BPSU RJ Vol 3, Issue 1.pdf

8/14/2019 BPSU RJ Vol 3, Issue 1.pdf

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ISSN 2012-4678

CONTENTS

HARNESSING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN PROVIDING POST HARVEST FACILITIES (PHASE I:

FISH DRYING FACILITIE S) Eduardo S. Tinao, et al

1

GRADUATE TRACER STUDY FOR THEBACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM

Dominic D. Balana

17

GRADUATE TRACER STUDY (GTS) FOR BACHELOR OFSCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING (BSCE)

PROGRAM, AY 2002-2008 Jonathan C. Muoz

31

GRADUATE TRACER STUDY OF THE BACHELOR OFSCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM,

AY 2002-2008Guillermo O. Lacson

43

GRADUATE TRACER STUDY OF THE BACHELOR OFSCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Cornelio S. Caracas & Gerald S. Robles

65

Volume 3 Issue No. 1 January - June 2011

The Research and Development OfficeBataan Peninsula State University

City of Balanga, 2100 BataanPHILIPPINES


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Volume 3, Issue No. 1 January-June 2011

The BPSU Research Journal,published semi-annually, is theofficial research publication of

the Research and DevelopmentOffice of the Bataan PeninsulaState University, City ofBalanga, 2100 Bataan,PHILIPPINES.

This publishes anddisseminates faculty membersresearch outputs and findings

under the four research thrustsof the University namely:agriculture, engineering andtechnology, health and relateddiscipline, and social andbehavioral sciences.

ISSN 2012-4678Published and Printed by

The Research andDevelopment Office

Bataan Peninsula State UniversityCity of Balanga, 2100 BataanPHILIPPINES

J UNE , 2011

Editorial Board

Gregorio J. Rodis, Ph. D.Vice President for Research Extension

and Entrepreneurial Services

Arlene D. IbaezDirector, Research & Development

Jonathan E. LacayangaChairperson, R&D Abucay Campus

Wilma B. TumaliuanChairperson, R&D Balanga Campus

Perla B. Estrella, Ed. D.Chairperson, R&D Dinalupihan Campus

Felicisima E. Tungol, Ed. D.Chairperson, R&D Orani Campus

Editorial Staff

Reynan P. CalderonScience Research Specialist II

Consuelo G. CruzAssistant Professor II, RDO Staff

Lorna R. RoldanInstructor I. RDO Staff

Ria-Anne L. DizonUniversity Research Associate

Nelissa B. CuiAdministrative Aide III

Andrea O. de JesusAdministrative Aide III


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The Research and Development Office

Bataan Peninsula State UniversityCity of Balanga, 2100 Bataan

PHILIPPINES


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HARNESSING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN PROVIDING POST HARVEST FACILITIES

(PHASE I: FISH DRYING FACILITIES) 1 Eduardo S. Tinao 2 , Alfredo D. Valentos 3 , Eugene V. Vega 3 ,

Reynan P. Calderon 4 , Arlene D. Ibaez 5 , Adriano B. Singian 6 , Julieta Lapridad J. Reyes 7

ABSTRACT

Post harvest technology is a vital component of agriculturaland sheries modernization as it contributes to the improvement ofthe quality of products and thereby increases the countrys capacityfor global competitiveness. Indeed, this is a means for increasing theeconomic values of the products by the small primary producers as wellas a mechanism for responding to the needs of the consumers. To theextent, feasible, drying and other post harvest/processing and similaractivities could serve as additional income generating opportunities forsmall households. Thus, the utilization of renewable sources of energysuch as wind and solar energy were considered in the fabrication of the

sh drying facility. Apparently, the equipment is a movable type of dryer with eight

(8) stacks at 250 kg/stack and therefore with a capacity of 2000 kgsof fresh sh for drying ( mbriated sardines, Indian sardines, mullet).Fabrication of the drying facility was carried out for a period of six(6) months which included the following activities: construction ofstructural support, installation of wind generator, construction of geartransmission and motor support, installation of solar panels, construction

of roof trusses with wire mesh for glass roof protection and periodic

1 Paper presented in CLIERDECs 10th Regional R&D Symposium held on December 9,2010 at Baliuag University, Baliuag, Bulacan. A project in collaboration with Don

Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU)2 Study Leader, Instructor III, BPSU 3 Member, Instructor I, BPSU 4 Member, Science REsearch Specialist I, BPSU

5 Member, R&D Director, BPSU 6 Member, DHVTSU 7 Member, R&D Director, DHVTSU


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The BPSU Research Journal

testing of component parts to determine ef ciency and identify errors inconstruction, installation and assembly of parts. Errors identi ed duringtesting were corrected to improve technical and production ef ciency ofthe drying facility.

With this drying facility, the time allotted for drying was reducedto eight (8) hours as compared to the traditional method which wouldtake 16-18 hours or two days. Aside from time, space or land devotedfor sun drying was reduced considering that there will be eight (8) stacksfor each equipment which is the number of stacks used in the traditionalmethod. This means that there will be eight times as many sh that canbe dried using the same space.

Aside from the production ef ciency, production effectivenesswas also improved because drying can be done during the rainy season.Further, the equipment will then enhance the quality of drying consideringthat in the traditional sun drying, different insects may come at any timeduring the process. Thus, the dried products are hygienic compared tothe traditional dried sh.

Finally, the facility utilized two types of renewable energy sources;

these are solar and wind power which merely implies that it could havelow maintenance costs or relatively low variable costs compared todiesel or gas-powered sh drying machines or facility.


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INTRODUCTION

Post-harvest technology is an important entry point, and avital component of agricultural and sheries modernization. It savessociety from incurring unwarranted losses in agricultural and sheriescommodities produced, particularly food, thus, helps in the achievementof food security objectives. It enhances/improves product quality,hence, increases the countrys capacity to compete in the emergingglobalized economy.

Serving as a vital link between the producers and consumers,it strategically provides a window of opportunity for increased value-adding activities by small primary producers, as well as, the mechanismfor responding to the needs of the general consuming public. Tothe extent, feasible drying, other postharvest/processing and similaractivities could serve as additional income-generating opportunities forsmall households who up to this day, are among the poorest membersof society. On the demand side, consumers demand for higher qualityproducts could be responded to more effectively through investments inpost-production technologies.

Because of the forward and backward linkages that exist amongdifferent sectors in the post-production chain, the multiplier effects of awide range of policies directed at post-harvest technology are expectedto be substantial. Similarly, even highly speci ed policies that haveimpact on post-harvest technology also have far-reaching implicationsto broad/national concerns. For example, capital-intensive technologieswill affect employment, wages (therefore, income distribution), andwomen who are currently engaged in post-production activities. Thus,the role of policies on post-production technologies could not be

overemphasized.

In May of 1999, Post-harvest Policy Workshop/Conference washeld in Subic, Olongapo City and some of the major points raised,together with their corresponding implications were

1. Should and in what manner could government intervene in theprovision of post harvest facilities?

The virtues of the market in allocating investment ows are


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The common thread that ties the above issues together is thequestion on the speci c role that the government plays in the promotionof post-harvest technology. In general, the main objective of this studywas to determine whether or not it would make economic sense forgovernment to intervene in the provision of drying services for sh. Itaimed to provide valuable information in policy decisions that wouldsupport the current efforts to modernize Philippine agriculture amidstthe emerging global economic environment where competitiveness andef ciency are the call of the times. It would also provide insights on therole of post-harvest technology in the national goals of food security andpoverty alleviation.

Consequently, in this light, two State Colleges and Universities(SUCs), Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) and Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades (DHVCAT) engaged in thedevelopment of post-harvest facilities, speci cally drying for sh whichis not only mechanical but will also harness non-renewable resources:solar and wind energy.

OBJECTIVES

The general objective of this program was to harness renewableenergy sources in providing post-harvest facilities.

The speci c objectives of this program were as follows:

a) Develop and fabricate sh drying facilities;b) Describe the common sh drying practices;c) Estimate the economic bene ts that this drying facilities would

created) Undertake social bene t-cost analysis of providing sh drying

services


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METHODOLOGY

The technical framework of the proposed sh dryer whichis shown in the operation block diagram below (Figure 1) states theharnessing of renewable energy sources for the energy requirementsof sh drying. Figure 2 on the other hand shows the sh drying facility.The team consisting of researchers from the Bataan Peninsula StateUniversity (BPSU) and the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts andTrade (DHVCAT) made an ocular visit to the University of the PhilippinesLos Baos (UPLB), Don Mariano Marcos State University (DMMSU), andthe Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) to examinetheir sh drying equipments. As a result, it was found out that thesedrying equipments have the capacity ranging from 35 kilograms to 200kilograms.

