Since its establishment, the University of San Carlos has pioneered various research studies and pilot programs in the pursuit of delivering quality education. As one of the leading higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines, USC has contributed significantly to the country’s educational landscape. 

In recent years, the mode of learning continues to evolve and the University has also shifted its focus on a different teaching strategy: the student workload-based curricular planning, developed by Richard R. Jugar, Ph.D., Director of USC’s Educational Practices, Instruction, and Curriculum (EPIC) Development. 

Dr. Jugar’s research, “Conceptualizing Student Workload in Philippine Higher Education Institutions” paved the way for the University to consider implementing a student-focused approach.

Currently, student workload is not considered in the development and deployment of curricular programs. Official documents only reflect class hours while other student learning activities outside of class hours are non-existent. This creates vast discrepancies between what is reported and what students actually do. 

This is where Dr. Jugar’s student workload-based curricular planning comes in. Under this model, the student workload should include both class hours and the student work done outside of class, including project preparation, writing papers, preparing presentations, and other school-related activities. 

The University of San Carlos piloted the student workload for the Academic Year 2022–2023, which yielded positive results. Consequently, Dr. Jugar presented his research before the Regional Development Council Social Development Committee as part of USC’s commitment to share its best practices. 

With the success of USC’s pilot implementation, the Regional Development Council issued Resolution No. 62, Series of 2023, enjoining the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 7 and other HEIs in Central Visayas to consider implementing the same student workload-based curricular planning, with the pilot implementation at the University of San Carlos as reference. 

As of this writing, the University of San Carlos has already trained the following Philippine HEIs: Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, West Visayas State University (WVSU), and University of San Agustin (USA). 

The University is also partnering with the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and the Philippines Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to encourage the development of a national policy for a formal adoption and nationwide implementation. 

Together with the AUN, Ateneo de Manila University, WVSU, and USA, USC will host the Policy Forum on Student Workload Institutionalization and Authentic Assessment Adoption which will be attended by over 50 Philippine HEIs on October 3–4, 2024, at Sam’s 21 Hotel in Iloilo City, Philippines.

According to Dr. Jugar, the long-term goal is to position the Philippines as a model, encouraging and enabling other ASEAN member states to follow suit and develop their own student workload-based curricular planning, with USC at the forefront.