UPOU-FMDS Organizes Feeding MinDS: Skills Forecasting for Higher Education

In a bid to enhance the role of skills forecasting in higher education, UP Open University’s Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS) hosted the “Feeding MinDS: Skills Forecasting for Higher Education”. The event took place both onsite at the Centennial Center for Digital Learning (CCDL), UP Open University, and was simultaneously streamed online through Zoom and UPOU Streaming networks. 

The symposium commenced with a warm welcome from Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez, who introduced the event as part of the special FMDS series, ‘Feeding MinDS,’ dedicated to knowledge sharing and upskilling among faculty and staff. Recognizing the significance of this topic and its potential impact on students, this session was extended to the public. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Joane V. Serrano, the Dean of the FMDS. 

The event featured three distinguished speakers who delved into crucial aspects of skills forecasting. Mrs. Socheata Sou,  National Project Coordinator of the International Labour Organization in Cambodia, kicked off with an exploration of the essentials of skills forecasting. Dr. Dharendra Wardhana, the Senior Planner at the Ministry of National Development Planning, National Development Agency of Republic of Indonesia, shared insights into the role of skills forecasting in the ASEAN, focusing on the case of Indonesia. Dr. Leo Mendel Rosario, Assistant Professor and Program Chair of the Diploma in/Master of Research and Development Management at UPOU, concluded the presentations by discussing the “Leveraging Skills Forecasting in Higher Education. 

Following the presentations, Asst. Prof. Saludadez facilitated an engaging open forum, allowing participants to pose questions and share their thoughts with the speakers.

The symposium concluded with the awarding of certificates to the esteemed speakers. Asst. Prof. Tricia Ascan  presented the certificates of appreciation to Mrs. Socheata Sou, Dr. Dharendra Wardhana, and Dr. Leo Mendel Rosario on behalf of the Dean of FMDS. The certificates highlighted their valuable contributions as resource speakers in the “Skills Forecasting in Higher Education”.

The “Feeding MinDS: Skills Forecasting for Higher Education” proved to be a valuable platform for educators, researchers, and professionals, contributing to the ongoing discourse on skills forecasting in the context of higher education.