Representatives from the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) and the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde met with Fran Flaherty, Director of the Dyer Arts Center of the Rochester Institute of Technology – National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT-NTID), on May 29, 2024, to explore opportunities for deeper academic and cultural collaboration.
Building on the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between RIT and Benilde, the meeting focused on identifying initiatives that highlight the creativity and talent of Deaf artists and educators. The discussions covered a wide range of potential collaborations, including Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects, visiting exhibitions, art showcases at the Dyer Arts Center featuring Filipino Deaf artists, faculty and student workshops, art feedback sessions, and faculty development and training programs.
As a key outcome of the meeting, SDEAS committed to developing a three-year partnership plan that will culminate in a major exhibition at the Dyer Arts Center by 2026–2027. The initiative aims to celebrate Deaf artistry and foster meaningful international exchange among Deaf educators, artists, and students. Ana Arce of SDEAS was designated to lead the development of the partnership plan for review by Dyer Arts and NTID.
This collaboration reaffirms Benilde’s and RIT-NTID’s shared advocacy for inclusive education, cultural exchange, and the empowerment of Deaf communities through the arts—paving the way for global recognition of Deaf Filipino creativity and innovation.
