The International Differently-Abled, Indigenous, Marginalized Student Services (IDIMSS) launched a student hub, a space dedicated for marginalized students for peer support and academic assistance on Friday (February 28) at the Student Center in Lucinda Campus.
The student hub will serve as a venue where marginalized students may have an access for free printing, scanning, and photocopying services for academic related materials, as well as the free use of laptop for research purposes.
“This student hub is a testament to the power of collective action in ensuring that education remains a tool for empowerment, not exclusion,” IDIMSS unit head Mr. Allan S. Santos said in his speech.
In a separate interview, Mr. Santos shared that the student hub was funded through a concert for a cause organized by the Inclusive Ability Alliance Differently Abled Student Organization in August 2024.
“The student hub is an initiative of the students (under IDIMSS). Yung kinita nila sa concert-for-a-cause ay pinambili nila ng laptop, bondpapers, and printer dahil matagal na nila itong pangarap,” Ms. Santos added.
In addition to the concert proceeds, various sponsors provided monetary donations and contributed bond paper, monoblock chairs, and a water dispenser.
In his message, University President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco emphasized the hub’s role in fostering academic growth and collaboration among marginalized students.
“This hub offers a conducive environment where students can work on their educational tasks without limitations…It offers an invaluable service which ensures that no student is left behind due to financial limitations,” Pres. Velasco said.
“Napakalaking tulong po ng student hub na ito sa aming mga marginalized students. Dati po kasi marami pong nahihirapan sa amin pagdating sa pagpapaprint po kahit na free tuition po kami. Ginawa po namin itong inspirasyon para magkaroon ng student hub sa tulong po ng mga sponsors at ng TSU,” Next GEN-IP President Francis Mae I. Valdez told OPA.
“Asahan po ninyo na makakapagtapos po kami ng pag-aaral dahil dito,” Valdez further said.
Meanwhile, apart from the student hub, Mr. Santos shared that they are also planning to put up an IP garden at the back of the Student Center building, which will be planted with crops native to the tribes.
The student hub, located at the first floor of the Student Center, can cater to a maximum of five persons.
Marginalized students must possess a valid IDIMSS ID and a printing stub from the IDISMSS Student Hub.
To sustain the hub’s free services, students are encouraged to contribute plastic bottles which will be sold every month. The profit will help fund the maintenance of the hub’s free services.
The student hub will be open from Tuesday to Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm.
Joining the launching ceremony and ribbon cutting are Second District Board Member Danilo C. Asiaten; Ms. Lani Juanne Mae C. Puri and Mr. Fercival Yutan, SSS-GSIS Pensyonado Partylist spokespersons; Atty. Gabrielle Kenth Hayashi, former TSU student regent; Mr. Rustom Patawaran; and Dr. Ruben Borja, Bulacan State University chancellor.
Photo by: Eduardo Laxamana Jr.