After the ocular visit, the team worked collaboratively on the rotarytray testing, construction of tower for wind generation, construction ofstructural support for the rotary tray, miniature trial for the fan of thewind generator blade, and the fabrication of wind generator fan blademade of stainless steel. Afterwards, the team assembled the tower inthe site, then placed the wind generator blade on the top of the tower,

and then painted the tower. After installing the equipment to the sitechosen, testing was done to the wind generator. Similarly, a tray revisionwas done, making it double or two (2) stacks type. In addition, the gearwas positioned to the rotary tray and the roof trusses were shafted andfabricated.

A month after, the team had decided to revise the gear support,put up the gear tensioner between the transmission and the trayshafting gear, loaded the fabricated door, and then developed the wind

speed tester. Further, after testing, the wind generator blades weredismantled so that the fan radius can be revised; thus, the bambootray was also resized to t in the rotary tray holder. Afterwards, theroof trusses tray was constructed with 2 wire mesh for the glass roofprotection, and so with the stainless steel ooring with elevation to thecenter. Finally, positioning and aligning of blower fan, covering the fanhousing support with stainless steel plate, putting a plywood cover tothe wind generator fan blade to increase fan rotation, double walling ofblock I using stainless plate and styrofoam cork and revision of loadingdoor making it smaller in width were done.


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Figure 1. Operational Block Diagram.

Figure 2. Diagram of Fish Dryer


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Figure 3. Fabricated Fish Drying Facility.

Figure 3 shows the nished sh drying facility. Finished meansthat the facility is already established, in good running condition and isready for use.


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Production Aspects

The proposed sh drying equipment/facility is a movable typeof dryer with an eight (8) stacks at 250 kg per stack, therefore with acapacity of 2000 kg of fresh sh for drying ( mbriated sardines, Indiansardines, and mullet). Table 1 and gures below show the volume ofoperation per batch of individual engaged in drying activities.

Table 1. Average Volume of Fish Dried

Respondents Average Volume perBatch (in kgs) Average Number of

Batches1 1200-2000 3x a week 2 1200-1800 2x a week 3 1200-1500 3x a week 4 1300-2000 3x a week

It is estimated that there will be a decrease in time allottedfor drying by more than 50 % if this equipment will be used, with anestimate of eight (8) hours, considering that the traditional methodsrequire 16-18 hours or 2 days. Aside from time, space or land devotedfor sun drying will be reduced considering that there will be eight (8)stacks for each equipment which is the number of stacks increasedusing traditional technology, meaning there will be eight times as many

sh that can be dried using the same space. And if there will be noadditional sh, therefore space will be reduced by eight times also.

Aside from the production ef ciency, production effectiveness willalso be improved because drying can be done even during rainy season.

Another important consideration in this equipment/facility is thatit surely enhances quality of drying considering the method vis--visthe traditional sun drying where different insects may come in at anytime to the products. Meaning, this product is hygienic compared to thetraditional method of sh drying.

In addition to that, the facility utilizes two of non-renewableenergy sources, namely: solar and wind power which merely implies

that it could have low maintenance costs or relatively low variable


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costs compared to diesel or gas-powered sh drying machines orfacility.

Findings showed thatthere are only three towns/municipalities in Bataan that areengaged in sh drying activities;they are Balanga, Orion, Limay.Some municipalities, on theother hand, are engaged in

sh drying activities on a non-regular basis, which simply means that

they engage only in times when there are huge sh catch of mbriatedsardines, Indian sardines, and mullet shes that are commonly usedfor sh drying.

And from among those whoare engaged in sh drying on a fulltime basis, drying equipments andfacility are necessary only if it canafford to hold as many as they are

drying per batch that is around2,000 kilograms of sh. Otherwise,the question will be what willhappen to the other sh catchthat was not machine dried? The

answer is very simple, it will be traditionally dried. Therefore, there willonly be few hygienically dried sh that will be available in the market.

Aside from the fact, that willingness to use and own the sh dryingequipment/facility that is below their current capacity is closed to nil ornear to impossible.

But with this facility, it can hold as much as 2,000 kilogramsper batch. Initial run showed that the range of drying is at 8 hours to10 hours which in fact did not let go of the idea that drying reducedfrom 2 days to 1 day. It goes without saying that the operator cannow double the current capacity of sh drying. Labor requirements willalso be reduced from four to only two, considering the weight of laborrequirements.


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Table 2 below shows manpower requirements of the facilityoperated by the owner while Table 3 shows the quarterly expenses andsales. Table 4, on the other hand shows the annual expenses and salesbased on July 2008 prices.

Table 2. Manpower Requirements

Position No. of Personnel Salary/Month (in Pesos)Helper 2 10,000Total 2 10,000

Table 3. Estimated Quarterly Expenses and Sales

ItemProduction(Fresh, in

kg)Total Costs

Production(Dried, in kg)

Total Sales

Fish Species

Fimbriated sardines(tunsoy) 67,500.00 2,749,950 30,375 3,037,500

Indian sardines(tamban) 9,000.00 384,210 4,050 405,000

Mullet (kapak) 13,500.00 654,750 6,075 668,250

Total 90,000.00 3,788,910 40,500 4,110,750

Assumption:1. operating at full capacity of 250 kg per stack of 8 stacks2. tunsoy, tamban and kapak at port prices of 40.74/kg, 42.69/kg and 48.50/kg,

respectively3. recovery rate of 45 percent

4. 45 days of operation for the 90 day period, provision for rainy season andundersupply of sh5. tunsoy, tamban and kapak at wholesale prices of P100.00/kg, P100/kg and

P110/kg., respectively6. based on BAS quarterly production data of 146.49MT, 18.68MT and 48.5 for

tunsoy, tamban and kapak, respectively7. dried sh production at 1500, 200 and 300 for tunsoy, tamban and kapak,

respectively(Source of primary data: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics)


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Table 4. Estimated Annual Expenses and Sales of Dried Fish

Item Expenses Sales Income perQuarter Net Income

Fish dryer

1st Quarter 3,788,910 4,110,750 291,840 291,840

Labor 30,000

2nd Quarter 3,788,910 4,110,750 291,840 583,680

Labor 30,000

3rd Quarter 3,788,910 4,110,750 291,840 875,520Labor 30,000

4th Quarter 3,788,910 4,110,750 271,840 1,147,360

Labor 50,000

Total 15,295,640 16,443,000 1,147,360 1,147,360

Notes:1. Expenses and sales are based on Table 2

2. Labor cost is based on Table 13. 4th quarter labor cost includes 13th month pay

Social Acceptability

There are around 150 sherfolks involved in drying activities inthe province of Bataan based on BAS Reports, with an average quarterlyproduction of 146.49MT, 18.68MT and 48.5 for tunsoy, tamban andkapak, respectively (BAS Bataan, 2007).

All of these sherfolks are engaged in sh drying in a traditionalmanner that is through a two-day or 16-18 hours of sun-drying. Andcommon among these sherfolks is its volume of operations per batchof drying which ranges from 1,000 kilograms to 2,000 kilograms.Simultaneously this will be dried on the following day after being soakedinto water and salt. However, there would be a problem if some of thebatches were left, chances will be, a decrease in the supply which will

be delivered on speci c time to its dealers, and differentiated productsin terms of saltiness will be the result of prolonged soaking to the salt


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and water. In this light, any method of drying outside of their traditionalmethod will surely be unacceptable.

Hence, to address the issue, DOST has offered its multi-purposedrying equipments that can hold up to 200 kilograms of sh or cropsto some of the individuals doing sh drying activities. Unfortunately,it was rejected by those people engaged in drying activities primarilyfor the reason mentioned above. But given the current speci cationand capacity of the CHED Funded Project Fish Drying Facility which willbe called BPSU-DHVCAT Solar and Wind Powered Fish Drier, it seemsthat they are receptive in looking for possibilities or simply testing theequipment. Essentially for one reason and that is to simultaneously dry

their products at the least possible time. Yet, by all means they will notonly test it, but also prove its ef ciency; hence they will be very muchwilling to use it.

