PANABO CITY — The Davao Sustainable Futures Conference (DSFC) 2025, themed “Futuring Together: Breaking Grounds, Shaping Directions”, convened international scholars, researchers, educators, and futurists to chart a collective roadmap for a sustainable and resilient future. The conference was held on October 29–30, 2025, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City.
Organized by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges XI (PASUC XI) in collaboration with Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), Davao del Sur State College (DdSSC), Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), Davao de Oro State College (DdOSC), University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), and Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), the two-day event gathered scholars and students to present research and posters under the themes of education, innovation, agriculture, nature and environment, business, peace, and development.
The conference featured a diverse lineup of international keynote speakers: Prof. Hiromi M. Yokoyama from the University of Tokyo, Japan; Prof. Masako Ishii from Rikkyo University, Japan; and Dr. Michael L. Abundo of BluC53 Pte Ltd., Singapore.
Ahead of the main sessions, a Pre-Conference Learning Forum equipped participants with tools for research visibility and global collaboration. The discussions featured; Dr. Leticia S. dos Muchangos (Hiroshima University, Japan) on selecting the right publication outlets, Dr. Exequiel C. Cabanda (National University of Singapore) on navigating peer review challenges, Asst. Prof. Daniel Fritz Silvallana (Deakin University, Australia / DNSC) on securing international fellowships, and Dr. Girley S. Gumanao (DNSC) on building sustainable research partnerships.
In her keynote message, Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa, President of DNSC and Chairperson of PASUC XI, reiterated the conference’s forward-looking mission, “PASUC XI is proud to co-host this inaugural Davao Sustainable Futures Conference 2025. We are founded on the conviction that we can make our future better. We are not passive observers of the coming decades. We are its architects, building a future that is prosperous, equitable, and sustainable for Davao and beyond.”
The DSFC 2025 stands as a landmark convergence of ideas in Southern Mindanao, reaffirming the role of higher education in shaping long-term sustainability agenda. By fostering cross-sector collaboration between academia, government, and industry, the conference not only advances research-driven innovation but also cements Davao’s position as a regional hub for futures thinking, inclusive growth, and sustainable development in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region.
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