Philippine E-Journals

Reflections on the Community Engagement of a Higher Education Institution in Northern Mindanao

Herlie B. Ontoy

 

Abstract:

Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) are compelled to carry out three major functions: instruction, research, and community extension. Most newly established and small universities are finding it hard to comply with the requirements of each function but, still, they put in place an extension office with a corresponding set of budget and manpower (Juanillo, 2014). However, installing an office and staffing may not be enough to carry out the extension mandates. There is a need to incorporate a certain quality of management techniques into the conduct of community extension program, especially for school to succeed. The school’s extension implementers may find themselves misfit for the job if they lack the proper management skills to implement the program, which is directed mostly to adult beneficiaries at the grassroots. Their academic training may have not prepared them for extension work.