The faculty members of the Department of Home Economics Education crafted an initiative to foster academic interest in the Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Program in UP Diliman. With the efforts of the entire community, including staff and student assistants, this initiative aims to provide prospective UPCAT applicants with firsthand information, career guidance, and a clearer understanding of their academic and professional options in the DHEEd community. 

Their first visit was in UP Diliman’s very own UP Integrated School back on February 9. Together with the department of Food Science and Nutrition who presented their programs in BS Food Technology and BS Community Nutrition and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management which presented their program BS Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management, the visit was curiously attended by around 100 Grade 11 students who have yet to apply for the UPCAT, along with their advisers and the guidance counselor. The department was introduced by Asst. Prof. Mary Justine Clarise Trinidad. The presentation included the department’s vision and mission and the undergraduate program, which included the fundamental skills, the integrative areas, the curriculum, and learning objectives. She also gave multiple compelling reasons why choose BS Home Economics, highlighting the warm welcome and engagement of the community with each other and the quality and experience one could receive in the program to develop their academic rigor and personal skills further. Asst. Prof. Trinidad also showed their department’s success in preparing their students for taking the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. With a 100% passing rate in the exams and other notable alumni who have a multitude of milestones with their HE educational formation, it was an impressive showcase of what the department could do for their prospective students in instilling dangal at husay.

Following their visit to the UPIS, the Department of Home Economics Education also scheduled a visit to Miriam College High School. This visit was attended by some high school students of MCHS, guidance counselors, and faculty members of the school—the same presentation by Asst. Prof. Trinidad was given.

Lastly, before the UPCAT application deadline, the department made one last visit to the Meridian International Learning Experience. For this visit, the school invited many other universities and colleges to showcase their programs. This “university fair” was attended by the students and their parents, along with teachers and guidance counselors. Assoc. Prof. Joanne Bantang introduced the department along with an AVP presentation that had the same contents as the previous presentation, compressed for the sake of time. The department also had its dedicated booth where an interactive game related to consumer education was set up for increased engagement with interested participants and to showcase only a glimpse of what knowledge the BSHE could impart.

Limited to only three school visits due to time constraints, it was enough experience for both their prospective students and the DHEEd faculty members to plan on what other initiatives they could do during these school visits to attract more students to join their warm, growing department. The faculty plans to execute more visits in the coming semesters, during the UPCAT application period, to invite more students to take their chances in UP and their program.