THE IFUGAO State University launched a cultural learning center to conserve the indigenous culture of the province.

Its Indigenous Peoples Resource Conservation and Community Learning Center aims to “recognize the importance of Indigenous Knowledge, Systems and Practices in heritage conservation and living in harmony with nature.”

The center is an all-in-one museum, training school on indigenous knowledge skills courses, eco-tourism trail, and a research center on culture.

“The museum will be ethnographic in nature showcasing Ifugao culture. It will be a hub for local artists to display their works. It is also intended to cater to students, community members and tourists,” the university said.

The center will also display the municipality’s rich tradition in wood carving, handicrafts, metal works, musical instruments, agricultural implements, rituals, photographs, textiles, oral literatures, researches and other publications.

“Another component of the Center is the offering of indigenous skills on stone walling, stone tiling, native house construction, weaving, wood carving, and rattan weaving. The training courses shall be offered per semester during weekends with Indigenous Knowledge holders and experts as resources speakers,” ISU.

The university is hopeful that the center will help build strong partnership with other communities in promoting heritage conservation.

The center is located at the university’s Hapao Campus.