UM COMMUNITY EXTENSION DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE

The University of Mindanao (UM) adheres to view that and educational institution has three interweaving components namely: academic instruction, research and community extension. The University believes that extension is a genuine force for individual and social transformation. Its potent force is seen to effect societal change and development as it introduces institutes, strengthens, and sustains change and development in concrete forms that are empirical and visible.

In pursuit of its vision, mission and goal, the University firmly believes that development is participatory process of bringing about social change in a society that allows the realization of people’s dreams and aspirations. It is people-centered wherein members of the society are able to increase their personal and institutional capacities to mobilize and manage resources that would bring about sustainable and justly distributed improvement in their quality of life. It is grounded on the view that human values are to be realized so that the society would have greater controls aver its environment and over its own political destiny.

Furthermore, it embodies the principles of justice, sustainability, equality, self-reliance participation, empowerment, modernization and promotion of cultural identity.

The developmental goals that the University is promoting are economic, social and environmental in nature which is spelled-out as:

a. Equality of the distribution of socio-economic benefits, information, resources and wealth, etc.

b. Popular participation in development planning and execution

c. Self-reliance and independence in development with emphases upon the potential of local resources and ;

d. Integration of traditional with modern systems (Rogers, 1980)

e. Enhancement of productive and recycling capacities of the ecological system, which should not exceed natural limits through human intervention.

The University of Mindanao Community Extension Program identifies four main components in assisting the development of its partner communities. The four components, if undertaken, together encompass the developmental requirements for a sustainable community. The four components are:

1. Improving the Socio-economic Conditions of Partner Communities. Social and economic mobility of the community members is essential for continued development of the community. Programs and projects such as provision of social services like education, health and welfare services are needed for an effective development intervention. Income generating projects and opportunities must be integrated to allow community members to develop sustain livelihood and enhance self-reliance.

2. Strengthening of Community Social Infrastructures. Community–based organizations, civil society organization and the barangay political organizations are needed to provide leadership in their locality. Provision of training courses, seminars and workshops to strengthen the managerial capabilities of leaders and members need to be undertaken. Community organizing work is deemed essential to prepare the community to handle partnerships with the University, local government and other non-government organizations.

3. Building Physical Infrastructures and Enhancing Environment. Physical structures need to be put in place to support the socio-economic and political undertakings of the community. Housing and school infrastructures are required to be built to provide physical centers for the individuals and the community. The natural environment within the community has to be enhanced to provide amenity and allow replenishment of its natural resources.

4. Expanding Partnerships. Linkages between the community and other external organizations are essential to enhance the social capital of the community. Organizing volunteers and volunteer groups within the University to assist partner communities is important to sustain the development efforts of the community. Linking the community with other institutions like government agencies, non-government organizations allows the partner communities to form collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of life of its citizens.

With these four main components of community extension, the following strategies have been identified to strengthen the community extension capability of the Colleges and Departments:

1. Concentration of community extension programs on partner barangays. The University will be focusing its services in Barangay Aplaya, Digos City: This will allow the different colleges and development to undertake different programs needed for a comprehensive approach in the development of the locality.

2. One Academic Program, One Banner Project. The academic programs of the colleges are tasked to develop one banner project that is suited to the strengths and capability of their discipline. This would then be matched with the needs of the community. This approach will allow the faculty and students to develop their skills in their discipline through practical applications in the communities.

3. Serving the Professionals through training and consultancy. To serve the needs of professionals, the academic programs are tasked to create opportunities for professional and personal development of field practitioners through trainings, seminars, symposia, fora, etc. The University also encourages the faculty to serve as consultants and/ or adviser/ member of councils so that s/he can mentor and share development perspectives in aid of policy formulation, policy review, enhancement of programs and services and improved operations of an organization.

4. Social Preparation. The key for sustainable projects is an organized partner community. Social preparation of the community must first be undertaken to assess the needs of the communities. Social acceptability of plans and projects must be taken seriously before implementing projects. Community counterpart must be integrated into the projects to gain community ownership and ensure accountability.