The largest drying area which uses lands in Bataan is located inthe Puerto Rivas in Balanga City Bataan wherein the volume in singlebatch of drying ranges from 1,200 kilograms to 2,000 kilograms, thusstretching the area to at least three shorelines of the three adjacentbarangays of Puerto Rivas Ibaba, Puerto Rivas Itaas and Tortugas.

Nevertheless, it has been a manifestation that they use more land areaswhich is approximately 1,000 square meters for every 2,000 kilograms.On the other hand, sherfolks from Orion have practiced other dryingmethods and that is - they put their bamboo drying equipment atop ofthe sea water near the sea shores which then also occupies lots of area.

However, in contrast to all of these, the BPSU-DHVCAT Solar andWind Powered Fish Drier will only need less than 100 square meters of lotto be used in the whole drying process. An indication that the additional100 could be used for the warehousing of dried sh which could sumup to just 200 square meters. Absolutely, these are the factors thatcontributed to the project which could be of help to make the projectsocially acceptable: the ef ciency of the equipment and facility in termsof hours that can be saved in drying activities, and the lesser use ofland area. And thus, the land area that was spared from drying activitiescould be used in a more pro table and economical uses.


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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

It is the intention of this project to intervene two grounds; rstly,to address the issue of competitiveness, and lastly, address the issueon continuing increase in non-renewable energy sources by optimizingthe use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Surely,increasing competitiveness is the battle cry of new global order. And withthe countrys commitment to World Trade Organization, it is inevitableto increase the ef ciency and effectiveness to be more competitive.

Another issue coupled with these two is the increasing health-relatedawareness of products, especially food products.

In line with this, the project known as the sh drying facilitywas able to reduce the time of drying from 18 hours to 8 hours, thus,reducing the time ef ciency by more than 50%. Likewise, if the spaceallotment for traditional drying requires around 1,000 square meters,this ( sh drier) facility will only require 100 square meters for the facilitywith the additional 100 square meters for the warehousing of dried sh.Consequently, there is at least 800 square meters reduction from thetraditional system to the new system using the BPSU-DHVCAT Wind andSolar Powered Fish Drying Facility.

In addition to this increasing ef ciency, the facility is hygienicconsidering that it is covered unlike the traditional method of drying.Particularly, there will be a uniform drying and hygienic method which isrequired if the products mean to penetrate the global market. And thisfacility could address these concerns. Another concern is the continuingeffort to harness the renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

Although the traditional method requires the use of renewable energysources such as the sun, it restricts to sun alone. The problem then

would be the drying during rainy season and at night when the sun isout. Here, the facility addresses the issue by providing wind power andstored energy.

Another worldwide view also helps this facility through thecommitment in using renewable energy source as alternative energysource. More often than not, machineries and mechanical equipmentrequired non-renewable sources of energy such as fuel and oil, with thisfacility, energy sources will not be a problem anymore.


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In short, the facility ( sh drier) will help increase productioncompetitiveness while at the same time the equipment is said to beenvironment-friendly. Finally, the project was able to showcase Filipinoingenuity without jeopardizing ef ciency, effectiveness and environment-friendly.

However, although there is available technology and facility fordrying, the problem lies on the accessibility of the drying facility. Evenif there is an available facility but cannot be afforded by users, chanceswill be - less will take it even if this is designed for the bene ts of all.

In this case, there could be a failure of the market, considering

that there is available technology and facility and needed by the usersbut is not affordable and is not yet in use. And in times when there is amarket failure, this is where the role of the government is necessary that is to intervene in the market system. Otherwise, most of the dryingactivities will be done on traditional method, and the technology willonly be used by one or two individuals, leaving the technology unusedby most of its possible users. Hence, it is then necessary to look wherethe government could extend its intervention. In as far as this projectis concern, it could be the government that needs to produce more of

this kind of facility and provide users fee for this technology to be putin used.


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REFERENCES

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. (2007). Province of Bataan. BalangaCity.

Barker, Randolph, R. Herdt, & B. Rose. (1985). The Rice Economy of Asia.

Bulaong, Manolito et. al. Grains Drying in Asia. ACIAR ProceedingsNo. 71, FAO Regional Of ce for Asia and the Paci c, Bangkok,

Thailand 17-20, October, 1995.Cabanilla, L., M. Paunlagui & R. Calderon. (2002). Economic Analysis of

Alternative Policy Options for Improving Grain Drying. Bureau ofPostharvest Research and Extension. Department of Agriculture.

Nepomuceno, Dolora N. (1994). Improving the Status of DisadvantagedWoman in Small-Scale Fishing Communities of Capiz andPangasinan. Manila, Philippines. FAO.

Offemaria, Rodel G. (2006). Dried Fish, Fresh Opportunities.


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GRADUATE TRACER STUDY FOR THEBACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE

PROGRAM 1 Dominic D. Balana 2

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to trace and determine the employment statusof the BS Architecture Graduates of Bataan Peninsula State University(BPSU) from 2004 to 2008. Speci cally, it was conducted to assess

the viability of the architecture program of BPSU in answer to the fastchanging needs of the industrial world. Out of 110 graduates 71 werechosen as samples using the Slovins formula and the convenient samplingtechnique to facilitate and hasten the data gathering procedures. Astandardized questionnaire consisting of four (4) parts, namely: generalinformation, educational background, training/ advanced studiestaken after college, and employment status, that was provided by theCommission on Higher Education (CHED), was disseminated to therespondents. Data collected were subjected for statistical treatmentusing simple statistical analysis.

The ndings of the study showed that majority of the respondentswere male and that 18 % of them took and passed the ArchitectureLicensure Examination. In addition, 86 % of the respondents arepresently employed, either permanent or contractual. Apparently, fromthe data it can be gleaned that most of the employed graduates, about72 %, are employed based on their technical knowledge and capabilitiesin the eld of Architecture, and most of the employed graduates havetrade and related works. And when asked on the skills and competenciesfound most useful on their rst job, 24 % of the respondents markedcommunication skills as the rst; critical thinking was ranked secondwith 19 % respondents; and human relations as the third with 18 %.

Based on the ndings, the following recommendations were

1 Paper presented in the 8th BPSU R&D In-House Review held on November 24, 2010 at BPSU main Campus, City of Balanga, Bataan.

2 Proponent, Instructor I


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drawn: the graduates should be supported by the university through acomprehensive program of internship/apprenticeship to have an intensetraining on architectural jobs; the university must establish linkages withmore architectural and construction rms that need to be supported withMemorandum of Agreement (MOA) so that graduates could have a biggeropportunity to have job at once. Additionally, universities architectureprograms should include ladderized courses on drafting and design thatwill prepare students before entering bachelor degree. Likewise, it mustbe a two-year course offering with certi cate. Moreover, researchersshould make an in-depth study on the demands of the market whenit comes to architecture so that state universities and colleges witharchitecture programs could modify the curriculum as an assurance thatgraduates skills and capabilities will suit the needs of the companies.


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RATIONALE

There has always been a rift between architectural education andarchitectural practice. And this separation between architecture schoolsand architecture rms has caused the students to have to work harderto adapt to their new work environment. The architecture schoolshave told the students that they will get more education in the eld;while architecture rms have told intern architects that architecture islearned at school. This discrepancy between the two institutions havecause a gap causing the students to not have the appropriate amountof education and leave intern architects without the latest news andtechnologies.

Hence, the start of ones architectural career starts with a goodfoundation of architectural education. And most students who go toschool to become an architect start by getting their undergraduatedegree in architecture. This degree is very general knowledge of designand drawing of architecture. Similarly, the rst few years of study alsoencompass the history and technique of architecture. As the studentbecomes more and more knowledgeable about architecture, the studentbecomes more and more aware of what type of architecture they

would rather work on. The undergraduate degree alone is not enougheducation for an architecture student to sit through the ArchitecturalRegistration Exam.

On the other hand, while an architecture student is completingtheir undergraduate education, they are required to do internships(two years mandatory). In fact, these internships are the schools wayof introducing the business side of architecture in the architectureprogram. These internships at architecture rms usually help students

become aware that there is more to architecture than just the drawingof buildings. Most students will learn that in studios at school designingand drawing are the major parts of an architectural education. But,outside of school, architectural designers spend less than half of theirtime drawing and most of the time dealing with client relations. Atarchitecture rms, interns will learn that architectural education is morethan just the design of a building and encompasses the business side ofarchitecture as well.

