On behalf of the community of Saint Mary’s University, I express my warm welcome and greetings to the presenters and participants of the Third International Conference on Cultural Studies, which will be held for the first time as a blended (hybrid) conference.  We are delighted to host the Third International Conference on Cultural Studies in partnership with the Central Institute of Business Management and Research, India, Bulacan State University, National Indigenous Coalition on Higher Education, and Pamulaan Center for Indigenous People’s Education.

This year’s conference features topics on cultural changes and evolution, teaching and learning, global social politics, public service and community engagement, organizational changes, and environmental conservation during and after the era of COVID-19 pandemic. 

The conference theme, “Nature and Culture in a Changing World:  COVID-19 Aftermath and Glocal Responses,” is timely considering the extensive convergence of the virtual and the physical learning spaces in the world today. Despite the abrupt changes brought by the global health crisis, institutions worldwide across sectors adopted various ways or approaches that responded to the situation. Today, we are eager to extend and emphasize the advantages of physical and virtual learning spaces in presenting and discussing research works that highlight the COVID-19 aftermath and global responses. 

We thank our partners, keynote speakers, participants, and organizers for making this conference possible.  For our attendees visiting the Philippines and our university for the first time, I hope you will enjoy your stay in our campus and province, even for just one or two days.  I suppose the cultural and socialization night and the visit to cultural sites in Tabuk City over the next two days will more than justify your participation.

I hope this year’s international conference will be an enjoyable and meaningful learning experience for everyone!