University of Batangas: A Catalyst For Community Development

University of Batangas: A Catalyst For Community Development

By Taga Ibaan Ako

University of Batangas is not just an institution that neither provides quality education in different disciplines nor produces caliber graduates that are competent and professional enough to meet the demands of the business world. Although they have undoubtedly achieved numbers of recognitions from different accrediting organizations in the education management industry, they remain afloat and kept themselves within the reach of the ordinary people.

The concrete buildings inside the campus may blow horns for them to speak of their strength and credibility, yet lingered more to exist like human who feels, exists and breaths for his kind. And they’ve proven this by keeping a soft spot for communities and its people that they adopt for five (5) years and with whom they genuinely commit themselves to deliver services for the former’s improvement and development.

After creating a mangrove park in Barangay Gulod, Calatagan, Batangas and after having uplifted the socio-economic life of Barangay Munting Tubig, Ibaan, Batangas, University of Batangas through its Community Extension Service Office once again went out of its comfort zone by adopting Brgy. Sala, Balete, Batangas from 2010 to 2015. While others claim to have lifted a finger to be in the service of the people, UB throws its whole self as an institution and as a partner with all of its resources to brings changes and improve the lives of its beneficiaries. And good run of that was this afternoon’s (November 26) visit to Barangay Sala with three of its college departments providing their areas of specialization to the community.

Leading the pack of wolves hungry to be part of Barangay Sala’s journey to achieve improved socio-economic life, the College of Business and Accountancy Department provided the participants with insights on effective business planning. Dr. Jess Briones, a respected Lecturer in the said field, rooted everyone off their seats by triggering their desire to effectively and efficiently run a business through their initially established group M3 (Mamamayang Masipag Mag-impok).

Dr. Briones emphasized the importance and benefits of planning since everything start with it. According to him, starting out a business will never be as easy as emptying a plate of peanuts; that before one can blast off one’s rocket on a launch pad, every detail must be considered and evaluated from the simplest scratch to the most complicated financial aspect of an enterprise. The seminar might have over loaded and brought the participants in limbo with the volume of information discussed; it still proved to be beneficial as evidenced by their positive response. But above all, they were assured of University of Batangas’ unwavering support and assistance on every step they take to progress and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the University’s Center of Excellence PACUCOA Awardee College of Education representatives tagged along with every child in the community and momentarily housed them in the barangay’s Day Care Center. It is a sad fact that not every kid in Brgy. Sala get the chance to go to school. But with the presence of the University’s highly trained mentors in the field of education, they can be afforded with reading and writing skills. The University’s undertaking does end in teaching the mentioned skills.

They are on a mission to transform every child’s moral fiber to become more socially aware and develop good learning habits that they can carry with them from primary to tertiary education. Much more, it is the University’s dream to inculcate the importance of education and how it can change their lives and the community as well.

College of Engineering on the other hand conducted an inspection on each and every household in the community. They checked on the electrical installations and made an assessment on what they can do to improve them. Along the way, they saw some busted switches and risky electrical connections that may put the family in danger such as fire. With College of Engineering, the country’s number 2 in electrical engineering with a tradition of producing board exam top notches, on top of everything, there’s no reason to worry now. Every electric line will be checked; every curl will be straightened up and every house will be brightened up.

University of Batangas is just starting things with Barangay Sala. There’s still a long way to go since the barangay is adopted for five years. This is just a tip of a giant iceberg that UB will unfreeze for the community. And throughout those five years, threads of life-improving activities will continuously and will perpetually flow into the said community. The people can expect no surprises, but expect for the University’s presence as a catalyst of community development.