In fact, education is the most important mechanism for the


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empowerment of people for their socio-economic, political andtechnological development. And Bataan Peninsula State University(BPSU), the sole university in the province of Bataan, caters to thisneed of the people in order to produce globally competitive graduatesthat could adapt to the fastchanging phase and trend of the globalmarket. BPSU has satellite campuses located in Balanga City, Back,

Abucay, Orani and Dinalupihan, with four-fold functions of instruction,research, extension and production. Its main campus which can befound in the Capitol Compound of Balanga City, Bataan offers coursesin engineering and architecture. In fact, BPSU had already producedgraduates in engineering and architecture who made it in the licensureexamination. Hence, to have a pro le of these graduates and to knowtheir employment status, a graduate tracer study is needed.

As discussed in the CHED-HEDP Graduate Tracer Study TrainingProgram held on May 23-24, 2000 in Calamba Laguna, the GraduateTracer Study (GTS) is designed to produce data that will be used byinstitutional and national policy makers. Thus, the data and results ofthis program can help Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in developingtheir own curricular that is according to the present needs of its students.Likewise, this would help in deciding program offerings, staf ng patterns,

and even in faculty development. Additionally, in national level, policymakers can be guided by GTS results in deciding on budget priorities, ondeveloping assistance programs that can be developed for HEIs, and onredirecting the course of higher education among others.

Indeed, aside from the fact that HEIs Graduate Tracer Study isone of the requirements of CHED for accreditation, the ArchitecturalDepartment of the College of Engineering and Architecture cannot denythat GTS is one speci c program that must be enhanced to further

strengthen the students capabilities in order for them to become moreglobally competitive. Similarly, they can easily adopt with the abruptchanges of the socio-economic environment that is brought about bythe higher standards of competition, privatization, and globalization.Consequently, the Architectural Department should properly monitor allits BS Architecture graduates, so as to know the changes that must beadapted to its current curriculum for a more quality and effective higherlearning standards.


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OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at tracing the whereabouts of the architecturegraduates of Bataan Peninsula State University from 2004 to 2008.

Speci cally, it aimed to:

1. Determine the current employment status to be able to identify thenumber of employed, unemployed, and underemployed architecturegraduates from the said generation.

2. Determine if the graduates are employed properly according to theireld of specialization / profession or not.

3. Generate data that may help in establishing linkage and strengthen thedepartments apprenticeship program with respect to their employingcompany.

4. Assess the viability of the current Architecture Department of the BPSU-CEA in catering the needs of our society.

METHODOLOGY

Primary data were gathered through a standard structuredGTS questionnaires provided by the Commission on Higher Education(CHED). The survey questionnaire contained data which were relevant tothe graduates such as, personal data, educational background, trainingand advanced studies taken after college, and employment status. Onthe other hand, prior to the survey, the address of the graduates weretaken from the BPSUs registrar. The population for this study includedall the graduates of Architecture degree in BPSU main campus whocompleted their degrees in the following academic years; 2003-2004,2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 with the total of 110graduates. Out of 110, 71 were used as samples. Sample respondentswere determined using the standard formula provided by CHED whichis as follows:


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Where:

m = is the number of samplesN = total number of populations

e = standard of errors (in this case, CHED is recommending to use5% or .05, but for the completion of these study the groupsets a xed error of 7%)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1. Pro le of the Respondents According to Genderand Civil Status

Gender Frequency (f) Percentage (%)

Male 33 47

Female 28 39

No answer 10 14

Total 71 100

Civil Status

Single 60 86

Married 11 16

Separated 0 0

Single Parent 0 0

Widow orWidower

0 0

Total 71 100

Table 1 presents the gender and civil status of the respondents. As can be seen from the table, majority of the respondents were maleand single.

Table 2 shows the professional skills possessed by therespondents. From the table, it is clearly seen that 33 out of 71 or37 % are equipped with computer literacy, know AutoCAD, 3d Max,2D drafting, Sketch-up, Photoshop, V-ray, Corel draw, Autodesk Viz, 3D

rendering and MS Of ce. From the result, it can be assumed that these


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skills played pivotal role in their employment.

Table 2. Professional Skills of the Respondents

Professional Skills Frequency (f) Percentage (%) Architectural Design 12 14

Manual Drafting, Drafting 15 17

Computer Literate: AutoCAD,3D Max, 2D Drafting, Sketch-Up, Photoshop, V-Ray,Corel Draw, Autodesk Viz, 3DRendering, MS Of ce

33 37

Yacht Design, Ship Building 1 1

Design Analysis 2 2

Cost Estimating 1 1

Document Control 1 1

Project Coordination 3 3

Architect 1 1

No answer 20 23

Total 100

Figure 1. Professional Licensure Examination

Figure 1 presents the number of respondents who passed the

licensure examination for Architecture. As can be seen, only 18 % ofthe respondents took and passed the Architecture Board Examination.Hence, the percentage covered those Architecture graduates who had


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reached above the yearly national passing rate in the examination of Architecture.

Table 3. Reasons for Taking the Course, Pursuing the Degree, forUndergraduate and Graduate Level

Reasons Frequency(f)Percentage

(%)

Good grades in subject area 19 16

Good grades in high school 16 13

In uence of parents and relatives 11 9

Strong passion for the profession 9 8

Prospect for immediate employment 9 8Prospect of career advancement 9 8

Prospect of attractive compensation 7 6

Status or prestige of the profession 7 6

Affordability for the family 5 4

Availability of course offering in choseninstitution

4 3

No particular choice or no better idea 3 2

Other reasons 3 2

No Answer 18 15

Total 100

Table 3 presents the reasons of why the respondents preferredto take up or even pursue the degree leading to architecture. Based onthe respondents answers, most of them or 16 % chose good gradesin subject area as their reason in pursuing the BSAR degree; 13 %answered good grades in high school; and only 9 % marked in uenceof parents and relatives as the main reason. However, as can be seenfrom the table there were few respondents who chose not to identifyany reason in pursuing the course.


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Table 4. Employment Status of the RespondentsItem Frequency (f) Percentage (%)

Never Employed

No 6 9 Yes 57 80

No Answer 8 11

Total 71 100

Figure 2. Employment Status of the Respondents

Table 4 and Figure 2 show the employment status of therespondents. Based on the data shown on the table and gure, majorityof the respondents, speci cally 80 %, are presently employed wherein45 % have regular or permanent status, 41 % are contractual, and2 % are self-employed as shown in Figure 3. Evidently, many of thegraduates are still in contractual or temporary basis even if the trace backperiod is already four years wherein possibilities of permanency can be

applied. It can then be assumed that it is because of the apprenticeshipprogram of Architecture students, wherein they should acquire theirtwo years experience before they take the board examination. And inthis case, it is not considered as a regular job because it falls under theapprenticeship program.

On the other hand , with regards to the nature of the job of therespondents, most of them, 47 or 66 % were employed on trades andrelated works, 15 or 21 % had special occupation, 2 or 3 % as clerk ,and only 1 or 1 % as technicians and associate professionals as shownin Table 6.


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Figure 3. Present Employment Status

Table 6. Occupation of Employed Respondents

Occupation Frequency(f)Percentage

(%)

Of cials of Government and Special-Interest Organizations, CorporateExecutives, Managers, ManagingProprietors and Supervisors

Professionals

Technicians and Associate Professionals 1 1

Clerks 2 3

Service Workers and Shop and MarketSales Workers

Farmers, Forestry Workers and Fishermen

Trades and Related Workers 47 66

Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers

Laborers and Unskilled Workers

Special Occupation 15 21

No Answer 6 9

Total 71 100

No Answer 18 15

Total 100


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Table 7 shown below presents the classi cation of the companyor organization wherein the respondents have been hired. As can beseen majority, that is 47 or 66 % of the graduates are working ina construction rm, 15 or 21 % have special occupation, and 3 or 4% in manufacturing, transport, storage and communication, and othercommunity, social and personal service activities. While only 1 % has

job relating to electricity, gas and water supply and even wholesale andretail trade and the like.

