ED Tito Aliga facilitated a roundtable discussion with UPCOE ADSA Rhandley Cajote, Office of Counselling and Guidance Director Joel Javiniar and staff, two UPCOE students, ERDFI president Chato Calderon and member Gerry Parco, and alumni volunteers, to explore the issue of student wellbeing and mental health among students. Inputs will be used to craft the approach that UPCOE and UPERDFI will undertake. The meeting was held on March 15 at the NEC Executive Board Room.
Why SWELL?
Every year, the UP College of Engineering (UPCOE) admits more than 1,100 freshmen but the College graduates only about 800. There have been increasing incidences of depression and other mental health issues causing drop-outs. More Engineering students seek counselling and financial help.
UPERDFI and UPCOE initiated the Student Wellbeing (SWELL) Program to support the twin goals of increasing the graduation rate and addressing the mental health problem among our students. We are raising funds to create a facility and provide counselling to improve the wellbeing of our students.
Together, we will help enable our future engineers to reach their full potential.