MSEUF provides dedicated outreach education for communities beyond the campus

A university-wide framework for outreach education

Community extension is described in MSEUF policy as part of the university mission and a shared duty of all sectors of the institution. Faculty, employees, and students are encouraged to take part in approved Community Extension Service (CES) projects, with a strong focus on reaching “marginalized and less privileged” people in adopted barangays. 

These are coordinated at the institutional level by the Community Relations Department (CRD), which is mandated to facilitate collaboration between the university and the communities it serves and to coordinate outreach and CES projects.

MSEUF’s CES roles and functions page also states that “it is the whole MSEUF that is extended,” highlighting that community extension uses the university’s people, facilities, and expertise to help communities develop and to form “aware and responsive people” at the community level. 

Formal outreach courses and trainings for community members

Under the Community Engagement Program (CEP), MSEUF offers structured short-term literacy and training courses for external beneficiaries. These include:

• Technical and computer courses

• Housekeeping courses

• Tutorial services

• Gender sensitivity training

• First aid and basic survival training

Beneficiaries who complete the required training hours receive a certificate of completion, which shows that these activities are not only service projects but also organized educational offerings for the wider community.

An example from the SDG-focused pages is the First Aid Training for barangay tanods of Barangay Dalahican. This training equipped local peace and order personnel with essential emergency response skills, demonstrating how outreach education builds the capacity of community frontliners.

Flagship outreach programs for local residents and partner schools

MSEUF has identified several flagship Community Extension Service Programs that combine education, skills training, and community support. These include:

• Cyber Eskwela 2023 (College of Computing and Multimedia Studies)
  Digital literacy and skills training for students of Quezon National High School, preparing them for a more digital and technology-driven world.

• Life-Saving Appliances Demonstration and Fire Prevention Seminar (College of Maritime Education)
  Hands-on sessions for coastal communities and partner schools on safety at sea and fire prevention, including demonstrations and donation of fire extinguishers.

• Mangrove planting and coastal clean-up at Barangay Ransohan (College of Maritime Education)
  Environmental education and community involvement in protecting coastal ecosystems, while also supporting the livelihood of coastal residents.

• Dragon fruit farm project (College of International Hospitality and Tourism Management)
  A community-linked agricultural initiative that allows residents and students to learn about sustainable farming and agribusiness.

• Apple + Pen Project (College of Arts and Sciences)
  A donation drive that provides school supplies to learners in need, supporting their educational journey and encouraging community solidarity.

• Paskuhan para Kay Lola (Institute of Graduate Studies and Research)
  Christmas gift giving and caroling at the Kiwanis Foundation, which nurtures intergenerational relationships and social inclusion for elderly beneficiaries.
  

In the Basic Education Department, the CES page highlights nutrition and learning support programs for young learners in nearby public schools, such as the “Tuluy-tuloy na Busog, Lusog, Talino Program” and the “Busog, Lakas, Talino Program.” These signature programs address nutrition gaps while supporting wellness and educational outcomes for children outside the university.

Focus on marginalized and crisis-affected communities

The General Guidelines on CES Programs Operations state that outreach activities cover adopted barangays and “communities in need of immediate services.” These outreach activities include:

• Relief drives and operations

• Gift giving

• Blood donation

• Medical and dental services

• Feeding programs

Seminars and orientations are required alongside these activities, which means that relief work is paired with information and education, not only distribution of goods.

The CES Conceptual Framework describes MSEUF as a “catalyst of positive change,” where community extension workers help residents of adopted barangays build their own capacity for development. It stresses educating residents so that they become empowered and more self-reliant in continuing projects even after direct university support ends.

This approach directly supports communities that are poor, vulnerable, or affected by crises by combining immediate assistance with longer-term skills and knowledge.

Inclusion of different community groups, including alumni

MSEUF’s outreach ecosystem is linked with its external relations and alumni offices. The Office of the Vice President for External Relations (OVPER) manages relationships with external entities, oversees global and local engagement, and plays a key role in alumni relations and collaboration with agencies, businesses, and organizations.

The Office of Scholarship, Endowment, Job Placement, and Alumni Relations (OSJPAR) and tools such as the MSEUF Alumni Survey help the university stay connected with alumni and use their feedback to improve degree programs and services for current and future learners. 

While most community extension programs described on the website are focused on local residents, partner schools, barangay officials, and marginalized groups, this structure shows that alumni are also part of the wider community that MSEUF serves and engages.