Batanes State College (BSC), through its Research and Development, Extension and Training (RDET) Office, successfully conducted the Phase 3 Capacity Building program on University Research Futures Thinking and Foresight. The workshop took place on March 6-8, 2024 at Boulder Bay Residences in San Joaquin, Basco, Batanes.
The capacity-building activities included research workshops, presentations, and interactive sessions, spearheaded by Aptissimi Development Innovations, Inc. (ADII). Ms. Ma. Christine F. Reyes, Mr. Darwin Flores, Mr. Joel Abelinde, Mr. Reginald Rex Barrer, Ms. Allerin Isles, and Mr. Eric Aseo served as coaches.
In his opening remarks, College President Dr. Djovi Regala Durante highlighted the program’s potential to not only produce scholarly outputs but also inspire personal, institutional, and societal transformation. He encouraged active participation, knowledge sharing, and engagement with the speakers. Dr. Durante expressed hope that this initiative would mark the beginning of a valuable collaboration with the community and thanked Aptissimi Development Innovation, Inc. for their guidance and mentorship.
Meanwhile, Mr. Emmanuel R. De Guia, Director for Strategic Partnership and Networking of PhilFutures and Resident Futurist of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Goals, Innovations, and Futures Thinking, joined virtually. He emphasized the importance of BSC submitting quarterly accomplishment reports to the Senate office to ensure transparency in funding allocation.
De Guia also conveyed his expectations for BSC to utilize resources wisely and connect with the community they serve through their projects. He emphasized the College’s unique position as the northernmost institution in the Philippines and challenged them to leverage futures thinking and foresight strategies to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He stressed Senator Pia Cayetano’s hope for BSC to play a significant role in uplifting the lives of Filipinos.
The program aimed to enhance the research skills and knowledge of BSC faculty, and administrators, and the College President in the field of futures thinking and foresight. Participants were divided into groups, each focusing on a specific commodity relevant to Batanes:
* Cultural Heritage
* Climate-Smart Agriculture
* Sustainable Tourism
* Renewable Energy
* Instruction and Faculty Development
By refining their research skills and focusing on these commodities, participants will be equipped to identify opportunities and challenges, ultimately creating tangible outcomes that benefit the local community and contribute to national progress.
On the third day, participants received certificates awarded with creative titles reflecting futuristic concepts:
* Aurora Borealis – Instruction and Faculty Development
* Nebulae – Sustainable Tourism
* Supernova – Renewable Energy
* Alpha Centauri – Cultural Heritage
* Promising Innovation Award (PIA) Awardee – Organic Farming/Climate Smart Agriculture
The College, through its President Dr. Djovi Regala Durante, expressed its sincere gratitude for Senator Pia Cayetano’s unwavering support for this crucial initiative.
