For the year 2018, the NSTP Diliman Office, through the Academic Program Improvement Grant, undertook a project that is entitled “Synchronizing NSTP and NSRC towards the mobilization of UPD SRC.” Said project aimed to develop a mechanism that will sustain the sense of volunteerism in every NSTP student even after they have finished the course. The Office acknowledges the diversity of extension services in the University which can be tapped for the mobilization of the reservists who, in turn, can be great resources in the implementation of the colleges’ extension programs. In line with this, among the objectives of the project are: 1) to enhance NSTP programs to strengthen the capacity of the colleges offering NSTP in maximizing the potential of the students in carrying out the programs spearheaded by the extension offices; and 2) to come up with a policy recommendation to establish a mechanism for the reservists to carry on with their commitment of service. To this end, various data gathering methods were employed to acquire relevant information for the crafting of the policy recommendation.
Activities and programs of the extension offices were gathered and organized into a database to predetermine if there are any volunteer needs that the reservists may fill and to evaluate if the opportunities present can provide a fulfilling and enriching experience to the students. Thereafter, an interview was conducted among extension heads who are willing to forge partnership with NSTP Diliman Office in this project.
On October 29, 2018, a simultaneous workshop of clustered NSTP college coordinators with extension heads and representatives was held to explore possible programs that may strengthen the partnership between the NSTP Office and extension offices and also to discuss the recommended provisions that will form part of the policy recommendation.This policy has been created to ensure that all potential volunteers will be treated in a fair and consistent way. It should also aid in understanding what support is available to them and what they can expect from their volunteering experience. Moreover, it will serve as a guide on how to properly integrate the volunteers into the organizational structure of the office they chose to be part of and how best their potential might be realized.
by Vianne Grace C. Delfinado
