University News

EMO organizes Project ASSESS

Elaine Carie A. Andres, News, Communication Management Office

The Extension Management Office (EMO) conducted its first Extension Capability Building Activity (ECBA) this year, titled “Project ASSESS – Advancing Sustainability and Standards in Extension through Systematic Impact Studies” on June 30 – July 2, 2025, at the Claro M. Recto Hall, PUP Main Campus. The three-day activity provided a venue for faculty and staff from various colleges and campuses to discuss the importance of impact studies in extension programs.

Extension Work in Higher Education: Why Impact Studies Matter
Extension work, alongside research and instruction, form the core pillar of higher education in the Philippines. So far, among these three, extension often lags in terms of recognition and systematic implementation. In response, our institution builds its efforts through its EMO to ensure that extension projects are not only implemented but also rigorously evaluated for their real-world impact.

On the first day of the activity, Dr. Anna Ruby P. Gapasin, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Development, emphasized that the university’s mission extends beyond classroom instruction and reminded the participants that they should undertake extension works for the benefit of their community partners. She said, “There are problems numbers cannot solve. Sabi ko, hindi. So ito na yun. Kayo yun. Kayo yung arm ng university para mag-multiply yung goods sa community.”

(“I said no. So this is it. That’s you. You are the arm of the university to multiply the goods in the community.”)

Director of the Extension Management Office, Dr. Rolan J. Malvar, highlighted that “extension is not just about launching projects or conducting trainings—it’s about changing lives.”

He noted that while many faculty members feel confident in designing and implementing projects, fewer have conducted formal impact studies to measure the effectiveness and long-term impact of their work.

The first resource speaker, Dr. Venarica B. Papa, a leading academic in community development from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, explained “Impact studies go beyond outputs and outcomes. They focus on the lived experiences of communities and ask whether the intervention truly improved lives, especially for the most marginalized.”

She cited some examples where well-intentioned projects failed to create meaningful change, such as repeated livelihood trainings that left communities with unused skills or resources because the interventions did not align with their actual needs.

A recurring theme throughout the activity was the need for participatory, people-centered approaches in both project implementation and impact assessment. “Nothing about us without us,” Dr. Papa reiterated, highlighting the importance of involving community members at every stage—from needs assessment to data interpretation. This approach not only ensures relevance but also empowers communities as active partners rather than passive beneficiaries.

The second resource speaker, Dr. Wilfredo B. Awitan, another expert in community development from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, shared practical frameworks and methodologies for conducting impact studies, including participatory rural appraisal, outcome mapping, and appreciative inquiry. He stressed that combining quantitative indicators (such as the number of trainings or beneficiaries) with qualitative narratives (stories of change, community reflections) provides a more holistic picture of impact.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Despite growing awareness, challenges remain. Many faculty and extension workers report lower confidence in statistical analysis and the use of advanced frameworks for impact assessment. There is also an ongoing need for structured training and peer mentoring to build these competencies.

Ethics emerged as a crucial concern. Dr. Papa mentioned that interventions intended to help, but those that may unintentionally perpetuate inequalities or fail to respect the community’s right to make decisions should be avoided.

“Development should be for the people, of the people, and by the people,” she said, urging practitioners to uphold dignity, amplify marginalized voices, and remain accountable not just to donors but to communities themselves.

Towards Building a Culture of Impact
The third resource speaker, Dr. Aquino M. Dela Peña, an Associate Professor from Batangas State University -TNEU, provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practical aspects of impact assessment in extension work. His insights underscored the need for systematic planning, rigorous data collection, participatory approaches, and ethical standards to ensure that extension initiatives lead to meaningful and measurable change in communities.

The resource speakers conducted a collaborative group work activity with the participants each day of the workshop. The activity not only deepened participants’ knowledge but also improved their ability to design, implement, and assess extension projects as a team. This ensures that extension initiatives are both practical and sustainable.

Call to Action
The activity concluded with a call to action: for universities to foster a culture where impact studies are integral to extension work, not as a compliance requirement, but as a genuine commitment to social transformation. As one participant reflected, “Community extension work is not just for promotion or publication—it must come from the heart, rooted in empathy and a deep understanding of the communities we serve”.

As higher education institutions continue to expand their extension initiatives, vigorous and participatory impact studies will be key to ensuring that these efforts lead to lasting, meaningful change across Philippine society.

Patuloy na Serbisyo , Patuloy na Paglilingkod : Mula Sa Iyo, Para sa Bayan
Our University’s ongoing commitment toward extension excellence is anchored in our belief that true education goes beyond the classroom. Guided by the insights shared during the activity, we are reminded that effective extension work must be participatory, ethical, and impact-driven. It is not just about reaching communities—it is about walking with them, listening to their voices, and ensuring that our interventions lead to lasting and inclusive change.

As we move forward, we reaffirm our identity as Iskolar ng bayan: committed, compassionate, and socially responsive. In every extension endeavor, let us carry the spirit of “mula sa’yo, para sa bayan”—for it is in our service that education finds its highest purpose, and it is through our collective actions that true national development begins.

_{(Note: English translation generated from AI.)}