Gearing towards the continued annual conduct of its primary extension activity and move closer to realizing the aim of strengthening the capabilities of those handling courses in the social sciences and philosophy, the University of the Philippines Diliman – College of Social Science and Philosophy (UPD-CSSP) partnered with the University of the Philippines Visayas – College of Arts and Sciences (UPV-CAS) and organized the 2019 CSSP Extramural Training Seminar for Social Science Teachers (CSSPEx 2019). This is the first inter-college public service and extension collaboration.
The training seminar with its theme of “Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences and Philosophy” was held on June 14-16, 2019 in Iloilo City. The Visayas Edition of the CSSPEx underscored the need to equip the participants with a more thorough knowledge on the various research methods employed in the disciplines within the domain of the social sciences and philosophy.
This iteration of the CSSPEx is the second time for UPD-CSSP to hold the training-seminar outside of Metro Manila and the first time to be hosted in the Visayas Region. The first time was in 2018 when the University of the Philippines Baguio – College of Social Sciences (UPB-CSS) agreed to organize the Luzon Edition of CSSPEx in Baguio City.
UPV-CAS CAS Dean, Prof. Ma. Severa Fe S. Katalbas, welcomed the participants at the Goldberry Lite Hotel, Iloilo City. She acknowledged the participants from each region and assured them that “great learnings can be expected as notable individuals in the field were invited to share their knowledge and experiences.”
Vice Chancellor for Planning & Development (VCPD), Prof. Martin G. Genodepa, on behalf of Chancellor Ricardo P. Babaran, delivered a message of congratulations to the organizers, speakers, and participants. In his message, he praised UPD-CSSP and UPV-CAS for conquering geographical boundaries and bringing “UP” closer to the people through the training-seminar.
As counterpart to CAS’ Dean Katalbas, Dr. Maria Bernadette L. Abrera, Dean of UPD-CSSP, UP Diliman expressed her great elation and sincere appreciation for UPV-CAS’ enthusiasm to collaborate for the endeavor. She also expressed her optimism and excitement for future collaborations. “We are happy of this collaboration with our colleagues because it is a learning program as well for us and an exposure to the other characteristics of UP as a system. We learn from our colleagues through their lectures and we look forward to a more collaborative efforts between our Colleges,” she said.
True to its nature as a collaborative initiative, the plenary and breakout sessions of the Visayas Edition of the CSSPEx were delivered by speakers and facilitators from both UPD-CSSP and UPV-CAS. In the plenary session, UPV-CAS faculty members delivered the keynote lecture and two (2) plenary lectures. UP Scientist (Economics) Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer shared her vast knowledge and experience to the participants through her keynote lecture, “How Could Social Science Research Inform Policy Making and Development?” Following her presentation were UP Scientist (Political Science) Dr. Rosalie Arcala-Hall’s lecture on “Research, Instruction, and the Genius Loci” and Metrobank Outstanding Teacher of the Philippines 2013 Awardee Prof. Dominique J. Maquiran’s talk on “Equity and Diversity: The Anti-Oppressive Pedagogy.” For UPD-CSSP’s representative in the plenary, Professor of Sociology and UPD-CSSP Associate Dean for Administration Dr. Filomin C. Gutierrez shared her understanding and passion for ethics in research in her lecture on “Conducting Ethical Research: Commitment and Dilemmas for the Social Sciences.”
The second and third day of the seminar were dedicated to parallel breakout sessions on specific social science research methods. The workshop sessions were held at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City Proper. The Visayas Edition of the CSSPEx offered a total of nine (9) sessions. Each session was handled by at least two (2) faculty members of either UPD-CSSP and UPV-CAS and assisted by a UPV-CAS staff from the CAS Technical Working Group.
For (1) Observational Methods (Participant Observation/Ethnography), Prof. Monica F.A. Santos and Ms. Madilene B. Landicho of UPD-CSSP’s Department of Anthropology handled the breakout session with the assistance of UPV-CAS COP-BIDANI’s Mr. Marianito M. Ramirez. UPV-CAS Division of Social Sciences’ Prof. Moniq M. Muyargas (Psychology) and Prof. Cristabel Rose F. Parcon (Sociology), assisted by UPV-CAS College Secretary Office’s Mr. Enrique N. Legaspi III, facilitated the session on (2) Conversational Methods (Interview/Focus Group Discussion). As for the (3) Textual Approaches (Documentary/Archival), UPD-CSSP’s History Department faculty members, Dr. Neil Martial R. Santillan and Mr. Dondy Pepito G. Ramos II, delivered the session with the assistance of UPV-CAS Division of Professional Education’s Dr. Randy M. Madrid. The duo of UPV-CAS Prof. Early Sol A. Gadong (Mathematics Education) and Prof. Leah A. Araneta (Statistics), with the assistance of CAS Dean’s Office’s Ms. Maricar A. Gebucion, managed the breakout dedicated to (4) Experimental Methods. The session on (5) Survey was administered by UPV-CAS Division of Physical Sciences & Mathematics’ Dr. Jhoanne Marsh C. Gatpatan (Statistics) and Mr. Elfred John C. Abacan (Statistics) with Ms. Ma. Susan C. Otero of the UPV-CAS Dean’s Office. The breakout for (6) Discourse Analysis was organized by UPD-CSSP’s Sociology Department faculty members, Prof. John Andrew G. Evangelista and Mr. Samuel I. Cabbuag with the assistance of UPV-CAS COP-BIDANI’s Mx. John B.C. Tutisura. For (7) Thematic Analysis, the session was facilitated UPV-CAS Division of Social Sciences’ Ms. Helen Grace Concepcion Q. Fernandez (Psychology) and Ms. Augil Marie Q. Robles (Psychology) with Ms. Hannah Liza F. Novesteros of UPV-CAS College Secretary’s Office. Dr. Kritsana Poi Canilao, Prof. Farah C. Cunanan, and Mr. John Venson P. Villareal of UPD-CSSP’s Department of Linguistics, with the assistance of Ms. Maria Regina M. Montevirgen of UPV-CAS Dean’s Office, delivered the breakout session on (8) Language Documentation. The ninth (9th) session was on Ethics and Philosophy in Health-Related Research and was managed by UPD-CSSP Philosophy Department’s Dr. Leonardo D. de Castro, Prof. Leander P. Marquez, and Ms. Rola P. Ombao. Administrative and technical assistance was rendered by Ms. Gene Ann F. Camaymayan of UPV-CAS Division of Biological Sciences.
In the parallel breakout sessions, participants immersed in lecture-discussions and were given the opportunity to simulate, design, and practice the imparted expert insights of the specific methods they have selected. Particularly, the sessions allowed them to experience the applications of the research methods through guided practical activities with the resource persons.
Post-program evaluations revealed positive ratings and comments from the participants. “My experience in the training-seminar and learnings from the resource persons were very valuable. I got to learn new things and the topics were delivered beyond my expectations. No wonder there are returning participants. The parallel session really worked for me as the delivery of the topics are very methodological,” said a UPV faculty member who attended CSSPEx 2019.
With the successful conduct of the Visayas Edition of CSSPEx, UPD-CSSP is enthusiastic about the Mindanao Edition of the CSSPEx in 2020. UPV-CAS, on the other hand, considers a continued annual training-seminar for teachers and instructors patterned after the CSSPEx. Given this first successful partnership and collaboration of both UP Colleges involved, there are promising plans for similar inter-college events, all anchored onto the goals and thrusts of public service and extension of the University.
