LOOK | CNU execs attend futures thinking masterclass
To strengthen leadership capacity in anticipating emerging trends and challenges in higher education, Cebu Normal University (CNU) officials are undergoing a three-day University Futures Masterclass at a hotel in Cebu City.
The masterclass, organized by the Philippine Futures Thinking Society (PhilFutures) and CNU Planning, Foresight, and Futures Thinking Unit, is designed to equip leaders and academics with strategic foresight skills. Using tools such as scenario building and emerging issues analysis, the masterclass trains participants to embrace uncertainty, identify opportunities, and drive innovation in their institutions.
Dr. Ma. Oliva Domingo, PhilFutures senior fellow, kicks off the sessions with an overview of the course.
She underscores the need for leaders to set their mindset on the future, saying “change is accelerating.”
“Set your mindset, think of the implications and explore the range of possibilities. Futures thinking is embracing uncertainty and complexity…We must all be architects of the future,” she says.
Other PhilFutures experts facilitate key sessions: former Commission of Higher Education commissioner Dr. Ruperto Sangalang, on behalf of resident futurist Emmanuel De Guia, leads a provocation activity on potential futures, while Dr. Reginald Ugaddan, director for Strategic Research, tackles Foresight and Futures Thinking: A Briefer and guided participants through workshop modules.
In his address, CNU President Dr. Daniel Ariaso, Sr. links the training to the university’s vision of global relevance, citing CNU’s expansion of external campuses as part of its foresight.
“We are intensifying our efforts in creating external campuses in Cebu and beyond as we are placing CNU in the world map,” he says.
The president also calls on CNU leaders to think of the future.
“Think 50 or 100 years from now, because the impact of what we are doing today will shape CNU’s tomorrow,” he says, urging leaders to “strive and do their best in making detours of the mindset.”
National leaders also expressed support through recorded video messages.
Senators Pia Cayetano and Win Gatchalian both highlight the importance and role of foresight and futures thinking in policy making and governance.
“To our leaders, it is not enough to think of today…shift your mindset to mainstreaming futures thinking in our systems and processes and in crafting policies and reforms,” says Sen. Cayetano.
As for the future of education, she stresses the importance of innovation, saying education should be flexible and adoptive to the needs of future learners.
“The future is something we can adopt to, thrive in,” she adds.
Sen. Gatchalian likewise highlights the broader role of foresight in education.
“Ang ating mundo ay patuloy na nagbabago kaya mahalaga na ang systema ng ating edukasyon ay hindi lamang tumutugon sa kasalukuyqng pangangailangan kundi pati na rin sa hamon ng hinaharap,” he says.
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