The United States Agency for International Development Program-Science and Technology Research Innovation for Development (USAID-STRIDE) tapped the expertise of three leading universities in the Southern Philippines. It is done to conduct series of case teaching workshops for professors and lecturers of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Mindanao.
USAID-STRIDE facilitated the creation of the Mindanao Academic Case Development Consortium (MACDC) to promote case teaching methods to selected universities and colleges in Mindanao.
The methods introduced by MACDC to Mindanao university lecturers were patterned from the case teaching methods of the Ross School of Business of the University of Michigan and the Harvard Business School.
The consortium is being led by University of the Philippines Mindanao (UP Mindanao) based in Davao, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) based in Iligan and Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) based in Zamboanga.
Initiating its first activity, the MACDC conducted the first Mindanao Case Teaching Workshop for 25 universities and graduate school professors, representing 11 universities and colleges at Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City.
The participating professors and lecturers represented their universities and colleges namely: Western Mindanao State University, University of the Phillippines-Mindanao, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, University of Southeastern Philippines (Davao and Tagum Cities), Bukidnon State University, Andres Bonifacio College, Furigay College, Notre Dame of Jolo College, Davao Doctors College, and Mindanao Autonomous College Foundation.
(STRIDE) programme is a five-year, US$ 25 million programme of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to strengthen applied research activity in Philippine universities and industries. It seeks to create a network of academic and industry researchers to spur innovation that brings about inclusive economic growth.
According to STRIDE partnerships manager Richard Abendan the case workshop series initiated by MACDCis to promote case study approach among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Mindanao.
"The case teaching workshop also aims to lead the innovation of instruction through the integration of cases as a practical application of theories as well as a better demonstration of theories into real-world scenarios," Abendan added.
Professor Michael Ayala of University of Southeastern Philippine and one of the participants in the case teaching workshop said that the workshop is very timely since our institution is currently adopting outcomes-based education and I think this is a good avenue to address OBE objectives.
Another participant, professor JennyLeigh Mangubat, said that the workshop stimulated creative thinking and encourages discussion.
The MACDC is also considering of conducting case writing workshop in the future to produce cases focusing on the diverse challenges of Mindanao like the Marawi siege. The idea came when most workshop participants suggested that they are interested to write and publish their cases and case teaching notes that can be used in university classrooms.
The MACDC envisions to reach out to the more than 400 colleges and universities in Mindanao and introduce case teaching as a method to promote active learning.
