UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao welcomes the delegates.

Participants from various Higher Education Institutions engage in workshop exercises.

UP Mindanao Office of Extension and Community Service, Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, in collaboration with Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Cebu and Visayas, recently organized a seminar-workshop on Service Learning: Concepts, Contexts, and Challenges on February 28, 2024, at the Blue Lotus Hotel in Davao City.

Educators from various higher education institutions across Mindanao actively participated in this workshop. Aligned with the Knowledge Fair, this seminar-workshop was a vital component of the UPMin 29th Founding Anniversary celebrations. 

Dr. Aurelio P. Vilbar of UP Cebu Pahinungod explains the exercise

UPMin Pahinungod Director Michael A. Gatela

UPMin Extension Director a/Prof. Erwin E. Protacio

UPMin faculty members A/Prof. Dennis Sumaylo, Vice-Chancellor Annabelle Novero, and a/Prof. Meynard Usares in discussion

This event is co-organized by three different UP Constituent Universities (Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Mindanao, UP Cebu Ugnayan Ng Pahinungód, and UP Visayas Ugnayan ng Pahinungod/Oblation Corps), coming together to mark the 30th Founding Anniversary of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód.

The Seminar aims to highlight how service learning will provide a much more compelling learning experience for students and provide services to the community.

The sessions covered the benefits of integrating service learning and practical integration strategies for teaching and research. Participants talked about three service-learning initiatives while carrying out their respective hybrid and in-person activities.

Professor Olivar discussed Cebu Technological University's service learning program in a study titled "Impact Service Learning on the Students and the PDL Community Baking Skills." The study found that incorporating service learning into the Hospitality Management curriculum with the PDL community had a significant positive impact on the students who participated as active trainers.

Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Visayas Director Prof. Jerry Ian Leonida responded to the first session and offered his views on the plenary speech. He restated Professor Vibar's claim that implementing service learning can help volunteers and students in terms of their emotional well-being, personal development, and cognitive capacities. This makes for service learning a strong selling point in implementation.

He believed that the Service Learning approach to teaching and research could be a bridge or core that makes the academic content relatable and significant to communities.
He also shared his insights into Dr. Olivar's presentation and said that it was a powerful testament to the potential of public service learning as a transdisciplinary tool for public service.

The next session is a panel presentation led by Asst. Prof Edwin Estrera, Mr. Kenneth Gallardo, and Asst. Prof Rodgessa A. Lopez on teachers' perspectives on Service Learning: Implementation and Evaluation.

Prof. Estrera believes that volunteerism is a continuum that starts in secondary education and continues through college and graduate education. Mr. Kenneth Gallardo, an NSTP instructor from UP Cebu, imparted his knowledge and experience in implementing service learning. Prof. Rodgessa Lopez from UP Mindanao shared her implementation of SLO in her four subjects. She believes in mainstreaming volunteerism in the university.

In response to the presentation, Prof. Annabelle U. Novero, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of UP Mindanao, stated that the institution is working toward a unified core curriculum, of which service is one of the pillars, and that students will soon need to submit a proposal for an impact project.

Speakers led another panel discussion regarding the Impact of Service Learning on Students from UP Mindanao students: Joseph S. Bengil and Ryn R. Lahoylahoy and UP Cebu students Bazer Timothy Nunez and Eizel Tanah Vea C. Colina.

The service-learning workshop proceeded in the afternoon, with educators split into two groups—NSTP and non-NSTP teachers—to consider potential courses in which they might incorporate Service Learning during the seminar workshop.

The seminar-workshop ended with a meaningful discussion of how Service Learning should be anchored to the vision and mission of their universities and colleges. They shall follow the SMART idea (Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bounded).

The Seminar was attended by educators from various HEIs across Mindanao, such as Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Child College of Davao, Holy Cross of Davao College, Davao Doctors College, Jose Maria College Foundation, Philippine Women's College of Davao, Rizal Memorial Colleges, St John Paul II College of Davao, University of Mindanao, University of Southeastern Philippines, the Medical Mission Group College of General Santos City, and Notre Dame of Midsayap College. 

The online representatives were from UP Diliman, UP Visayas, UP Cebu, UP Tacloban, West Visayas State University, Leyte Normal University, Navotas Polytechnic College, Notre Dame of Marbel University, Central Mindanao Colleges, Laak Institute Foundation, Guimaras State University, Assumption Academy of Mawab, Davao Central College, Gabriel Taborin College of Davao Foundation, Assumption College of Davao, the House of Representatives, and the Philippine Mushroom Society-Davao Region XI.