Outreach Projects of College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Jose Recoletos, Cebu City Philippines: A Swot Analysis

OUTREACH PROJECTS OF COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF SAN JOSE RECOLETOS, CEBU CITY PHILIPPINES: A SWOT ANALYSIS

Denise MaturanDensing, Cloe P. Reroma, Glenn G. Pajares, Mila Mae A. Caballero, Marietta D. Bongcales, Silverster Y. Omboy, Kevin Marc C. De Egurrola, Bienvenido T. Sanchez

Abstract

        This study primarily focuses on identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the outreach projects of the College of Arts and Sciences in Gawad Kalinga, Manawa, Talisay, Cebu. The purpose of this study is to know whether the projects have been useful to the chosen beneficiaries and to determine ways on how to better the projects offered by providing recommendations. This study utilizes the descriptive – qualitative method, particularly case study using interview as means of gathering data. The beneficiaries were assured that the information they disclosed would be only used for this study. Thorough analysis of the data resulted to a conclusion that Gardening was the only project sustainable for a longer term, because the beneficiaries use the project as their main source of fulfilling their physiological need.

Keywords

Gawad Kalinga, outreach projects, University of San Jose-Recoletos, community involvement, SWOT Analysis

1. Introduction

This study is about the impact of University of San Jose-Recoletos College of Arts and Sciences’ outreach program at GawadKalingaMananga Riverside, Lawaan II, Talisay City, Cebu, Philippines. The college has already implemented several skills trainings and projects such as gardening, cosmetology, carpentry, sewing, and cooking. It has also provided Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) scholarship training to some beneficiaries’ livelihood skills such as housekeeping, sewing and computer hardware servicing.

Since the implementation of the projects, no formal evaluation and impact study has been made to recognize as to which aspect/s of the projects need to be improved or eliminated. The recipients have benefited from the projects since 2008. It has been found out that there were no proper guidelines in each project for the recipients to strictly follow. Hence, a need for a formal evaluation or impact study.

1. Conceptual Framework

         This study employs the following theories: SWOT Analysis, Community Development Theory, the Empowerment Theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as frameworks in the analysis and interpretation of the results and findings.

SWOT Analysis is the fundamental tool in analyzing project, firm, and industry conditions. It stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (Parnell 2014; Gamble, Thompson, Peteraf 2013; Hill, Jones, Schilling 2015; and Lumpkin, McNamara 2012).

The SWOT Analysis builds on its strengths remedies the weaknesses or works around them, takes advantage of the opportunities presented by the environment and the external threats to its future well-being. More generally, the goal of the SWOT Analysis is to create or affirm the effectiveness and eradicates the weaknesses of the project. The SWOT summarizes the project’s internal and external characteristics (Parnell 2014; Gamble, Thompson, Peteraf 2013; Hill, Jones, Schilling 2015; and Lumpkin, McNamara 2012).