ABSTRACT
This descriptive-evaluative research aimed to assess and describe the “Arkineering” Extension Program of ISAT U College of Engineering and Architecture. Forty program beneficiaries were purposively selected and a researcher-made questionnaire was administered. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings revealed that the Program Mandate was clearly aligned with the vision, mission, and goals of the university. The projects, activities and other initiatives of the Program were equitably shared by the beneficiaries who demonstrated active participation and involvement. Generation of income and enhancement of environmental resources were classified by ninety-five percent of the beneficiaries who further described their level of satisfaction from “much satisfied” to “very much satisfied”. Among the issues and challenges encountered by the beneficiaries in the implementation of the Program were limited training materials, conflict of training with the work schedule, and lack of transport expenses. Pertinent recommendations were offered.
Keywords: “Arkineering” Extension Program, beneficiaries’ involvement, community development
INTRODUCTION
The development of the community is a dynamic process involving all segments of the locality, including the often-overlooked population. The key component to the development process is found in the creation and maintenance of channels of interaction and communication among diverse local groups that are directed toward individual interests. Hence, the act of conducting Community Extension Programs is needed to solely address multi-faceted community issues effectively involving the local government officials, knowledge-based sector, the academe, and the partnered communities (Ascan, et al., 2016).
The State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines offer a wide variety of extension programs and services to serve and improve community life. Extension Programs are designed primarily to: 1) increase the security of livelihood; 2) alleviate poverty; 3) reduce illiteracy; 4) improve health and nutrition; 5) sustain human development; 6) create a system of governance that promotes support; and 7) protect and preserve the environment. The people in the community must be empowered in mind, body and resources to augment and make government responsive to their needs and aspiration. Hence, good governance increases the opportunity of the people to participate in decision making, institution building and social life (Bidad & Campiseño, 2010).
The Iloilo Science and Technology University, also known as ISAT U, is one of the leading state or government-owned universities in the Philippines mandated to perform the three core functions of higher learning consisting of instruction, research, and extension. One of its primary institutional goals is to provide, facilitate, and conduct quality extension programs, projects, and activities for the improvement of the quality life in the community (ISAT U ESD Revised Manual of Operation, 2018).
The ISAT U College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) as one of its constituents is committed to implement mandates on extension specifically in planning, implementation, and evaluation of extension programs and projects in the community that will increase awareness, and maximize expertise, optimistic involvement, and commitment of the faculty, staff, and beneficiaries in the community service. These shall be realized through the implementation of the ISAT U CEA Extension Programs.
The ISAT U CEA Extension Program in Brgy. Tagbac, Oton, is known as the “Arkineering” Extension program, a six-year Techno-Knowledge Transfer Program or socio-economic program which started in the year 2018. The name “Arkineering” is derived from the word Architecture for “Arki” and Engineering for “neering”. The program is composed of capacity building and livelihood projects that conduct series of activities and trainings to include Organic Crop Production, Dressmaking, Solar PV Powered Water Pumping System Training, Basic Building Wiring and Solar PV System Training, Solar PV Powered Drip Irrigation System Training, Basic Metal Arc Welding Training, Landscaping, and Basic Bookkeeping and Accounting intended for the beneficiaries in Brgy. Tagbac, Oton, Iloilo.
The “Arkineering” extension program helps the targeted beneficiaries and the local community to enhance their practices and capabilities through skills trainings, improve household consumption, help gain career opportunities and additional income, and promote and conserve the environment.
The researcher, who had the opportunity to be a part of the “Arkineering” Extension Program since its inception, has recognized the need to conduct an assessment of the program to validate the relevance of the program’s existence, hence the conduct of the present study.
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