Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), in partnership with the Development Academy of the PhilippinesโGraduate School of Public Management (DAP-GSPM), hosted the SDG & Futures Regional Caravan: โKnowledge Co-creation towards Sustainable Developmentโ on September 10 at the College of Teacher Education (CTE) Social Hall.
The activity brought together members of the academe, government and development institutions, researchers, presenters, and other participants to discuss sustainable development, futures thinking, and the translation of research into practical development strategies.
Representing WMSU President Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, Dr. Berhana I. Flores, Vice President for Academic Affairs, delivered the universityโs welcome message. She emphasized the role of education, research, innovation, and partnerships in strengthening institutional capacity to respond to emerging challenges and contribute to sustainable development.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lizan E. Perante-Calina, DPA, Senior Vice President and Dean of DAP-GSPM, underscored the urgency of collective action toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that less than five years remain to fulfill the commitments of the 2030 Agenda.
Dr. Perante-Calina highlighted the challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific region in advancing the SDGs and stressed the importance of translating research into locally relevant policy inputs and practical interventions. She emphasized the need for research and knowledge to move beyond reports and classrooms and translate into decisions, partnerships, investments, and actions that communities can experience.
She also highlighted SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, citing the collaboration between DAP-GSPM and WMSU as an avenue for strengthening regional capacity. She noted WMSUโs institutional capacity, regional knowledge, and development priorities as valuable assets in addressing the needs of the Zamboanga Peninsula and neighboring areas of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The lecture proper featured discussions on sustainable development and futures thinking, providing participants with evidence-based perspectives and opportunities to examine how research, local knowledge, and foresight can contribute to more responsive policies and development strategies.
The caravan also featured the presentation of DAP-GSPM program offerings and the ceremonial turnover of knowledge products, further strengthening knowledge-sharing and institutional collaboration between DAP-GSPM and WMSU.
The activity highlighted the importance of connecting research with development realities and evidence with policy to support communities that are more resilient, inclusive, and futures-ready.
Through the partnership, WMSU and DAP-GSPM continue to advance knowledge co-creation and collaboration toward sustainable development in the region. (MKMQuin, PAO)
