University News

PUP Culminates Project Sigla: Education on Wheels Advocacy Campaign

Angelo Acedera, News, Communication Management Office

June 11, 2024 – The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Alumni Grants Scheme, held a Partner’s Meeting and Culminating Activity for Project Sigla: Education on Wheels Advocacy Campaign at Pandan Asian Cafe, Quezon City.

Project Sigla is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to promote the university’s Education on Wheels (EOW). Recently, the team conducted a research to assess the initial impact of EOW on learners, faculty members, and the administration. The research findings helped the team develop promotional materials and a full advocacy campaign for EOW, an equally innovative project of the university. This was then shared to potential partners, culminating in a partners’ meeting held on June 11.

Emy Ruth D. Gianan, head of Project Sigla, presented the assessment of the initial impact of Education on Wheels (EOW) on various groups:

• Learners
  • Sense of pride and confidence leads to higher number of opportunities taken. Because of the opportunities provided by EOW to the students, they had this renewed sense of fulfillment, which equipped them to have soft skills that is essential to the workplace.
  • Focused learning. Because they do not have to worry about their food and transportation on a day-to-day basis, they get to focus more on the topics at hand.
• Faculty members
  • Renewed passion for teaching and learning. While teachers are required to received additional industry practice to enhance their pedagogy, they tend to forget that they must also immerse with the community. EOW provides that experience which strengthens teachers’ passion as knowledge providers.
• Administration
  • Develop more innovative ways of delivering education. PUP has been known to be the “People’s University”, catering to the economically challenged students. While this has been evident for the past few years because of the University’s low tuition and enactment of the free tuition law, much is still to be done. EOW’s effectiveness prove that innovative ways can the students farther.
  • Look for more scholarship for students. This research has proven that wholistic approach to education is successful. It is important to increase our efforts in finding partners that support our advocacies in the field of education.

Rechell Cla-or, a 30-year-old cashier and mother of four, is a third-year learner under the Education on Wheels (EOW) program. She stated that EOW is an opportunity for her and others to improve their lives. Her perseverance to receive a college degree is driven by her desire to secure a decent job that can provide the life her children deserve, “hindi po ito pansarili lamang, kundi para sa kinabukasan ng aking mga anak. Gusto kong maging isang inspirasyon na hindi hadlang ang edad para matapos ko ang pag-aaral.”

(“This is not only for myself, but for the future of my children. I want to be an inspiration that age is not a barrier to finishing my education.”)

PUP President Manuel M. Muhi emphasized the importance of continued support in his Message of Gratitude to partners.

“Ako na po mismo ang humihingi ng inyong support sa pag-sustain ng operations ng program. Fuel, malaking tulong po yan. Books, school supplies, at uniform, ok din po. Pagkain at scholarships, importante po para mahikayat natin ang students na mag-stay sa school. Laptops, steno machines, actual equipment refurbished man po o brand new, big help na po yan sa ating students. Siyempre po wifi kailangan din. Ito po so far ang nakikita naming need ng bus. Tulungan niyo na rin po kami sa promotions dahil mas maraming supporters, mas ok po.”

(“I am personally asking for your support in sustaining the operations of the program. Fuel would be a great help. Books, school supplies, and uniforms are also okay. Food and scholarships are important to encourage students to stay in school. Laptops, steno machines, and actual equipment, whether refurbished or brand new, would be a big help to our students. Of course, we also need Wi-Fi. These are the needs we have identified for the bus so far. Please also help us with promotions because the more supporters we have, the better.”)

EOW initiatives align with PUP’s core values of a sense of service and excellence, committed to perform duties with an inherent desire to be of service to others, while aiming for outstanding performance in teaching, learning, research, and community engagements.

The project grant under the Australian Grants Scheme was provided on July 2023. It will end this June 2024, with the intent of utilizing the advocacy materials for sustained operations and promotions of the EOW project.

Every donation counts. Whether in cash or non-monetary educational materials such as books, school supplies, and uniforms. Your support helps learners reach their dreams. For donations and support, please contact us at commcenter@pup.edu.ph or sppo@pup.edu.ph.