Philippine E-Journals

Stakeholder’s Program Evaluation and Review: Leading to the Enhancement of Computer Engineering Curricular Program

Renan P. Limjuco | Juvie Pauline L. Relacion

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

As a response to the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) recommendation that the University of the Immaculate Conception conduct a program evaluation to assess the relevance and effectiveness of its Computer Engineering (CpE) curriculum, this study was ventured into to draw out the significant insights of faculty, alumni industry practitioners, and upper-class students regarding their expectations of the said curriculum, to level up its content and instruction for competitiveness and efficacy. Employing a focus group discussion (FGD) involving 3 faculty members, 3 alumni industry practitioners, and 6 upper-class students from the CpE program, queries bordering on the relevance and responsiveness of the curriculum, expectations of the industry from CpE graduates, as well as the level of competence of these graduates, were addressed by the researchers. Findings revealed that majority of participants believed that a relevant curriculum is one that is responsive to the needs of the present times. Alumni industry practitioners pointed out the significant gap between theory and practice--- a missing link between vision and reality. This result implies strongly that the framework upon which the program was founded does not assure competence in application. On the other hand, the peripheral views of the students highlighted the inadequacies of instruction eclipsing the ideal nature of subject sequencing and evolution.