Electronics, Instrumentation and Mechatronics Engineering Department

The BatStateU Extension Agenda covers a wide spectrum of extension services offered by the university. The department believes that a more defined Department Extension Agenda would result in a more high impact extension activity since a more focused extension program is implemented. Likewise, the department would like to take showcase its expertise in the conduct of extension services. Hence, the formulation of the ECE – ICE – MexE (EIM) Department Extension Agenda. The EIM Extension Agenda is aligned with the College’s Extension Agenda as well as the broader BatStateU Extension Agenda. The selection of activities were in consultation with the student organizations and faculty members in-charge of the extension activity, checked and verified by the College Extension Coordinator, recommended by the extension services director and approved by the VP for Research, Development and Extension Services. Following is the EIM Department Extension Agenda:

• Technology Transfer
• Social Innovation
  • Learning Express
  • Jollibee Group Foundation
• Community Involvement through Disaster Risk Management
• Adopt a School Program
• Adopt a Barangay Program
• Knowledge Transfer, Capacity Building and Skills Training

The EIM Department, as an engineering department prioritizes Technology Transfer of research outputs of faculty and students. However small in number, the technology transfer activities were carefully selected and ensured to be based on the needs of the clientele. One example is the Technology Transfer of SIGAW or Solar Isotropic Generator of Acoustic Wave, a Tsunami Early warning System initially installed in the province of Batangas. Funded by the United Nations, World Food Programme (UN - WFP), it is an output of research that has reached the community and sustained through partnership with the local government unit. Seventeen (17) units of SIGAW were installed. The need for such technology was expressed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Batangas after results of tsunami inundation by PHIVOLCS revealed that some areas of Batangas, although not facing the Pacific Ocean), is at risk for Tsunami. This is attributed to the Lubang fault located between Batangas and Mindoro.

The Lubang Fault is a 180km long, WNW-ESE trending active fault that passes in the offshore areas between Batangas Province and Mindoro Island. Its nearest trace is located about 120 km south of the project site. Daligdig and Besana (1993) noted that among the strong earthquakes attributed to the Lubang Fault are those of 1852 (Intensity IX) and 1972 (Intensity VII) earthquakes.

Funding support became available from UNWFP to install 17 units of Tsunami Early Warning System which PDRRMO identified. Responding to the call, the university submitted a proposal for the installation of a prototype which the EIM Department spearheaded. For three (3) months, the team developed the prototype and have it validated with PDRRMO and UNWFP representatives which they eventually approved. During this time, coordination with the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) also commenced. After awarding to the university the notice to proceed, the university didi a formal memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing with the LGU Beneficiaries to ensure sustainability. The role of the LGU is to ensure that the device would be safe and that they shall be the main operator of the system.

After the signing of MOA and contract with UNWFP, the project commenced, with a team composed of faculty researchers from the university pursuing the project.

Another breakthrough in the conduct of extension services is the Social Innovation Program.

In partnership with Singapore Polytechnic, students and faculty members of the university participated in the Learning Express Program. Learning Express is an Overseas Social Innovation Project wherein the students complete the project in a period of 2 weeks. Students use Design Thinking methodology to co-create innovative prototype solutions to real-life issues. They develop an understanding of the issues faced by the overseas community in the context of their social, economic & political culture, and analyze these issues from multiple perspectives. Through this project, students are able to apply their teamwork and communication skills, develop a better understanding of themselves, empathy for the community they are serving, and realise the positive impact they can make in the lives of a community in need. Faculty members and students of the EIM Department participated in this event.

The Jollibee Group Foundation also has its Social Innovation Program, dubbed as Farmer’s Entreprenurship Program Youth Challenge, to encourage students and faculty to develop solutions that addresses problems in the agriculture sector. Three (3) teams from the EIM Department were selected as finalists of the nationwide competition and were given grants to implement the programs. The three teams were: E-Pest, Go Beeyond and A-QUAS.

The EIM Department also participates in high impact extension community through adopt a school and adopt a barangay and projects that immediately responds to disaster such as Project LARGA or Lindol Adaptation and Recovery with Geohazards Assesment in Mabini Batangas. The extension activity was based on the immediate need of the LGU of Mabini for rapid situational assessment of the municipality after series of earthquake swarms hit the LGU. The university responded by providing extension services through Project LARGA Mabini. The extension services component includes the following:

• Geo-hazard Assessment and Mapping
• Medical Services
• Stress Debriefing
• Awit at Sayaw : A road to recovery show
• Structural Integrity Assessment
• Installation of SIGAW

As a department knowledgeable in Geospatial Information System, the EIM Department, in collaboration with other departments, facilitated the Geo-hazard Assessment through participative Mapping.

These extension activities were properly documented and were provided funds by both the university and some external funding agencies. Impact assessment is still a work in progress, but the response from interviews and focus group discussions has been heart – warming.

The accomplishments of the EIM Department is a proof of the university’s dedication to promote innovation, collaboration and community development.

True to our motto of Leading Innovations and Transforming Lives.