Regenerative Futures: why and how to move forward as a Philippine State University?

Abstract

This paper discusses the concept of regenerative futures as an agendum for leadership at the Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) in the Philippines. The paper highlights the need for a paradigm shift to reimagine and rethink “sustainability” from a restorative, enrichment, and regenerative standpoint. The initial stance of regenerative futures at DOrSU is environment-centered and biodiversity-focused, but there is a need to lay down key steps to articulate such direction in the university’s three interdependent divisions. The paper proposes a pyramid model of the university's regenerative vision, mission, and values and emphasizes the need to teach regenerative futures as contents, outcomes, and values. Regeneration must be adapted as a vision, mission, and core value, and the academic community must collectively define the operationality of these critical terms.