BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

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A Feasibility Study for Opening a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Program at the
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina
ARVIN F. VILLODRES
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

Abstract
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BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

CONTENTS
Abstract............................................................................................................................................2
Table of Figures...............................................................................................................................4
List of Tables....................................................................................................................................5
BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................................6
PROCEDURE..................................................................................................................................9
FINDINGS.....................................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................13

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

Table of Figures
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BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

List of Tables
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BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND
Introduction
This report presents the results of a feasibility study conducted to determine if there is a
sufficient interest, support, and access to provide a four-year Bachelor of Science in Information
Technology program at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina in Marikina City, Philippines.
The program is initiated to fill the growing need for an Information Technology related program
in the city of Marikina.
Description of the proposed program
The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is a four-year degree program that
focuses on the study of the utilization of computers and computer software to plan, install,
customize, operate, manage, administer and maintain information technology infrastructure. The
program will prepare the students to be IT professionals, be well-versed on application
installation, operation, development, maintenance and administration, and be familiar with
hardware installation, operation and maintenance.
Among the specific professions/careers/occupations or trades that the graduates of this
program may pursue are:

Application Developer

Database Administrator

IT Entrepreneur

Information Security Administrator

Information Technology Instructor

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

Network Administrator

Network Engineer

Systems Analyst

Technical Support Specialist

Test Engineer

Web Administrator/Web Master

Web Developer

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikinas role in Information Technology Education

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) is an emerging university that is
dedicated to promote the fields of science, technology and mathematics in higher education. It
has been established through the Local City Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2003 to provide quality
and affordable tertiary education to the marginalized youth of Marikina City.
PLMar, at the outset, has offered four-year programs such as Business Administration,
Education, Hotel and Restaurant Management and Nursing. PLMar has produced work-ready,
career-focused and community-oriented professionals in these fields for almost a decade. PLMar
has also remained consistent in becoming one of the top performers among higher education
institutions in National Board Examinations.
With the advent of Information Technology, PLMar realizes that a new program that
focuses on educating future IT professionals is needed and must be institutionalized to attain the
universitys vision of meeting global challenges by producing disciplined and excellent leaders
of good taste, who are proud of their roots and who have mutual concern for the common good.
Further, PLMars move of proposing an IT program is in recognition of the Commission on

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

Higher Educations memorandum, CMO No. 04 Series of 2011, regarding prioritized courses,
Information Technology being one of them. The proposal is also relevant to the recent studies
made by the International Labor Organization and the Department of Labor and Employment
stating that Information Technology will be the top industry that would be asking much of the
labor force until 2020.
These facts and other current trends in the IT sector, both academic and enterprise, made
PLMar undertake the initiative of offering IT-related courses to fill future labor and intellectual
needs. PLMar has been trying to become the academic leader in science, education, technology
and mathematics through its current programs. With IT becoming one of its offered programs,
PLMar will be able to solidify its hold of becoming the top academic institution in Marikina City
in terms of academic excellence, research and community involvement.
Rationale

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

PROCEDURE
The major techniques for data collection were community survey and informant
interviews. The majority of interviews were conducted face-to-face and the remainder by
electronic mail.
Stakeholder interviews
The total of 67 individuals interviewed represented a range of stakeholder groups from
each barangay in Marikina City, the PLMar community and areas near Marikina City. A list of
interviewees and their affiliation is provided in Annex A. the interviews addressed the following
topics:

Opportunities and challenges for a four-year Bachelor of Science in Information

Technology (BSIT) program

Existing credentials of BSIT educators

Computer access and capacity for high speed internet and technology

Affordability and financial support for potential students

Possibilities for partnerships and articulation agreements with existing training

institutions

Course content and format

Interest and demand for the proposed degree

An interview outline is included in the report as Appendix B.

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

10

OVERARCHING QUESTIONS
Is there a perceived need for this degree?
Will they come? (Will there be sufficient support and
enrollment?)
How will we deliver the degree?

Sector survey
A questionnaire was implemented during April June, 2011 using a validated instrument.
Most questions in the survey were multiple choices or check-all-that-apply, with opportunities to
comment. To encourage participation, respondents were offered free snacks, notebooks and pens
as souvenir and a symbol of gratitude for participating. The survey questionnaire is reproduced
as Appendix C in this report.
Limitations of the study
The sector survey was subject to potential response bias as a result of non-response and
selective participation. Those who responded to the survey may have more interest than nonrespondents in the proposed degree or may have strong feelings about the idea either positive or
negative. Running the survey during the summer vacation period may have resulted in a lower
response rate.
Response scale

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

11

The following qualitative scale is used to indicate the relative weight of responses or
comments received:

All/almost all responses: findings reflect views of 90% of the respondents in the
group.

Large majority: findings reflect the views of at least 70% of the respondents in the
group.

Majority response: findings reflect the views of at least 50% of the respondents in
the group.

Some responses: findings reflect the views of less than 50% of the respondents in
the group.

A few responses: finding reflect the views of at least 2% but less than 33% of the
respondents in the group.

In case where only one respondent expressed a view, this is noted in the text.

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

12

FINDINGS
Informant interviews
Opportunities
Almost all informants were excited about the potential for a four-year bachelors degree
program in Information Technology for barangays in Marikina City. They felt that it was long
overdue for this initiative, given that there are a few colleges in Marikina that offer IT as a
program and/or other IT-related programs. Furthermore, they stated that the provision of quality
Information Technology education should currently be in the local governments agenda to
alleviate the existing limited resources.
The majority of the interviewees commented that the trend towards the high demand for
professionals in the IT sector has highlighted the gap between demand of the IT industry and the
supply the academic sector has produced. They spoke of the lack of people who really
understand business and organizations and how their processes are enabled by technology. Some
also pointed to the lack of qualified people to fill the leadership and supervisory positions in the
field. Interviewees reported that they had difficulty finding qualified instructors and credible
institutions for IT education.
The following are representative quotes from informants who were entrusted about a
proposed degree:

What Ive noticed is, when we want to hire instructors; we look for people who
have completed their Masters degree plus an undergraduate degree in any one of
the computing or informing sciences field. Not all undergraduates have degrees
with this specialty.

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

13

I oversee several programs. We have to do a lot of training when we hire. Even

though staff may have a degree in IT, they dont have an in-depth knowledge in
IT, business processes an IT architectures.

This is sorely needed. In our company, IT staffs have recently been hired after a
lengthy time of searching. It was hard to find qualified people so we have to
develop a training package for the staff we hired.

I think that instructors and academic heads in each college or university should
have more awareness and understanding of information technology as a college
program and as an enabler in business entities.

I like the idea of an IT program degree coming from a local university. That
means that the government itself is putting emphasis on the possible role of IT in
our society.

It is an exciting time in the field. Now is the time to get on the bandwagon.

Im really excited about the prospect of this program and what it could do to
professionalize the sector.

I often had people asking me where to get a degree in IT when I was registrar
and I wasnt sure.

This initiative is long overdue, and very exciting for IT enthusiasts in our area.

We need a HEI in our area that would offer a degree in IT.

It would help in the creation of a career ladder among Marikina residents.

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

Challenges
Although there was wide agreement that the proposed degree presented exciting
possibilities, informants identified several challenges to be addressed. Concerns were raised
about the possible cost of getting a degree in IT. Presently, a degree in IT is expensive even to
those who are enrolled in public HEIs. Other concerns are directed to the availability of
equipment and other learning materials both within and outside the university.
Existing credentials

14

BSIT at PLMar: A Feasibility Study

References

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