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COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal attended as the keynote speaker the 5th Commencement Exercises of the Graduate School of Cotabato State University (CotSU) on June 28, carrying the theme “CSU Lights: Excellence Beyond Borders — Transforming the Future through Lifelong Learning.”
The ceremony honored the dedication and academic accomplishments of the graduates as they embark on new paths of leadership and public service.
In his address, Minister Iqbal, head of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), reminded the graduates that as they stand at the threshold of a new chapter in their lives, their learning must now be transformed into meaningful contribution.
“You are now among the most capable and prepared to make a difference — not only because you have studied, but because you have learned with intention and purpose,” he emphasized.
He further challenged them to use their influence in building systems that uphold transparency, accountability, and moral governance.
“You now embody the kind of leadership our communities urgently need — leadership defined not only by knowledge, but by integrity and compassion. This is the essence of excellence beyond borders: not how far you can go for yourself, but how far you can reach for others.”
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages — now eight new municipalities — that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur.
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𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐇𝐀𝐆𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐌. 𝐈𝐐𝐁𝐀𝐋 for 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬
𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺
Assalamu’alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu.
Before I proceed with my speech, allow me to thanks President Sema Dilna, and CSU community, for always inviting me as your commencement speaker.
This day is a celebration of not only of your academic success, but of your collective journey, one marked of your faith, hard work, determination, and commitment to excellence. This milestone is not just a personal victory—it is a gift to your families, your communities, and the Bangsamoro.
Your theme, “CSU Lights: Excellence Beyond Borders – Transforming the Future through Lifelong Learning,” holds profound meaning, particularly for us in the Bangsamoro. It reminds us that education is not a destination, but a lifelong journey. It is not limited by classrooms or degrees. True learning knows no borders—not of geography, not of discipline, and certainly not of self-interest.
In a time of rapid change and complexity, where today’s solutions may not address tomorrow’s challenges, the only way forward is to embrace lifelong learning. But what gives lifelong learning its nobility is when it is rooted in purpose—and that purpose must be service and for morally lofty objectives.
In the Bangsamoro, we do not pursue education for prestige alone. We seek knowledge to strengthen our faith, uplift our people, uphold justice, and promote the values of moral governance. Education, in our context, must be liberating, inclusive, and transformative.
Allow me to share a little story of mine. After I graduated from college, I came back to our beloved province. At that time, there was chaos everywhere. There was firefighting in all corners of our community. Children cannot go to schools, parents cannot till their lands for fear of caught in cross-fire or worst being apprehended for a crime he or she doesn’t commit or even aware of.
At an early age, with no valuable experience in life, together with other patriotic young blood, we decided to join the revolution. We take part in changing what was then the status quo, the oppression, land grabbings, and all forms of atrocities. If I remember it right, an uncle of mine once told me, not to join the revolution because my life will be in misery and he said: “sayang lang ang pinag-aralan mo at kakalawangin lang ang utak mo.” I listened to him but did the other way.
Now I can say, I was right and he was wrong. The life and the future of the Bangsamoro is worth dying for.
If we did not join the revolution, then maybe we will not be as free as today; maybe there will be no graduates as today; and there will be no development as today.
And you know what is the best tool that made me reach this far? Education… quality education.
I said earlier that joining the revolution as a novice, I lack the experience in life, what I only possessed at that time is the burning passion to free our people from oppression and the quality of learning I acquired from the universities. If I did not acquire my two degrees, the MILF would have somebody else as its chief negotiator –—– and we did not have signed the FAB and CAB and secured the BOL and BARMM, as consequences.
It is at this point, I applaud Cotabato State University (CSU) – your school officials, personnel, and professors – for supporting the graduates as they complete their studies. Your commitment and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. You are the backbone of our education system. You inspire minds, nurture hearts, and shape the future of the Bangsamoro. Thank you for standing by our learners and helping them realize their potential. There is nothing more noble than shaping and nurturing the future generation. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing your former students becoming leaders, professionals, successful in their chosen fields, and exemplar of good behavior. This what makes the teaching profession, a noble profession.
Thank you also for upholding the principles of moral governance in your work. Your leadership ensures that our schools remain places of integrity, accountability, and excellence—where no Bangsamoro learner is left behind.
Education is central to our journey toward a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro. It goes beyond academic success; it focuses on cultivating righteous, informed, and empowered individuals who will contribute to the development of our communities and realize our aspirations as a nation.
The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) remains steadfast in ensuring that no Bangsamoro learner is left behind. We are committed to nurturing an education system that reflects the values of ilm (knowledge), adab (good character), and ihsan (excellence).
To the parents, guardians, and families—this day belongs to you, too. Many of you rose before dawn, worked long hours, prayed through uncertainties, and sacrificed with love. You believed when your children doubted. You endured when they were weary. You hoped when the path was unclear.
To our beloved graduates:
You have persevered through the many uncertainties of our time—social, political, and even personal. Your achievement is a testament to your strength, discipline, and dedication to growth.
You have mastered complex ideas, conducted meaningful research, balanced personal and professional responsibilities, and reached the highest levels of academic pursuit. These are great accomplishments. But as you stand at the threshold of a new chapter, remember this: your learning must now become contribution.
You are now among the most prepared to make a difference—not only because you have studied, but because you have learned with intention.
Let your research inform policy that addresses the pressing needs of our region.
Let your leadership become a voice for equity, inclusion, and peace.
Let your influence create systems that are transparent, accountable, and guided by ethical principles.
You now represent the kind of leadership that our communities so urgently need—leadership marked not just by knowledge, but by character. This is the essence of excellence beyond borders: not how far you can go for yourself, but how far you can reach for others.
As a final world, I want you to remember the words of Plato, one of the greatest Greek Philospherof all time, when he said:
“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”
As young professionals, kayo ay dapat ma pagmasid, maki bahagi sa mga gawaing makakabutisa sarili ninyo at sa pamayanan. Matuto kayongiyong ipa tupad ang inyong mga Karapatan kagayang pag halal ng maayos na pinuno sa inyong mgapamayanan. Huwag po ninyong hayaan na ang inyong mga Karapatan ay ibalewala lang. Huwagnating hayaan na dahil sa pag wawalang kibo ay darating ang oras na tayo ang pamumunuan ng hindikarapat dapat.
Again, thank you to officials and faculty of Cotabato State University, for giving me this opportunity to address our graduates. I hope you will find my words of wisdom helpful to you as you conquer the world.
My warmest congratulations to all graduates, their families, and professors. I congratulate you on your achievements so far but remember to approach the next chapter of your lives with patience, enthusiasm, humility, respect, and integrity.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
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