Furthermore, as can be gleaned, majority of the respondentsare in construction industry which perhaps dictated by the technicalknowledge of the graduates in terms of design and construction

Table 7. Classi cation of Company /OrganizationClassi cation of Company or

OrganizationNumber of

Respondents Percentage

Manufacturing 3 4

Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 1 1

Construction 47 66

Wholesale and Retail Trade; repair of

motor vehicles, motorcycles and personaland household goods 1 1

Transport, Storage and Communication 3 4

Other Community, Social and PersonalService Activities 3 4

No Answer 14 20

Total 71 100

Table 8 below reveals that 78 % of the respondents said that their job was directly related to their eld of study, and only 9 % said that itwas not relevant to their eld of study.

On the other hand Table 9 presents the skills or competenciesfound most useful in the respondents rst job. And as can be seen fromthe table, 22 % said that communication skills is useful, followed bycritical thinking skills with 18 %, and human relations skills as the third

with 17 %.


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Table 8. Relevance of the Job to the Course Completed in College

Relevance of the Job to Course Frequency(f)Percentage

(%)

Yes 55 78

No 6 9

No Answer 10 13

Total 71 100

Table 9. Skills or Competencies Found Most Useful in the First Job

Skills or Competencies Frequency(f)Percentage

(%)

Communication skills 34 22

Human relations skills 26 17

Entrepreneurship skills 7 5

Information technology skills 21 14

Problem-solving skills 19 12

Critical thinking skills 27 18Other skills 8 5

No Answer 11 7

Total 100

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the ndings drawn from the data, the followingconclusions were arrived at:

Out of 71 respondents, 47 % were male and only 39 % werefemale. However, based on the ndings, only 18 % took and passedthe professional examination for architect. Moreover, majority of therespondents or 80 % are presently employed wherein 45 % of them arehired on a regular or permanent basis, 41 % are contractual, and 2 %are self-employed. In addition, most of the employed graduates were


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found out to have jobs related to the elds of their study, speci callytrades and related works since they are working in a construction rm.

Apparently, it can be assumed that they have been hired becauseof the technical knowledge of the graduates in terms of design andconstruction.

On the other hand it was found out that communication skillswas useful on their jobs, followed by critical thinking skills and then byhuman relations skills. Likewise, the ndings revealed that the Intern(Apprenticeship) Development Program has a very structured system totransform students into licensed professionals. Thus, this program wasfound to be bene cial to the architecture graduates of Bataan Peninsula

State University and was assumed to be one reason of why they passedin the professional board exam.

RECOMMENDATIONS

On the basis of the ndings of this study and from the conclusiondrawn, the following recommendations are posed:

1. Evidently, the architecture graduates can easily land their jobs inone to six through walk-in applications and recommendations, buthaving this situation does not mean that there will be no change.In fact, change will be seemingly evident because of the increasein competition in schools and rms. With the expected change, thegraduates need support from the university having a comprehensiveprogram of internship/apprenticeship. Similarly, the university mustestablish linkages with architectural and construction rms which

need to be supported with Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) toassure that architecture graduates will have a bigger opportunity tobe hired after graduation.

2. Universities architecture program should introduce ladderized coursesthat will prepare students before entering bachelor degree. It intendsto increase enrollment and minimize dropouts on the bachelorsdegree to ensure that there will be an increase in the number ofgraduates and board exam passers. Such ladderized course should

include basic techniques in drafting and design making the students


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more aware of the course that will allow them to take early decisionbefore their entry to the bachelor degree of Architecture. The coursemust be a two-year course offering, giving them certi cates that thestudents can use to nd jobs if they will not pursue their bachelorsdegree thus helping poor families to give a bachelor education totheir children, allowing their children to work while studying thedegree. Sample courses maybe AT-GT, Architecture Technologyand Graphics Technology. Offering these courses will then help theuniversity improve its education in the eld of Architecture creating aglobally competitive Architecture graduates.

3. Researchers who intend to make another study similar to this shouldconduct an intense study on the greatest demand of the marketwhen it comes to architecture so that state colleges and universitiesoffering the course could enhance and modify their curriculum toensure that graduates will suit the needs of the companies.

REFERENCES

Commission on Higher Education. (2006). Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.ched.gov.ph/statistics/index.html.

Debono, M., Debono, A. & Caruana, N. (2005). Career outcomes of graduates2004: A career guidance tool. Malta: Euroguidance.

National Statistics Coordination Board. (2006). Labor and employment. Retrievedfrom http://www.nscb.gov.ph/secstat/d_labor.asp.

Schomburg, H. (1995). Handbook for graduate tracer studies. Center forResearch on Higher Education and Work. Germany: University of Kassel.


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GRADUATE TRACER STUDY (GTS) FOR BACHELOROF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING (BSCE)

PROGRAM, AY 2002-2008 1 Jonathan C. Muoz 2

ABSTRACT

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE)of the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) were surveyed with theaim of tracing their whereabouts, determining their employability rate,identifying whether they are employed in relation with their professionor not, and assessing whether the BSCE program still answers theneeds of the society. The study focused on the selected graduatesof Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) of Bataan PeninsulaState University (BPSU) for the academic years 2002 to 2008 with a totalof 90 respondents. Out of 90 respondents, 53 or 59 % were male and37 or 41 % were female. The sample respondents were determined byusing the Slovins formula.

The instrument used in the study was the survey questionnaire

provided by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Thisquestionnaire was divided into four (4) parts, namely: generalinformation, educational background, training or advanced studiestaken after college and the employment data, which were all relatedto the graduate respondents. The data gathered were then collated,encoded, tallied and then treated by using simple statistical analysisand correlations.

Hence, the ndings reveal that 80% of the respondents were

employed as professionals, an indication that the school curriculum isrelevant to their present jobs. However, with the employed graduates,only 28% are working in the Province of Bataan, and of the 72 % withwork outside, 21% are working outside the Philippines due to salariesand wages. Apparently, with the high percentage of the employmentrate of the graduates it is concluded that the BSCE program of BPSU still


2 Proponent, Instructor III


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answers the needs of the society.

Based on the ndings of this study, it is essential for theschools job placement center to device a program with regards to theemployment of graduates. Furthermore, a thorough study must be doneon determining the reasons of why the schools graduates preferred towork outside the country.


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RATIONALE

The Graduate Tracer Study (GTS) aims at generating data thatwill be used by institutional and national policy makers. Moreover, GTSresults can help the higher education institutions (HEIs) like BataanPeninsula State University (BPSU) in improving their curricula, in decidingthe program offerings, in staf ng patterns, in faculty development, andthe like.

Truly, aside from the fact that one of the requirements of CHEDfor accreditation is for HEIs to have a Graduate Tracer Study (GTS), theCollege of Engineering and Architecture(CEA) of BPSU, speci cally theCivil Engineering program, agreed that GTS is one area that needs to bewell-enhanced and monitored to ensure that graduates could be morecompetitive and could easily adapt to the fastchanging socio-economicenvironment brought about by the new global order of competition,liberalization, privatization and globalization. Certainly this isessential, especially now that the program is developing swiftly. Indeedits graduates must be well monitored in order to determine their skillsand capabilities, and to know how well they could adapt to the current

global trend. In this light, the faculty members of the BPSUs Civil Engineering

(CE) program opted to conduct a study on the employment status oftheir CE graduates for the academic years 2002 to 2008. Concurrently,this study aimed at assessing the necessary skills and competenciesrequired by the industries to address the unemployment issues of thesociety.

OBJECTIVE

Generally, this study was conducted to trace all the Bachelor ofScience in Civil Engineering (BSCE) graduates of BPSU from 2002 to2008.

Speci cally it aimed at:1. Determining the employability rates of the BSCE graduates;


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2. Determining whether they are employed in relation with theirprofession or not;

3. Establishing linkage to the industry where they are employed;and

4. Assessing whether the BSCE program of BPSU-CEA still answersthe needs of the society.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study focused on the selected graduates of Bachelor of Sciencein Civil Engineering (BSCE) of Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU)for the academic years 2002 to 2008 with a total of 90 respondents. Outof 90 respondents, 53 or 59 % were male and 37 or 41 % were female.The respondents of the study were mostly graduates residing in theprovince of Bataan. However those graduates residing outside Bataanwere disregarded since they just comprised a very little percentage.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 90 respondents were utilized in this study composingof 53 male civil engineering graduates and 37 female, with a total of90 for the academic years 2002 to 2008. The sample respondents weredetermined by using the Slovins formula which is as follows:

Where:m = is the number of samples N = total number of populations

e = errors of 7%

Prior to the dissemination of questionnaire, the addresses of thegraduates were taken from the BPSUs university registrar to directly

track the whereabouts of the graduate respondents. Then, to facilitatethe dissemination of questionnaire with ease, the researcher hired the


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service of 14 enumerators in order to get samples equal to 90/161.Depending on the availability of respondents, enumerators were able togather the target numbers of respondents in which the data gatheredwere subjected for nal analysis. The researcher utilized the surveyquestionnaire provided by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)in data gathering. The research instrument used was divided intofour (4) parts, namely: general information, educational background,training or advanced studies taken after college and the employmentdata, which were all related to the graduate respondents.

