Evaluation of the BS Geothermal Engineering Program of the Bicol University College of Engineering, Legazpi City, Philippines

Abstract

Bicol University College of Engineering offered the Bachelor of Science Geothermal Engineering program starting SY 2000-2001 with an initial enrolment of 35 students. From an original of 134 students, 86 finished the course. A summative assessment of the program showed its impact to the University, the region and the geothermal industry and determined the extent to which the BS Geothermal Engineering Program has achieved its objectives in terms of relevance and performance. The study made use of documentary analysis of enrolment and scholastic records of the students enrolled in the program and employed a Graduate Tracer Study which was validated through interviews and the social networking media. The results showed an overall rating of 80.53 which is satisfactory using equivalent descriptive ratings. The program with a graduation rate of 64% was able to produce 86 graduates with a 96 % employment rate, 75% of which are involved in engineering and allied industries, thirty nine are connected with engineering and related services, while the rest are involved in environmental engineering, design engineering and safety engineering. The program enabled seven graduates to have post baccalaureate studies in Geothermal Technology Environmental Science, Geology and Mechanical Engineering and three graduates who had their Postgraduate Certificate in Geothermal Energy Technology at the Auckland University with specialization in Reservoir Engineering, Geo-Physics and Geo-Chemistry. The study recommends that the re-opening of the BS Geothermal Engineering course had to be closely analyzed in consultation with the geothermal industry and the regional economic and power agenda to ensure that graduates will be employed along their fields of specialization. The on-going geothermal explorations and renewed activities at various geothermal areas in the Philippines offer opportunities for the available pool of engineers. Likewise, the development of technical capability especially on non-electrical applications and indirect use of geothermal resources is imperative now that the pace of geothermal activities and use of renewable energy has picked up in the light of the energy situation in the Philippines.