Abstract
The Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) monitoring of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) and the requirements of accrediting bodies like PACUCOA necessitate this tracer study for University of Cagayan Valley (UCV) graduates. This study serves as a vital diagnostic tool for academic quality assurance by identifying the alignment between the UCV curriculum and labor market demands.
Moving beyond traditional statistics, this research employs a "Futures’ Thinking" approach to assess graduates' adaptability through the Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes and Values (KSAV) framework. It seeks to determine how the University’s Philosophy, Vision, and Mission have prepared graduates for the 21st-century workforce. The findings will provide a data-driven roadmap for curriculum enhancement, ensuring the institution evolves in real-time based on the professional lived experiences of its alumni.
Key words: Graduate Tracer Study, Employability, KSAV Framework, Batch 2022, Curriculum Alignment, Outcomes-Based Education.
Introduction
In an era defined by rapid technological shifts and a volatile global economy, the transition from the classroom to the professional arena remains the ultimate litmus test for academic efficacy. For the University of Cagayan Valley (UCV), the years 2022 - 2025 represent a pivotal "bridge" period—a time when graduates, largely molded by the exigencies of flexible and remote learning during the pandemic, entered a labor market that was simultaneously reopening and digitizing. This unique intersection necessitates a rigorous evaluation of how well the institution’s pedagogical strategies translated into real-world professional success.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and accrediting bodies like PACUCOA emphasize Outcomes-Based Education (OBE), moving the focus away from institutional inputs toward the actual "lived experiences" and competencies of the alumni. This tracer study, titled "Bridging the Gap," adopts a Futures’ Thinking approach. It moves beyond traditional employment statistics to examine the holistic Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Values (KSAV) framework. By diagnosing the alignment—or misalignment—between the UCV curriculum and the dynamic demands of the 21st-century workforce, this research seeks to ensure that the University’s Philosophy, Vision, and Mission remain vibrant and visible in the professional conduct of its graduates.