Data were then collated, encoded, tallied and then treated byusing simple statistical analysis and correlations.


Figure 1 below shows the passing rate of the respondents whotook the Civil Engineering licensure examination. As can be gleanedfrom the gure, 37% of the 90 respondents passed the Licensure

Examinations for Civil Engineering which tallies with the college annualperformance average rating of 30-35 percent.

Fig. 1. Percentage of Board Passers


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Figure 2 below presents the employment rate of the respondents.Form the gure, it can be seen that 72 of the respondents or 80% havelanded on a job whether board passers or not. On the other hand, 18 or20 % of the respondents were found to be unemployed. Thus, with thedata, it can be concluded that the graduates of civil engineering for theyears 2002 to 2008 have a big employment rate.

Fig. 2. Employment Rate of the Respondents

Fig. 3 . Reasons for Taking the Course


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Figure 3 presents the possible reasons of the respondents fortaking the civil engineering course. As can be seen from the gure,the In uence of parents or relatives still gave weight on why therespondents took Civil Engineering with 42 %; followed by status orprestige of the profession with 40 %; and prospect for immediateemployment and affordability for the family, both with 30% of therespondents. Further, as can be gleaned, the least reason stated fortaking the course is no particular choice or no better idea with 5%.

Fig. 4. Reasons on How they Landed on their First Job

Though the previous graph showed a good percentage ofemployment, only 3% of that employed graduates landed on job throughthe universitys job placement as shown in Figure 4 above. However,33% of the respondents found their jobs through recommendation;followed by as walk-in applicants with 27%; and information fromfriends with 22%. Clearly seen also from the gure is the fact that theywere able to nd job through advertisement as 12% of the respondentsanswered such. With the least , for schools job placement, comprisingof 3%, it can be concluded that this is a manifestation that the schoolneeds to device a program in its job placement part to ensure a muchbigger employment rate of the graduates.


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Fig. 5. Nature of Respondents Occupation

Figure 5 presents the nature the occupation of the respondents.The gure revealed that 68% of the respondents have worked asprofessionals that is- as full-pledge civil engineers, a manifestationthat their job is related to their course. On the other hand, as shown inthe gure above, 15% of the respondents are working as techniciansand associate professionals. While 4% are said to work as of cials ofgovernment and special interest organizations, corporate executives,managers, managing proprietors and supervisors; clerks; and even astraders and related works, all with 4%.

Fig. 6. Relevance of the Curriculum to the RespondentsPresent Job


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Figure 6 above shows the relevance of the curriculum to thepresent job of the respondents. As shown in the gure, 80% of therespondents said that they found the schools curriculum relevant totheir present job. Thus, it can be concluded that the curriculum ofBPSU still answers the needs of the industries/companies either withinthe country or outside the Philippines. Nevertheless, it was concludedbecause of the big percentage of the yes answer as compared tothose who said no with only 14%.

Fig. 7 . Respondents Working in the Province of Bataan

Data showed that CE graduates of BPSU have a good employmentrate, however ,only 28% of those who are employed are serving theprovince as shown in Figure 7 above, while 72 % of them are workingoutside , and even abroad which can be seen in Figure 8 below.

Fig. 8. Respondents Working Outside the Philippines


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Figure 8 discloses the percentage rate of the employedrespondents. As can be seen 21% of them are working outside thecountry in which Salaries and Wages played the number one factor ofwhy they decided to work outside the Philippines.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Based on the ndings , the following can be concluded:

1. With regards to the reasons on why the respondents took up civilengineering courses, the in uence of parents and relatives playedthe biggest percentage with 42% which can be one of the reasonsas to the 30-35% average annual passing rate of the course in theCivil Engineering Licensure Examinations.

2. Civil Engineering graduates have bigger employment rate based onthe 81% result of the survey.

3. Employment data also showed that civil engineering graduateswere able to land for a job in a half-year after they graduated ortook the board examination.

4. Only two or 3% of those employed civil engineering graduateslanded their job through the schools job placement program.

5. Sixty eight (68%) percent of those employed graduates are workingin their chosen degree which shows that the civil engineeringprogram answers the needs of the industry.

6. Almost one-fourth of the employed graduates are working outsidethe country and only 21% of those working within the country areserving the province of Bataan.

7. With the results, it can be concluded that the curriculum of theBSCE program of the university can be considered as relevant tothe needs of the industry as indicated by the 80% responses ofthe employed graduates.


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RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the ndings and conclusions, the followingrecommendations were made:

1. A preliminary evaluation on the application of the incomingfreshmen for civil engineering must be done to further determinetheir reasons in taking the course as it is essential. Hence, thismight result to bigger passing percentage rate in the licensureexaminations since most of our students will graduate from their

eld of interest.

2. The schools Job Placement Center must device a program withregards to the employment of its graduates.

3. The school must also nd ways on how to establish more linkagesto ensure that graduates can be accommodated by more industries/companies, thereby giving them more opportunities to be hiredafter their OJT.

4. A thorough study must be done on why most of the schoolsgraduates are working outside the country and outside the provinceas well.


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REFERENCES

Commission on Higher Education. (2006). Statistics. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ched.gov.ph/statistics/index.html.

Debono, M., Debono, A. & Caruana, N. (2005). Career outcomes ofgraduates 2004: A career guidance tool. Malta: Euroguidance.

National Statistics Coordination Board. (2006). Labor and employment.Retrieved from http://www.nscb.gov.ph/secstat/d_labor.asp.

Schomburg, H. (1995). Handbook for graduate tracer studies. Centerfor Research on Higher Education and Work. Germany: Universityof Kassel.


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GRADUATES TRACER STUDY OF THE BACHELOR OFSCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM,

AY 2002-2008 1Guillermo O. Lacson 2

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the employability of the Bachelorof Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) graduates of the BataanPeninsula State University (BPSU) from 2002 to 2008. Speci cally, itaimed to establish linkages and to determine whether the BSEE programstill answers the needs of the society. This GTS utilized 97 samplesselected from 187 BSEE graduates by using Slovins formula with 7percent of error. Addresses and contact numbers were obtained fromthe schools registrars of ce. The data obtained from the questionnairewere tabulated, coded, and analyzed.

From the data gathered, it was found out that most of thegraduates have been employed with permanent position. Further, the

data revealed that the respondents had found their jobs for a period of1- 6 months and through recommendations. Moreover, the respondentslanded on their rst job as professional/ technical/supervisory or rankand le. But after their rst job, they were hired in professional/technical/and supervisory positions. Thus, graduates work in relation with theirprofession since they are engaged in constructions/engineering, oil/petrochemical/ gas and ship related jobs.

Additionally, most of the graduates passed the board exam as per

data gathered. But practically the Department of Electrical Engineeringmost of the time suffer in the national passing mark of the ElectricalEngineering Licensure Exam. It is because most of the respondentsappeared having only little passion on the course. And that they took upelectrical engineering because of the in uence of parents, and otherssaid, for immediate employment.




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Based on the ndings of this study the following recommendationswere posed: some contents of the GTS questionnaire must be revisedto emphasize some important points; engage the students to more onthe job trainings (OJT) to expose them to more application besides fromtheory. In addition, BSEE curriculum must be reviewed to make it morecorrelated to the jobs. Moreover, a follow up GTS program for the nextbatch of BSEE graduates must be conducted to continuously monitortheir employment status.


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INTRODUCTION

Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) main campus, formerlyBataan National School of Arts and Trades (BNSAT) has been amongthe countries top producers of high-calibre technician leaders neededlocally and abroad since 1953. Apparently, the university has aspired toproduce well-skilled and globally competent professionals by all meanswhich are necessitated by the society.

