A PROFESSOR from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology was named Student Volunteer of the Year for postgraduate majors at The Australian National University.

Dr. Primitivo III “Prime” Cabanes Ragandang is currently completing his Doctorate in International, Political and Strategic Studies at the College of Asia Pacific Affairs of ANU in Canberra, Australia.

The selection committee cited Ragandang’s work with youth-led initiatives advocating for the prevention of violence and bullying in founding the BHOLI Youth Centre in Mindanao, and his engagements, research and community work with students, youth and peace studies.

Ragandang established the BHOLI Youth Centre in Mindanao in 2018, and received funding and recognition from Facebook for a project on addressing violent extremism through online positive messaging.

The center was acknowledged by the Department of Education and Western Union Chain for Better Programs.

“Prime instils his advocacy of peacekeeping and learning in his home region of Mindanao, Philippines. Through his research in storytelling, games and other creative expressions and the establishment of the BHOLI Youth Centre, Prime is cultivating connection and hope in the future generation,” ANU said.

“More than achieving excellence and recognition, Prime believes in using our unique skills and talents for others. As scholars … we have this responsibility of helping address the community issues and community challenges that we see in our backyard,” it added.

MSU said that Ragandang’s volunteerism, leadership and desire to create better pathways for his local community in Mindanao “has driven his many significant initiatives, co-founding an internationally-recognized youth-led initiative for bullying prevention through games and creative expression, and writing books that have been widely awarded for their impact on young learners.”

Ragandang completed his co-edited book on youth, peace building and sustainability, published through the Young Southeast Asia Leaders Program of the UN Mission to ASEAN in 2022.