Dr. Marianne Agnes T. Mendoza, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services (RIES), and Mr. Joedel Penaranda, Director of Institutional Planning and Strategic Innovation & Knowledge Laboratories, represented Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) at the highly esteemed Futures Conference 2023, held in Turku, Finland from June 14-16.

In the conference, they showcased their futures research report titled “Hiraya Manawari: Exploring the Preparedness of Philippine Higher Education Institutions on Futures Research.” This study aims to analyze the state of futures research in Philippine Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by considering factors such as resource availability, knowledge levels, and interest among students and faculty. It also pinpoints gaps in readiness for futures research within Philippine HEIs and proposes solutions to promote futures research integration.

Mendoza and Penaranda participated in an interview conducted by the Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC) about their research report. The interview will be featured in Futuuri, the official FFRC publication. The FFRC is one of the few university departments devoted to futures research in the world. Jointly founded by three universities in Turku in 1992, the FFRC is a department within the Turku School of Economics at the University of Turku, Finland.

BiPSU representatives also held exploratory meetings with Minna Koskelo, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Futures Finland. These discussions revolved around potential future-thinking activities and faculty exchanges. Futures Finland is a platform and network for professionals in future thinking and those who want to become such. It brings together forecasting professionals and up-to-date information on forecasting and develops future thinking and its recognition together. Both parties agreed to conduct further meetings to come up with agreements regarding futures-thinking activities, and faculty exchanges, among others.

Additionally, collaboration was explored with Juha Kaskinen Johtaja, VTT Director, Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC) focusing on visiting exchanges involving faculty and staff from both institutions.

Mr. Penaranda also disclosed that Professor Ted Fuller, UNESCO Chair on Responsible Foresight for Sustainable Development interviewed them after their presentation. Prof. Fuller inquired about Hiraya Manawari framework discussed and cited in their study. “It was an exhilarating experience especially that such a person of high stature in the world’s futures landscape particularly looked for us in the conference to talk about our paper,” Penaranda shared.

To maximize their travel to Finland, they also conducted collaborative meetings and study visit is Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland’s largest university of applied sciences. The university organized a formal presentation of its best practices through a meeting with its Directors for Research, Development, and Innovation, and Strategy Management. The host institution also generously toured the BiPSU university officials around their state-of-the-art SMART campus.

Participation in this international event aligns with BiPSU's strategic direction and supports the Capacity Development on Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight program initiated by Senator Pia Cayetano, Chairperson of the Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures-Thinking.