UPLB-ICOPED Hosts COOPversation 2024: Discussion on the Current State of Cooperative Education in Philippine Higher Education Institutions

Los Baños, Laguna– The UPLB Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED) held an online brown-bag session on August 27, 2024, titled "COOPversation: Cooperative Education Programs in the Philippines”. This event brought together representatives from higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide to discuss current strengths and challenges in cooperative education and opportunities for future collaborations.

The session was attended by program heads, college deans, and representatives from the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC), West Visayas State University (WVSU), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), and State University of Northern Negros (SUNN), along with the director and delegates from ICOPED. UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Agham C. Cuevas were also present.

Discussions centered on the pressing issues and concerns facing cooperative education in the participating universities and colleges. Key challenges identified included the lack of extension programs, insufficient funding, inadequacy of instructional and learning materials, low demand for cooperative management courses, and the need to solidify professional tracks for graduates.

“The problem with cooperative education is very unique. We share these similar challenges, and by gathering together, it becomes timely and relevant to build a platform and communicate these issues as one to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA),” Chancellor Camacho emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing these issues.

As of the writing, 16 higher education institutions in the Philippines offer cooperative management and related programs. These include 13 bachelor’s programs, four master’s programs, and one associate program. 

The session concluded with a forward-looking plan presented by Dr. Karen Q. Custodio, who proposed building a community of practice, specifically by forming a cooperative consortium of HEIs as a strategy for addressing the collective concerns in cooperative education and putting forward relevant actionable suggestions to CHED and CDA.

As the academic institutions prepare for the next steps, the participants amplified the need for continuous dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders to advance cooperative education in the Philippines. In this regard, a roundtable discussion and a national symposium are scheduled for October to serve as venues for the dialogues and collaborations. 

Ms. Adriann M. Quilloy, University Extension Specialist from UPLB ICOPED, hosted the session.

(MPASCurioso)