Subsequently, the campus has been offering engineering coursessince 1997 as time demands. Additionally in 2002, the school hasoffered Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). Today, theuniversity has already produced around two hundred BSEE graduates.However, the university would like to evaluate how the offered curriculumhas gone for eight years in the eld of electrical engineering.

Thus, through the instrument given and made by the Commissionon Higher Education (CHED), BPSU tried to locate and assess itsgraduates through the Graduate Tracer Study for BSEE. It is believedthat the Graduate Tracer study can help the university to accomplish itsaspiration by assessing its graduates which can be a source of pertinent

data that can be used to measure the relevance of the BSEE program,likewise, to improve BPSUs curriculum.

The study aimed to know how the curriculum affects the graduatesas an individual and as a professional in their job. In addition, it alsodetermined the importance and contribution of the graduates to theirsociety. Indeed, measuring the signi cance of the program in pointof view of the graduates can be a considerable factor of evaluationfor the program. Similarly, this can serve a basis in the continuance

and discontinuance of the program offered. Furthermore, this can alsoserve as basis for plans, regulation, budget allocation, implementationand others concerning the improvement of the curriculum.

The researcher had opined that the Graduate Tracer study canhelp the university to accomplish its aspiration by means of assessingits graduates that will measure the relevance of the BSEE programand will improve its curriculum. Hence, the university can nd out itsstrength and its weakness as well.


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OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to:1. Trace all graduates of BPSUs BSEE program from 2002 to 2008.2. Determine whether BSEE graduates are employed, underemployed,

and unemployed.3. Determine whether the graduates are employed in relation to

their profession or not.4. Generate data that may help in establishing linkages.5. Assess if the BSEE program of BPSU-CEA still answers the needs

of the society.

METHODOLOGY

The GTS program was facilitated by the Faculty researcher(leader) together with the student researchers (members). Secondaryinformation like address and contact numbers of the BSEE graduates wasobtained from the BPSU Registrars Of ce, and sorted out into differentareas. Student researchers then served as enumerators and elded the

survey questionnaires provided by BPSUs Research and Developmentof ce (RDO) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Thedata from the survey questionnaires obtained were tabulated, codedand analyzed. Recommendations were then drawn out from the dataobtained.


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Figure 1 presents the distribution of graduates according to civilstatus. It can be seen from the gure that most of the graduates or 75% are still single, 24 % are married and 1 % is single parent.

Figure 1. Distribution of Graduates According to Civil Status

Figure 2. Distribution of Graduates According to Gender

On the other hand Figure 2 above shows the distribution ofgraduates according to gender. The gure reveals that almost all that is90%, of the respondents are male and only 19 % are female. It can beassumed that this is because engineering is somehow a man dominatedcourse.


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Figure 3. Distribution of Graduates According to Age

The age of the respondents was categorized into seven groups

namely: below 20 years old, 21-22, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28, 29-30 andabove 30 years old as can be seen in Figure 3. Hence, most or 31 %of the respondents are 23-24 years old; 27 % are 25-26 years old; 12% 27-28 and 29-30 years old; 11 % are 21-22; and only 6% are above30 years old.

Figure 4. Distribution of Graduates According to the Location of Residence

Figure 4 shows the locations of the residence of the graduates.It shows that most of the graduates or 77% of them have resided inmunicipality and the others which are composed of the remaining 23%of the graduates have resided in the city.


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Figure 5. Respondents Grades on Licensure Examination

Figure 5 above presents the grades of the respondents inlicensure examination in Electrical Engineering. However, the choices ofthe given questionnaire were limited to those who passed the licensure

examination. From the gure it can be seen that 25 % got a graderanging from 70-74; 20% for 80-84; 6% for 75-79; 2 % for 80-84; and1% for 90-94. While no one of the graduates got a grade that rangesfrom 95-100.

Figure 6. Reasons for Taking the Course


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The data from Figure 6 show the reason/s why the graduates hadtaken up the course. And these are: good grades in subject area (6%),good grades in high school (12%), in uence of parents and relatives(12%), peer in uence (3%), inspired by a role model (4%), strongpassion for the profession (8%), prospect for immediate employment(10%), status or prestige of the profession (6%), availability of courseoffering in chosen institution (11%), affordability for the family (14%),prospect of attractive compensation (6%) and no particular choice or nobetter idea (6%).

Figure 7. Training or Advanced Studies Taken After College

Figure 7 shows the training or advanced studies pursued by therespondents after their bachelors degree. It shows that 8% of them

took Advanced Studies or Graduate Programs; however, none of thempursued Post Baccalaureate or Professional Certi cate Program orTraining that is more than one year. Whereas 31% had a short term orintensive professional development seminar for at least a month but notmore than a year; 56 % took short term professional related training forat least 5 days or 40 hours but not more than a month; 5% took othertrainings; while the remaining 57% did not respond.


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Figure 8. Reasons for Pursuing Advanced Studies

Figure 8 shows the reasons of the graduates for pursuingadvanced studies. From the answers given, 12% stated that it wasbecause of promotion; 24% because of professional development; and2% had other reasons.

Figure 9. Distribution of Graduates whether Employed or Not

Figure 9 shows that most of the graduates or 86% are employed.

On the other hand, some of them or 12% are jobless, while 2% arenever employed.


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Figure 10. Reasons Why the Graduates are not Yet Employed

Figure 10 shows that some of the respondents or 25 % believedthat they are not employed because of lack of work experience. While15% stated family concern, decided not to nd a job, no job opportunityand never look for a job as their reasons for unemployment. On theother hand, most of them or 30% disclosed another reasons for beingunemployed.

Figure 11. Present Employment Status of Graduates

Figure 11 shows the present employment status of the graduates. As can be seen from the gure, most of them or 50% have permanentstatus; 18% are hired on a contractual basis while 4% are casual,

and 3% self-employed. On the other hand 3% stated that they areunemployed, whereas 14% did not answer at all.


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Figure 12. Nature of the Graduates Jobs

Figure 12 shows the nature of work of the graduates who areemployed. The table reveals that although 54% had decided not torespond at all; it can be gleaned that 29% have worked as professionals;13% as plant and machine operators and assemblers; 2% in Governmentand Special-Interest Organization, Corporate Executives, Managers,Managing Proprietors and Supervisors; and 1% as service workers andshop and market sales workers.

Figure 13. Nature of Company/Organization

Figure 13 deals with the nature of the company/organization

where the graduates/respondents are working. As seen from the gure,37% are in engineering and construction; 31% in oil/gas/petrochemical;


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12% in power/utilities; and 10% in manufacturing. On the other hand,2% are in shipyard/shipbuilding, ship transport, sales/service and realestate development categories, and 1% in power/utilities.

Figure 14. Distribution of Graduates According to Place of Work

Figure 14 shows the distribution of graduates according to placeof work. It shows that most of them or 80% work locally while the 13%work abroad.

Figure 15 shows that 33% of the graduates are still on their rst job. And most of them or 67% of them had already decided to changetheir rst jobs.

Figure 15. Distribution of Graduates whether First Job or Not


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Figure 16. Reasons for Staying on the Job

Figure 16 shows the reasons of the respondents why they arestaying on their respective jobs. Most of them, 21%, considered viablesalaries and bene ts; 20% related to course of study; 19% careerchallenge; and 15% related to special skills. On the other hand, 9% saidthey have stayed on their rst job because of its proximity to residence;7% because of family in uence; and 4%, peer in uence.

Figure 17. Relation of Course to the First Job of theRespondents

Figure 17 shows that 42 % replied that their rst job was related

to their course while most of the graduates, 50% of them, decided notto reply either yes or no. On the other hand 7% of the respondents saidthat their rst job was not related to their course.


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The BPSU Research Journal Figure 18. Distribution of Graduates according to the Reasons

of Accepting Job not Related to the Course

Figure 18 shows the responses of the graduates as to the reasonsof why they accepted jobs not related to their course. Though some ofthe respondents, 26%, decided not to give reasons, still 27% of therespondents said that it was because of career challenge, and 20%said because of proximity to residence. On the other hand, 13% of therespondents marked salaries and bene ts as the reason, while 7% saidit was because the job was related to special skills, and another, that is7%, stated other reasons.

