OUTCOMES-BASED EDUCATION FRAMEWORK

Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

The BS Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (BSABE) program of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering (IAE) have already earned several seals of excellence. It has successfully completed the evaluation of the ASEAN University Network Quality Assessment (AUN-QA) at the program level and is certified from 2015 to 2019. Also, due to the consistently very high passing rate of students to the National Licensure Examination, the Institute of Agricultural Engineering is currently recognized as the Top Performing School in Agricultural Engineering by the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC), and likewise recognized as the Center of Excellence in Agricultural Engineering Education by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

At present, the Institute is revising the curriculum in its 47^th year, to trail blaze BSABE programs in the country and to continue the tradition of excellence. In this curricular revision, the changes are mainly focused on keeping the program up to date by the integration of advances in information technology, and application of materials and manufacturing processes in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. For some of the courses, a more hands-on approach was proposed in order for the students to appreciate and experience the concept of “learning by doing”.  Some of the contents of the courses were also streamlined to highlight the most relevant and important topics in ABE. Realizing the role of engineers in the development of innovation and technology, changes were instituted to further strengthen the students’ creativity and technopreneurial attitude.

With the adoption of the Outcomes Based Education (OBE) format, regular consultation with stakeholders involving government agencies, professional association, and professional practitioners provide a strong impetus toward this curriculum revision. Likewise, the PRC and CHED also provided valuable insights to further advance the curriculum. Furthermore, with the ongoing implementation of the K-12 program, issues can be simultaneously addressed.

 It has always been the institution’s aim to provide the aspiring professional, the students, an engineering- based educational platform that is firmly rooted in the physical and agricultural sciences for the practical and economic application of those sciences. The revisions in the BSABE curricular proposal will provide our students an excellent learning experience that would definitely equip them to become outstanding agricultural and biosystems engineers.

Program Educational Objectives (PEO)

A feature of the BSABE-OBE curriculum is the feedback mechanism for continuous quality improvement (CQI) of the program. All stakeholders (students, teachers, employers, industry partners, administrators) are consulted for the improvement of program implementation.

 The changes such as OBE educational system and BSABE 4-year curriculum are made to address the need of the different stakeholders in the agricultural and biosystems industry.

Table 1. Relationship of Program Educational Outcomes to the Mandate of the UP as the National University

The University of the Philippines shall (Section 3, R.A. 9500):

1. Lead in setting academic standards and initiating innovations in teaching, research, and faculty development in philosophy, the arts and humanities, the social sciences, engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, and technology, and maintain centers of excellence in these disciplines and professions;
2. Serve as a graduate university by providing advanced studies and specialization for scholars, scientist, writers, artists, and professionals especially those who serve on the faculty of state and private colleges and universities;
3. Serve as a research university in various fields of expertise and specialization by conducting basic and applied research, promoting research and development, and contributing to the dissemination and application of knowledge;
4. Lead as a public service university by providing various forms of community, public and volunteer service, as well as scholarly and technical assistance to the government, the private sector, and civil society while maintaining its standards of excellence;
5. Protect and promote the professional and economic rights and welfare of its academic and non-academic personnel;
6. Provide opportunities for training and learning in leadership, responsible citizenship, and the development of democratic values, institutions, and practice through academic and non-academic programs, including sports and enhancement of nationalism and national identity;
7. Serve as a regional and global university in cooperation associations in the Asia Pacific Region and around the world; and
8. Provide democratic governance based on collegiality, representation, accountability, transparency, and active participation of its constituents; and promote the holding of fora for students, faculty, research, extension and professional staff (REPS), administrative staff, and alumni to discuss non-academic issues affecting the University.

1. Program Learning Outcomes – a graduate of the BS Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering should have the ability to:

 Common to all programs

1. Articulate the latest developments in their specific field of practice
2. Effectively communicate orally and in writing using both English and Filipino languages
3. Work effectively and independently in multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams
4. Demonstrate professional, social and ethical responsibility, especially in practicing intellectual property rights and sustainable development
5. Preserve and promote Filipino historical and cultural heritage

Common to all engineering programs

1. Apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve engineering problems
2. Design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. Design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability, in accordance with standards
4. Recognize the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
5. Understand contemporary issues
6. Use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Specific to BS Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

1. Utilize enduring understanding of AB science and engineering principles to solve ABE problems
2. Apply ABE and management principles as a member or leader in a team to manage ABE projects
3. Analyze the impact of ABE solutions in a global, socio-economic and environmental context

Specific to the University of the Philippines

1. Lead with honor and excellence in public service and in fields of practice

Table 2.  Relationship of Program Learning Outcomes to Program Educational Outcomes