Panpacific University in Urdaneta Pangasinan hosted last June 16 to June 18 the 17th International NAKEM Conference. The theme of the conference was “Mythologies of the Nation: Mother Language, Native Culture, and Education in freedom.”
NAKEM stands for National Alliance for Knowledge Empowerment and Meaning. The conference is a yearly gathering of Ilokano scholars promoting understanding and appreciation of the Ilokano culture.
The keynote speakers were Dr. Alma M. Ouanesisouk Trinidad of Portland State University, Portland, Oregon; Dr. Danilo Alterado of Saint Louis University in Baguio City, and Dr. Maria Mercedes Estigoy Arzadon of the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
It was attended by different personalities and scholars all over the world including Dr. Aurelio Agcaoili of University of Hawaii Manoa, Dr. Alvin Gaerlan of Mission College in California, and Dr. Alma Trinidad-Portland State University, Portland USA.
The conference started with an opening ceremony and cultural presentation. The second and third days were dedicated to the presentation of research papers. Those who stayed behind for the fourth day went on a tour of Pangasinan.
