Expanding its global reach in futures and foresight thinking initiatives, Biliran Province State University has officially entered into a partnership agreement with the Asia-Pacific Futures Network (APFN).

The university formalized this collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with APFN, a prominent global community of futures practitioners and learners dedicated to revolutionizing foresight practices. The ceremonial signing took place on September 4, during the 10th APFN Conference held at Chulalongkorn University’s Sasin School of Management in Bangkok, Thailand.

This partnership is designed to promote joint research activities, collaborate on foresight-driven government projects, develop localized Futures Studies programs in native languages, and integrate Asian philosophies, cultures, and experiences into Futures Studies and practices.

BiPSU was represented by Mr. Joedel Peñaranda, Director of the Strategic Innovation and Knowledge Laboratory (SIKLAB) and Executive Assistant to the President, Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr.; while Pathfinder and Director of Strategy, Performance, and Learning at the SPC Pacific Community, Dr. Emily Sharp, represented APFN.

Witnesses of the ceremonial signing included Dr. Jost Wagner, APFN Chief Navigator and Director of The Change Initiative; Dr. Pearl Irish de Paz, BiPSU’s Research & Development Director; and other futures and foresight practitioners and learners from various countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Moreover, BiPSU is the only institution in the Philippines to have signed a partnership with the global futures network during the conference. “We are honored to be one of the only two institutions APFN has signed an MOU with, alongside the Dubai Future Foundation,” EA Peñaranda said.

EA Peñaranda and Dr. De Paz also attended the two-day 10th APFN Conference. Established to unite futurists in the Asia-Pacific region, the conference serves as a platform for analyzing trends, creating new knowledge, and linking futures theory with practice, supporting the growth of Futures Studies and strategic foresight across the region.

Prior to the conference, they also participated in the Futures-Thinking and Transformational Change Master Class special course held at Pratumwan Princess Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on September 2-3.

Globally recognized futurists, Prof. Sohail Inayatullah and Dr. Ivana Milojevic were the speakers at the two-day intensive workshop.

The SIKLAB Director expressed optimism about the engagement with APFN and its potential benefits for the university and BiPSU’s knowledge laboratory.

“Tonight was truly a humbling and wonderful experience,” EA Peñaranda said. “May this engagement result in more future-proof, foresight-driven, democratized activities for the benefit and empowerment of our people.”

#WoWBiPSU