FIP UNU Jogja Holds Public Lecture ‘Futures Design and Future Literacy in Education’ with Prof. Dr. Jian-bang Deng, Tamkang University Taiwan

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — The Faculty of Education (FIP) of UNU Jogja held a public lecture titled “Futures Design and Future Literacy in Education” at the UNU Yogyakarta Convention Hall on Thursday, November 6. The event was attended by students from the English Education and Elementary Teacher Education Departments as part of efforts to strengthen global perspectives and enhance readiness for the rapidly evolving educational landscape in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Vice Dean of the Faculty of Education, Dr. Hariyanto Subiyantoro, highlighted that the development of technology, including AI, has brought significant changes to the education sector. “Technology is advancing quickly, and AI has shaped global transformations in education. Therefore, students must use AI tools not only as passive users but also to explore and develop learning programs in this campus. You can deepen your knowledge, ask questions, and expand your ideas simply by leveraging the device in your hand,” he stated in his opening remarks.

The public lecture featured Prof. Dr. Jian-bang Deng, a scholar from the Department of Education and Futures Design, Tamkang University, Taiwan. He is widely known for his research and teaching in futures literacy, educational design, and futures studies, as well as his international collaborations in developing education models linked to social change.

During his presentation, Prof. Deng explained that futures literacy is an essential skill for educators and learners to understand that the future is plural, open, and shaped by human choices and actions. He emphasized that education must not only prepare students for the present but also equip them to navigate uncertain and rapidly changing future scenarios.

He further noted that the future is not something that simply arrives, but something that can be intentionally designed. Through the futures design approach, education aims to shape learners into change makers—individuals capable of creating and directing change in society through informed and strategic actions.

Prof. Deng also presented examples of futures design practices in global education, including collaborative learning models that connect social, environmental, and technological issues, such as the Future Design and Education Program developed at Tamkang University. The program aims to produce graduates who can read emerging trends and craft innovative solutions rooted in sustainability and human values.

The session concluded with an interactive discussion, during which students responded enthusiastically—particularly on the topic of integrating AI into foundational learning and English language education, and how educators can maintain human-centered teaching in times of rapid technological change.  [Latifah]