CHUMSS ACOs project wins WURI recognition for global resilience
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (ED)Community’s Hope for the
Unemployed and Marginalized Sector of Society: Adopted Community Organizations
Extension Services (CHUMSS: ACOs) project, led by the College of Humanities and
Social Sciences, was recognized as Rank 26 under the A8 category: Support for
Global Resilience at the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).
WURI is one of three Commission
on Higher Education’s (CHED) recognized ranking systems for higher education
institution internationalization, such as the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS World,
Asia, and Stars), and Times Higher Education (THE World, Asia, and Impact Rankings).
It evaluates and ranks top
universities around the world for the institution’s real contributions to
industry and society.
Launched in September 2023, the
CHUMSS: ACOs Project reflects the university’s drive to community development
and sustainable livelihoods.
According to CHUMSS faculty
member, Ricardo Arcilla Jr., who is also the brainchild of the project, the
program supported four ACOs, benefiting 106 members through training and
resources to promote self-sufficiency.
The college also partnered with
TESDA-CSHCI and the Local Government Unit of Bagamanoc to strengthen the
project’s impact.
CHUMSS ACOs focuses on five key
components. First is Capacity Building, equipping ACO members with essential
skills in organizational management, financial literacy, and leadership. The
second one is Technical Skills Development, where the members receive
specialized training in food production and service industries, followed by
Sustainable Livelihood Projects and Income-Generating Projects (IGPs), wherein ACOs
are guided in creating proposals that align with community needs and available
funding opportunities.
Another one is Team Building and
Leadership Training. This aspect strengthens community cohesion and develops
leadership skills through collaborative activities and training sessions.
The last component is ACOs
Community Outreach, addressing both immediate and long-term recovery needs in
times of disasters.
On December 4, CHUMSS faculty and
students organized an outreach activity to help their adopted organizations
recover from the Super Typhoon Pepito’s devastating effects, distributing
generator sets funded by CHUMSS faculty and sacks of rice provided by the
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
Photo credit: CHUMSS
