancellor Ditucalan highlighted that each student leader embodies the SDGs in motion: promoting quality education, good health, responsible consumption, peace, and strong institutions through concrete, campus-based initiatives.

The Chancellor urged the leaders to:

Think Hyper-Local – identify ways to make each campus a model of sustainability and inclusion;

Collaborate Radically – bridge divides and strengthen partnerships across disciplines and campuses;

Lead by Example – practice integrity, empathy, and respect in daily leadership.

He concluded with a message of empowerment: “Your voices, your choices, and your actions are the true currency of progress. You hold the leaders of today accountable, and you are building the world of tomorrow."

This was followed by a heartfelt reflection from the Student Regent and Project STEP Head, who looked back on Project STEP’s journey from vision to living reality. He reminded participants that leadership is not measured by position or recognition, but by the lives we touch and the footprints we leave behind.

Drawing from the late MSU President’s enduring word, “Kamusta,” he described Project STEP as a form of collective care — “Kamusta ang Student ng MSU” a reminder that every scholar of the nation is seen, heard, and valued. He emphasized that Project STEP is not merely a project but a continuing promise of peace, justice, dignity, and hope, carrying forward the MSU tradition of unity and compassionate leadership.

The morning session continued with an interactive workshop facilitated by Prof. Mark Anthony Torres, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives. He opened the activity with a reflective game that helped leaders recognize the importance of teamwork in building a unified community. Prof. Torres then discussed the Impact Pathway of Project STEP, emphasizing how each campus can contribute to the shared cause by harnessing their unique strengths and resources. In the afternoon, participants took part in a building blocks activity, representing the most pressing issues within their campuses through symbolic structures. Each block embodied a challenge that the leaders sought to address collectively through collaboration and innovative solutions. Day 1 concluded with reflections on leadership, inclusion, and sustainable campus governance.

Day 1 reaffirmed that genuine leadership grows from listening, collaboration, and service and that peace and progress begin with understanding.

The second day of Project STEP Phase III opened with a recap of the previous day’s learnings, setting the stage for a day of strategic planning and collaboration. Prof. Mark Anthony Torres led a session on designing a six-year development plan matrix to strengthen student leadership and promote system-wide cooperation across MSU campuses.

Guided by this framework, student leaders formulated their respective six-year development plans, aligning their initiatives with the MSU System’s long-term vision for inclusive and sustainable progress. The program concluded with the discussion of the draft MSU–SSA Six-Year Development Plan and a campus tour of MSU–IIT, which deepened camaraderie, mutual understanding, and shared purpose among participants.

Together, MSU student leaders reaffirmed their dedication to transformative, equitable, and peace-driven leadership across the system.