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National Symposium on Cooperative Education Pushes for Integration in Higher Education System

October 16, 2024

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA - The National Symposium on Mainstreaming Cooperatives in Philippine Higher Education, held on October 14, 2024, at the REDREC Auditorium, UPLB, brought together 175 participants from the academe, cooperative sector, government, and private institutions. The event, organized by the Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED) in collaboration with the UPLB Office of the Chancellor, provided a platform for discussing the integration of cooperative education into the higher education system as a critical step toward strengthening the cooperative movement in the Philippines.

UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho emphasized the importance of education in developing future cooperative leaders and the need for collaboration among institutions to strengthen cooperative education.

“This measure will proliferate a greater appreciation for cooperatives, as well as produce graduates, and potential leaders with the skills, the insights, and the ethics needed to manage and grow cooperatives," Camacho said.

The event's keynote speakers offered diverse perspectives on advancing cooperative education in international and local contexts. Mohamad Rasydi Bin Abd Rashid of the Institut Koperasi Malaysia (IKMa), shared IKMa’s best practices in integrating cooperative studies into the academic system while Sally S. Triñanes of the Cooperative Development Authority discussed the importance of investing in formal education to professionalize cooperative management.

The symposium's plenary sessions featured experts who discussed various areas of cooperative education. Adriann M. Quilloy from ICOPED explained the current status and progress of cooperative education in the country. Hilda F. San Gabriel from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines addressed the need for professionalizing cooperative leadership and governance, while Maria Corazon M. Samorin of West Visayas State University highlighted the prospects and challenges in mainstreaming cooperative education within HEIs.

“We do not confine ourselves with the typical mandatory training, we also learn by doing and seeing the actual initiatives of cooperatives from different places in the globe”, San Gabriel said. 

The symposium culminated in the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among HEIs, establishing the Philippine Consortium for Cooperative Education and Research (PCCER). This newly formed consortium aims to promote cooperative education through research, capacity-building, and policy advocacy. The founding members include Ilocos Sur Community College, Mariano Marcos State University, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, State University of Northern Negros, University of Northern Philippines, and West Visayas State University.

With plans to reconvene in January 2025, the event laid the groundwork for ongoing dialogue and collaboration, as well as the shared dedication to advancing cooperative education throughout the country’s higher education institutions.

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PCCERE Founding Members Develop Plans in Roundtable Discussion and Workshop

October 16, 2024

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA - The founding members of the Philippine Consortium for Cooperative Education, Research, and Extension (PCCERE) convened on October 14, 2024, at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) for a roundtable discussion and workshop. As part of National Cooperative Month, the event brought together representatives from eight Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to outline strategies for advancing cooperative education in the Philippines.

The discussion, organized by UPLB’s Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED), was attended by participants from Ilocos Sur Community College, Mariano Marcos State University, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, State University of Northern Negros, University of Northern Philippines, and West Visayas State University.

Participants engaged in a structured workshop to define the consortium’s goals, operational frameworks, and priorities. One of the main points discussed was the consortium’s purpose— to serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing, research collaboration, and the pooling of resources to address the challenges faced by cooperative education programs across the country. This collaboration would also strengthen the lobbying power of its members, secure funding opportunities, and improve community engagement through cooperative initiatives.

In the consortium’s immediate plans, the members identified key priorities for the first year such as expanding membership, securing formal endorsements from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and standardizing cooperative education curriculum across participating institutions. For the next two months, the group set priorities such as finalizing the proceedings from the roundtable, identifying each SUC’s core strengths, and establishing a communication platform for coordination among members. 

The group also established guiding principles to direct their efforts, which include equity, collective action, solidarity, inclusivity, and commitment to community development. Progress will be tracked through increased membership, collaborative research initiatives, and skill development in communities supported by the consortium.

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UPLB-ICOPED Hosts COOPversation 2024: Discussion on the Current State of Cooperative Education in Philippine Higher Education Institutions

August 27, 2024

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA - The UPLB Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED) held an online brown-bag session on August 27, 2024, titled "COOPversation: Cooperative Education Programs in the Philippines”. This event brought together representatives from higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide to discuss current strengths and challenges in cooperative education and opportunities for future collaborations.

The session was attended by program heads, college deans, and representatives from the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC), West Visayas State University (WVSU), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), and State University of Northern Negros (SUNN), along with the director and delegates from ICOPED. UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Agham C. Cuevas were also present.

Discussions centered on the pressing issues and concerns facing cooperative education in the participating universities and colleges. Key challenges identified included the lack of extension programs, insufficient funding, inadequacy of instructional and learning materials, low demand for cooperative management courses, and the need to solidify professional tracks for graduates.

“The problem with cooperative education is very unique. We share these similar challenges, and by gathering together, it becomes timely and relevant to build a platform and communicate these issues as one to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA),” Chancellor Camacho emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing these issues.

As of the writing, 16 higher education institutions in the Philippines offer cooperative management and related programs. These include 13 bachelor’s programs, four master’s programs, and one associate program. 

The session concluded with a forward-looking plan presented by Dr. Karen Q. Custodio, who proposed building a community of practice, specifically by forming a cooperative consortium of HEIs as a strategy for addressing the collective concerns in cooperative education and putting forward relevant actionable suggestions to CHED and CDA.

As the academic institutions prepare for the next steps, the participants amplified the need for continuous dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders to advance cooperative education in the Philippines. In this regard, a roundtable discussion and a national symposium are scheduled for October to serve as venues for the dialogues and collaborations. 

Ms. Adriann M. Quilloy, University Extension Specialist from UPLB ICOPED, hosted the session.

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