The Doctor in Sustainability (DSus) Program of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) recently held a five-day Intensive Course from 5-9 August 2024 at the CCDL Auditorium, UPOU Headquarters. This intensive course is part of the admission requirements to the DSus program. Sixty-nine (69) applicants from diverse backgrounds and professions attended and completed the course for First Semester AY 2024-2025.
In those five days, the Intensive Course featured lectures and workshops from experts in sustainability and related disciplines. Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Professor and Dean, opened the first day with a leveling off on sustainability and the role of DSus students in UPOU as a sustainable campus. DSus applicants were then grouped by sector to discuss their pressing concerns on relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Alexander G. Flor, Professor Emeritus, followed with an inspiring presentation on the nature and future of sustainability. Afterward, the DSus applicants were enjoined to do “walking research” on the UPOU campus every day. This research aimed to experience walking as a methodology and framework for reflection in the context of understanding SDGs holistically and how human activities influence our environment.
On the second day, the DSus applicants engaged in discussions on sustainability research gaps with Dr. Ricardo T. Bagarinao, Professor and Director of the UPOU Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning. They further delved into their positionality as DSus students with Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, Professor and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, discussing reflexivity in sustainability.
More compelling sustainability conversations were tackled on the third day with Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, Associate Professor and Director of the UPOU Office of Gender Concerns, and Dr. Aurora V. Lacaste, Assistant Professor and Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Instruction. Dr. Taylan shared reflective learning as an evolving and lifelong process that involves regularly taking time to reflect on one’s feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and assumptions to the participants, while Dr. Lacaste talked about the significance of education in sustainable development.
The fourth day featured a packed discourse with three experts: Dr. Inocencio E. Buot, Jr., Professor, UP Scientist, and National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Achievement Awardee; Dr. Juan M. Pulhin, Professor, UP Scientist III, and National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Academician; and Dr. Leo Mendel D. Rosario, Assistant Professor and Program Chair of the Diploma in and Master of Research and Development Management. Dr. Buot emphasized a reconceptualization of conservation practices to ensure sustainability in this modern time while Dr. Pulhin focused on the importance of Systems Thinking in addressing the complex, interconnected challenges of sustainability, advocating for a shift from reductionist to holistic approaches in both thought and practice. Lastly, Dr. Rosario conducted a lecture-workshop entitled Futurescoping, focusing on topics such as futures thinking, strategic foresight, and scenario analysis.
On the morning of the last day, the DSus applicants immersed themselves in an emerging integrated farm and a trolley community. Together with Project LAKBAY or Learning Actively through Knowledge-Based Appreciation for Youth fellows, some DSus applicants participated in a dietary supplementation program by Rise Against Hunger through Good Food Farm in Magdalena, Laguna. Meanwhile, the rest of the DSus applicants rode trolleys in Brgy. San Antonio in Los Baños, Laguna, and engaged in meaningful conversations with the trolley community.
Dr. Jabez Joshua M. Flores, Senior Lecturer, was the last speaker of the intensive course where he shared the use of drones for sustainability research. To culminate the course, the DSus applicants presented their walking research reflections followed by Dr. Joane Serrano’s closing message on admission reminders, a call for action toward sustainability, and a tree-planting ceremony at the UPOU Headquarters.
Written by Janele Ann Belegal & Dina Mae Rejano ♦ Edited by Larry N. Cruz ♦ Cross-posted from FMDS Website
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