In Filipino, pamantasan (root word, pantas - expert , wise person) means institute for higher learning. Thus, as its name suggests, higher education has been the central interest of the Pamantasan Council since its establishment in 1987. Comprised of Filipino/a administrators, faculty, and staff from across the ten campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi System, Pamantasan advocates for
the representation of Filipino-American and Philippine representation in university curricula as well as to support
and to recognize achievements in higher education among Filipina/os.
30 years after Pamantasan was formed, its work continues to be important. Today, Filipina/os comprise just under a quarter of all student enrollment in Hawaiʻi’s public schools. This makes them the second largest ethnic group in the DOE, behind only Native Hawaiians. Still, they continue to represent only 13 percent of all students in the University of Hawaiʻi System. With most Filipino/a students enrolling in UH’s community colleges, they remain underrepresented in UH’s four-year institutions. At UH Mānoa, for example, only 10 percent of all students identify as Filipina/o. Moreover, only 7 percent of all Hawaiʻi DOE teachers and 4 percent of faculty in the UH System are of Filipina/o ancestry.
the representation of Filipino-American and Philippine representation in university curricula as well as to support
and to recognize achievements in higher education among Filipina/os.
30 years after Pamantasan was formed, its work continues to be important. Today, Filipina/os comprise just under a quarter of all student enrollment in Hawaiʻi’s public schools. This makes them the second largest ethnic group in the DOE, behind only Native Hawaiians. Still, they continue to represent only 13 percent of all students in the University of Hawaiʻi System. With most Filipino/a students enrolling in UH’s community colleges, they remain underrepresented in UH’s four-year institutions. At UH Mānoa, for example, only 10 percent of all students identify as Filipina/o. Moreover, only 7 percent of all Hawaiʻi DOE teachers and 4 percent of faculty in the UH System are of Filipina/o ancestry.
To provide a system- and community-wide forum to discuss issues around Filipino/as and higher education, Pamantasan holds an annual conference, which moves to different campuses throughout the UH System from year to year. This yearʻs conference will be held on October 5 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with support from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity, College of Education, Tinalak Education Council and local Filipino youth organization, Sariling Gawa.
In honor of our beloved, late Dr. Ernest “Niki” Libarios, Jr., the theme of this year’s conference will be #BeKindToAStudent. Niki was a champion for the Filipino/a community in education in many ways. Through his research, he examined the impact of academic and social backgrounds on the college completion of Filipina/o students and advocated for increased support of Filipina/o students transferring from two-year to four-year colleges. He recognized the importance of positive educational experiences among students. As the Director of the Office of Student Academic Services and a co-founder of the Tinalak Education Council at the UH Mānoa College of Education, Niki made every effort, especially among Filipino/a and other communities underrepresented in higher education, to promote education and the teaching profession. Every day, he lived by the personal mantra to #BeKindToAStudent.
College students, high school students, educators, and other interested community members are invited to attend the conference at the UH Mānoa Campus Center on October 5. Registration will cost $15 for students, $25 for UH System faculty and staff, and $40 for all others. The costs of registration will include admission to all conference sessions, lunch, and a commemorative t-shirt. Our registration system will be up soon. Please check back to this website or contact us at [email protected].
In honor of our beloved, late Dr. Ernest “Niki” Libarios, Jr., the theme of this year’s conference will be #BeKindToAStudent. Niki was a champion for the Filipino/a community in education in many ways. Through his research, he examined the impact of academic and social backgrounds on the college completion of Filipina/o students and advocated for increased support of Filipina/o students transferring from two-year to four-year colleges. He recognized the importance of positive educational experiences among students. As the Director of the Office of Student Academic Services and a co-founder of the Tinalak Education Council at the UH Mānoa College of Education, Niki made every effort, especially among Filipino/a and other communities underrepresented in higher education, to promote education and the teaching profession. Every day, he lived by the personal mantra to #BeKindToAStudent.
College students, high school students, educators, and other interested community members are invited to attend the conference at the UH Mānoa Campus Center on October 5. Registration will cost $15 for students, $25 for UH System faculty and staff, and $40 for all others. The costs of registration will include admission to all conference sessions, lunch, and a commemorative t-shirt. Our registration system will be up soon. Please check back to this website or contact us at [email protected].
If you are interested in being a presenter, please consider submitting a proposal. In keeping with the conference theme, we are especially interested in presentations that inspire our Filipina/o students and speak to their needs and interests. While all presentations should somehow relate to higher education, they may also be on a range of topics, including Filipino/a or Filipino/a-American history, culture, language, arts, civic engagement, activism, well-being, and beyond.
Rock the School Bells is a one day conference aimed to empowered and educate students about the importance of higher education and career exploration through a culture that resonates with them. It will serve as an effective bridge to colleges as students embark on their educational journey.
Learn more about the upcoming "We Are" Rock the School Bells HI 2018 event
Learn more about the upcoming "We Are" Rock the School Bells HI 2018 event
In partnership with the Pamantasan Conference, Tinalak, the Filipino Education Advisory Council of the UHM College of Education, invites you to its 3rd Annual Tinalak Filipino American Book and Resource Fair on Friday, October 5, 2018 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM pm at the UHM Campus Courtyard.
To honor Filipino American History Month in October, Tinalak will showcase the rich diversity of Filipino curriculum and books. Books and curriculum in English and Philippine languages will be available to order. The Fair will also feature college academic resources and services for students. Don't miss out on this enriching event!
To honor Filipino American History Month in October, Tinalak will showcase the rich diversity of Filipino curriculum and books. Books and curriculum in English and Philippine languages will be available to order. The Fair will also feature college academic resources and services for students. Don't miss out on this enriching event!