Last Monday, October 28, at the Ideation Hall of the Atrium Campus, Benilde’s Center for Faculty Advancement (CFAD) held the “Future-Proofing Benilde: Reimagining and Innovating the Curriculum.” The event is a workshop on the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Curriculum Framework revision. 

Attended by representatives from all centers and schools of the College, the workshop focused on delivering outcomes based on the aspects of participants’ knowledge, skills, and values. 

It aimed to have participants (1) become familiar with international benchmarks for curriculum standards, digital transformation, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and accreditation requirements; (2) critically analyze the existing and proposed DLS-CSB curriculum framework by suggesting improvements and changes and develop a new framework; (3) and cultivate a mindset that embraces continuous learning and adaptability.

With the workshop conducted to facilitate discussions regarding curriculum framework revisions, the CFA shared the rationale with the attendees. This included the alignment with industry and job market trends, compliance with accreditation and CHED requirements, advancement of pedagogy and learning technologies, addressing stakeholder feedback, sustainability of programs, globalization and interdisciplinary integration, and enhanced delivery of learning for Benildeans. 

As a whole, the workshop primed its attendees to eventually produce an image of what they want the new Benilde Curriculum Framework to look like. In order to do this, the curriculum would need to be “OBEdized and Lasallianized.” In other words, learning in Benilde would continue to have outcome-based education and align with the Lasallian education framework that emphasizes inclusivity and accommodation for those living with disabilities. 

Moreover, the Curriculum Framework revision is in accordance with the Philippine Qualifications Network, which facilitates recalibrating curricula to accommodate the current and future skills requirements of industries. This serves as a more concrete initiative to future proof Benildeans and ensure a smoother transition from studying to working after graduation. 

The new proposed Curriculum Framework emphasizes the sustainability of resource management, financial planning infrastructure, and marketing through a “Design Down-Delivery Up” approach. This is also influenced by industry partnerships, parent and alumni networks, and ASEAN integration and globalization.

It envisions a clear-cut ladder that details the steps toward Benildeans’ graduation—beginning with alignment with accreditation and CHED requirements and integration of the Lasallian education framework and the Benilde Vision-Mission in course and program outcomes. These would all factor into the learning outcomes and final assessments that would prepare the learners for the completion of their degrees. 

The workshop was organized by CFAD – Curriculum unit headed by Dr. Basilia Blay.