The University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) continues to strengthen its pursuit of innovation, having secured an international research grant from the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia. This grant will fund an innovative project titled “Harmonizing Holistic Community Development: The Intersection of Healthcare Technology Advancements and Comprehensive Education.”
Designed to integrate healthcare technology innovations with holistic education, the project aims to craft a comprehensive and integrated approach that leverages health, technology, education, and research. This initiative seeks to strengthen UIC’s integral formation program, ultimately empowering and uplifting the community’s well-being, particularly in Davao City.
During the project’s implementation plan, the researchers identified Barangay Gumitan in the Marilog District as a focal point for intervention. Barangay Gumitan, with a population of 1,372 residents, was identified by the City Nutrition Division of the Davao City Health Office (CHO) in 2022 as one of the nutrition-depressed barangays in Davao City.
Recognizing the developing landscape of healthcare technology and education, the project will develop a comprehensive Open Courseware application to integrate UIC’s integral formation program with self-paced modules. Initial course offerings will cover Food Safety, WASH, Food Preservation, Health and Environment, and Responsible Parenthood. Each course features 10-hour modules using diverse formats like text, multimedia, and interactive elements.
To incorporate the project’s scholarship, the research team identified UIC’s interdisciplinary subject, GEC003: Science, Technology, and Society, as the ideal platform to introduce and address critical aspects of healthcare and technology integration. This subject explores the impact of science and technology on society at global, national, and local scales, addressing Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), and 4 (Quality Education). It also aligns closely with the Laudato Si Program’s commitment to tackling poverty and malnutrition as critical components of sustainable development.
The University of the Immaculate Conception’s innovative project promises to bring transformative changes to the community, setting a benchmark for holistic community development through the intersection of healthcare technology and comprehensive education.