AS PART of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, the University of Mindanao has strengthened its various community extension projects with partner communities.
This is one of its ways to serve the community not only in Davao City, but also in other areas in Davao Region through the UM Community Extension and Outreach Office.
To comply with the university's requirements for every program, the professors and students of Doctor of Public Administration (DPA), Master in Public Administration (MPA) and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BAPS) Programs implemented their Community Service Caravan in Barangay 76-A Bucana, Davao City last April 14, 2018.
"This year’s caravan focuses on good governance in response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s campaign against graft and corruption," Dr. Victoria O. Ligan, coordinator of DPA/MPA/BAPS Programs, said in an interview.
She said the issue of graft and corruption has been a topmost concern of all public administrators, thus the conduct of the Forum on Good Governance in Bucana.
"We believe that the impact of corruption will be reduced when ordinary people are able to understand, monitor, and shall have a say on where and how the public money is spent. This is the reason why this activity is being conducted," Ligan added.
The forum was participated in by 120 participants from different puroks of Bucana headed by Barangay Captain Rolando Trajera and barangay council members.
"The inputs of the resource speakers helped me understand the effect of graft and corruption and it taught me how to report corruption cases to the media and the Office of the Ombudsman," one participant said.
Professor Richard Algabre discussed the effects of corruption in the delivery of basic social services;
Professor Samuel Anay discussed the call for work ethics and renewal; and this writer discussed the role of the citizens and the media on transparency and anti-corruption reporting.
Meanwhile, aside from serving the community, the Professional Schools remains steadfast in providing avenues for its stakeholders to discuss relevant topics concerning its academic programs, thus the conduct of the Program Advisory Council Forum last April 4, 2018.
The council is composed of representatives from the industry, alumni, faculty, and students.
Professional Schools Dean Eugenio S. Guhao, Jr., DM, said the forum is conducted to hear inputs and expert feedback from the invited experts to improve the curricula and enhance their Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) of different programs offered by the university.
The inputs form experts will be adopted and implemented by the university next school year.