Figure 19. Reasons of Changing Job

Figure 19 presents the reasons of the respondents on why they


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changed their rst job. As can be seen from the table, 33% said salariesand bene t had provoked them to go for another job; 31% mentionedbecause of career challenge; 19% said because it is related to specialskills; 9% said proximity to residence; and 4% stated other reasons inchanging their rst job.

Figure 20. Length of Stay in First Job

Figure 20 shows how long the graduates stayed on their rst job.The longest being 3 years to less than 4 years with 2% only and theshortest, less than a month, with 6%. Apparently, the table reveals that37% of the respondents worked from 1 to 6 months only on their rst

job; 22% said from1 year to less than 2 years; 13%,7 to 11 months;12%, others; and 8%, 2 years to less than 3 years.

Figure 21. Distribution of Graduates according to How theFirst Job was Found


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Figure 21 shows how the graduates found their rst job. As canbe gleaned from the table, 39% said they landed on their rst jobthrough recommendation by someone; followed by as walk-in applicantwith 28%; and through information from friends with 18% as the third.On the other hand, the table also reveals that 9% of the respondentsfound their rst job through advertisement while 6% said it was throughschools job placement.

Figure 22 shows how long the graduates waited for them to havetheir rst job. The table reveals that most or 57% of the graduates hadtheir rst job in 1-6 months; followed by in less than one month with29%. On the other hand, a few or 7 % said it took them 7 to 11 months,

while 6% said 1 year to less than 2 years, and only 1% said it was 2years to less than 3 years.

Figure 22. Distribution of Graduates according to the WaitingTime to fnd First Job

Figure 23 shows the level of the respondents rst job. Apparently,most of the graduates or 47 % had been lined in rank and le, while 44% of them into professional, technical and supervisory level. Likewise,from the gure it can be gleaned that 8% were self-employed while 1%had been lined in managerial and executive positions.


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Figure 23. Job Level on the Respondents First Job

Figure 24 shows that after the rst job, most of the graduates or

60% have been lined in professional, technical and supervisory; 32%into rank and le; and 2%, managerial and executive. On the otherhand, 6% are self-employed.

Figure 24. Distribution of Graduates according to Jobs Level/

Position after First Job


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Figure 25. Relevance of the Respondents First Job to theCurriculum

Figure 25 presents the relevance of the graduates rst jobto the curriculum. And as can be seen from the gure, majority ofthe respondents or 83% said that their rst job was relevant to thecurriculum, while 14% said no, and 3% decided not to make any

response.

Figure 26. Skills/Competencies Found most Useful on theGraduates First Job

Figure 26 above presents the skills/competencies the


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graduates found most useful on their rst job. And these are asfollows: communication skills (16%), human relations skills (12%),entrepreneurship skills (2%), and information technology skills (21%),problem solving skills (18%), critical thinking skills (17%), and others(1%). However, the remaining 15% decided not to answer.

CONCLUSION

Thus, the study arrived at the following conclusions:

1. BSEE graduates are mostly employed and with permanent andregular job. They commonly found their job within the period of1-6 months, and through recommendation. On the rst job, mostof them were lined in rank and le but has a negligible differencein number with the professional/ technical/ supervisory position.

And, after the rst job, most of the respondents are already inprofessional/ technical and supervisory position. Most of themcommonly reside on the rst job for 1-6 months.

There is no direct implication of underemployment from theinterpreted and gathered data. However, considering one aspectof underemployment having a work not suitable for acquired skillsof the particular profession, some of the respondents may beconsidered underemployed.

Lastly, few of the graduates are unemployed and aggregated bysome reasons they cited, one of which is lack of work experiences.

2. Most of the graduates work in relation with their profession. Their

current and respective jobs are in constructions/engineering, oil/petrochemical/gas and ship related jobs. But there are also fewthat landed on sales/services and real estate/ development. Mostof them are working locally while the rest works abroad.

3. Theoretically based on the gathered data and its results, most ofthe graduates passed the board exam, although others answeredeither did not take or had failed the licensure examination. Inaddition, the graduates believed that the curriculum becomesuseful to their rst job. However, the used speci c skills for their


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rst job acquired through the curriculum are relatively low. And thedata revealed that the skill most used is information technology.Next to it are skills on problem solving, critical thinking andcommunication.

However, practically BPSUs BSEE program suffers from notreaching the national passing mark. Somehow, the researchercould say that it is because of inappropriate reasons and falsereasons of taking the course. As can be gleaned from the data,the graduates had considered more the affordability of the familyand other reasons than true passion to the course.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the ndings of this study, the following recommendationswere arrived at:

1. The questionnaires used as instrument in this study should

be revised to make sure that emphasis will be given to someconsiderable points.

2. The school should give more on the job training (OJT) to thestudents for them to have more working experience and schoolplacement that can help them in nding jobs.

3. The school should also review their curriculum to make it morecorrelated to the jobs.

4. The whereabouts of BPSUs graduates must be updated throughits alumni association.

5. A follow-up graduate tracer study must be conducted for the nextbatch of BSEE graduates.

6. The contents of the questionnaire must be clearly explained tothe soon-to-be respondents for comprehension purposes.

7. For further information about the respondents, it is essential thatthe future researcher/s should conduct a one-on-one interviewwith the respondent.


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REFERENCES

Commission on Higher Education. (2006). Statistics. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ched.gov.ph/statistics/index.html.

Debono, M., Debono, A. & Caruana, N. (2005). Career outcomes ofgraduates 2004: A career guidance tool. Malta: Euroguidance.

National Statistics Coordination Board. (2006). Labor and employment.Retrieved from http://www.nscb.gov.ph/secstat/d_labor.asp.

Schomburg, H. (1995). Handbook for graduate tracer studies. Center

for Research on Higher Education and Work. Germany: Universityof Kassel.


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GRADUATE TRACER STUDY OF THE BACHELOR OFSCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 1

Cornelio S. Caracas 2 & Gerald S. Robles 2

ABSTRACT The Graduate Tracer Study of the Department of Mechanical

Engineering of the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) aimedto generate data that will help understand the current status of theMechanical Engineering Graduates of BPSU in terms of their employmentand other important factors directly related to their course. These datamay then be used in evaluating the course curriculum so that it maybe modi ed as needed to make it more suitable to the requirements ofthe industry where the Mechanical Engineering profession is applicable.

Pertinent data were gathered using GTS questionnaires from theCommission on Higher Education (CHED). The questionnaires were thendistributed to the graduates of the Bachelor of Science in MechanicalEngineering from 2002 to 2008 whose locations were identi ed fromavailable sources.

Findings revealed that most of the students who took upMechanical Engineering were male, and that the reasons for pursuingit as a course and a career were because of a strong passion for theprofession, prospect of career advancement, prospect of immediateemployment, availability of course in the chosen institute, and goodgrades in high school. According to the data gathered most of thegraduates were able to pass the Licensure Examination, and that the

majority of those who passed garnered a score from 70 to 74 percentile.Moreover, the study revealed that majority of the respondents

are currently employed, most of them are enjoying regular position,and that they are working for companies located in the province ofBataan. While some of them are earning a living as Overseas Filipino




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Workers (OFW) in other countries , the greater majority of them havemanaged to nd employment inside the Philippines. In the province ofBataan, the top employers of BPSU graduates are the Oil Re nery andthe Petrochemical Companies located in the Municipality of Limay andMariveles respectively.

Moreover, this study also found out that the respondents areemployed in a wide range of industry such as power plants, re neries,manufacturing plants, shipyards, petrochemical plants, and engineeringand construction rms. Equally diverse are their jobs such asmaintenance personnel, design and construction engineers, planners/estimators, process/plant operators/technicians and others. These are

technical jobs although most are rank and le positions. However, onlya few are holding professional, supervisory or managerial position.This is, nonetheless, a testament to the versatility of the MechanicalEngineering Profession when it comes to employability.

Further, it was found out that more than half of the respondentswho are currently employed said that they had a rst job before. Inaddition, most of them had found their rst jobs as walk-in applicantsbut had stayed there for only a short period of time. After one (1) to

six (6) months, they found another job that offers better salaries andbene ts. Those who kept their rst jobs said they did so because theirrst jobs are related to their course of study, and also because of career

challenge

BPSU RJ Vol 3, Issue 1.pdf

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Transcript of BPSU RJ Vol 3, Issue 1.pdf