AY, AGRI?

: EXPLORING THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF

AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING ON STUDENT SUCCESS

MANUEL, CLARK ADRIAN DORONIO

AN UNDERGRADUATE SPECIAL PROBLEM SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY

OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEM ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY

BATAC 2906 ILOCOS NORTE

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING

NOVEMBER 2024
 I. INTRODUCTION

Within the current demographic in the Philippines, where agriculture is one of the

people's sources of income, agriculture is one of the most neglected by the youth in this

generation. Agriculture is one of the primary sources of income within citizens. However, it

is one of the most neglected fields among youths. It has been a common notion within

upcoming college students that it's better to invest and choose more advanced degrees such as

STEM degrees where there is job stability. Youth and people in the majority nowadays think

that there are fewer opportunities in getting degree programs related to agriculture, but if we

get to think thoroughly about it, it is more of a great choice to choose degrees related to

agriculture. With the vast lands of farms, rich soils, and a better environment in the

Philippines, there are far greater opportunities. According to a study of the International

Academy of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (iAABE), one of many important

contributions was mechanization, which abolished drudgery and later improved the efficiency

of field and farm operations, as well as water and fertilizer use. Since the last 3 decades

electronics, sensors made its way into the agricultural sector by support of agricultural and

biosystems engineers. Technology has evolved into Agriculture 4.0 and currently

transformation is occurring in all areas of agriculture.

According to a study of Anecil S. Quijano-Pagutayao (2024), where 383 Grade 12

senior high school students in the Department of Education, District of Bukidnon are

surveyed, more than half of the respondents preferred enrolling in education and fields alike

rather than degrees related to agriculture. Focusing on BS in Agriculture and Biosystems

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Engineering, Proceeding the rise of more advanced degrees in the country–in addition to the

in-demand and popular degrees such as Information Technology, Nursing, and degrees related

to business with the thought of getting more income–the rate of youth choosing the BS in

Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering has hit an all-time low. With said degrees, they are

getting more saturated after securing more enrollees due to their strong job opportunities and

higher salaries, especially in nursing and Information Technology (IT). With I.T. alone, about

47,000 students graduated in the Philippines in 2021, and the number continuously increases

each year, resulting in one of the most chosen degrees by our Filipino college students.

On top of that, despite the Philippines having 61 colleges and universities offering this

program, based on OBE Framework, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems

Engineering of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering (IAE) has already earned several

seals of excellence. The program successfully completed an evaluation in the ASEAN

University Network Quality Assessment (AUN-QA) at the program level and is certified

from 2015 to 2019. Additionally, the Institute of Agricultural Engineering is currently

recognized by the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) as the Top Performing School in

Agricultural Engineering and by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as the Center

of Excellence in Agricultural Engineering Education because of the consistently very high

passing rate of students on the National Licensure Examination.

The underlying importance of this program does not only focus on producing AB

engineers, but also on making the lives of farmers easier and the process of farming more

convenient. With the help of machines and new innovations, agricultural engineers can make

the process of farming faster and easier while still incorporating quality and sustainability in

the agriculture industry, especially in food processing and production. According to a study,

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with the help of this course, ABE students will be properly trained to solve real-world

problems in food processing, crop handling, and storage; operate processing equipment

hands-on; and design elements of agricultural crop cold storage systems.

With the reasons being unappreciated and neglected by the youth and the limit college

and university offers, the rate of BS in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering has been

very low compared to other countries. There are significant disparities between enrollment in

the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and other nations. On

average, 1,200 students in the Philippines are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering degree, whereas over 10,000 students are enrolled

in equivalent courses in other countries. But despite this, there are still students who are

willingly choosing this degree. According to a research, with students now concentrating

their theses on technology development in collaboration with possible adapters of their

research output, field testing of government-installed projects such as solar-powered

irrigation facilities, agri-waste utilization technologies, and the newer studies on GIS

applications to agriculture and related sectors, the program's enrollment has been on the rise

over the past five years.

In addition, even with the crisis that College of Agricultural and Biosystems

Engineering is experiencing in the rate of enrollees on this program, it doesn't drag down the

performance and production of innovative and intelligent AB engineers not only in the

Philippines but also globally. According to a research, with the universities University of the

Philippines-Los Baños, Central Luzon State University, and Visayas University State-Baybay

that have been accredited as the Centers of Excellence in agricultural engineering by the

Commission on Higher Education, it mainly proves that we can have fair recognition. There

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have also been multiple AB engineers who have their own stories known, both locally and

internationally, that proves that despite the crisis, it is not a hindrance for AB engineers to

excel and be successful. Successful AB engineer from China, which is Prof. Yong He, who is

known for his work in biosystems engineering and has been involved in various research

initiatives to improve agricultural practices. Prof. Michael Faborode from Nigeria, Prof.

Hermann J. Heege from Germany, and Engr. Joey Niel D. Castil, Engr. Ruel C. Lamberte, Dr.

Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr., Mr. Allen Glen Gil, and Engr. John Henry L. Tenorio are also

notable AB engineers who have also been awarded and were topnotchers in the Agricultural

and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination from the Philippines. These are only a

few from the wide range of successful AB engineers in the world. These people prove how

this degree doesn't only produce excellent engineers but also the ones who provide and

contribute mostly in our society, especially in food production.

To sum it up, the current trend among Filipino youth shows a significant neglect of

agricultural programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems

Engineering (BSABE), in favor of degrees perceived to offer better job prospects, such as

information technology and nursing. The program emphasizes practical problem-solving

skills in areas such as machine systems, process engineering, and natural resource

management. The importance of BSABE lies not only in producing skilled engineers but also

in improving the livelihoods of farmers through innovation and sustainable practices,

addressing real-world agricultural challenges effectively. Despite challenges in enrollment,

recent trends indicate a slight increase in interest, particularly as students focus on

technology-driven agricultural solutions. Increase in ABELE passers had also increased

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proving how AB engineers excel in the school and work field. Showcasing how they had to

go through to get where they were now.

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

General Objectives:

a. To comprehend ABE student success stories.

Specific Objectives:

a. To isolate one successful ABE student story from the literature.

b. To categorize the content of the success story using thematic procedures.

c. To distinguish the pros and cons of the story in motivating personal growth.

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 III. METHODOLOGY

Research Design

In order to examine the success stories of students studying Agricultural and

Biosystems Engineering (ABE), this study employs a case study methodology that

incorporates thematic analysis. This approach enables an in-depth understanding of both

specific experiences and more general field themes.

Participant Selection

Participants will be evaluated on the basis of their significant ABE program

accomplishments. One outstanding student whose narrative exemplifies the potential of ABE

graduates will be chosen using a purposive sampling approach. The primary participant of

this study with his significant ABE program accomplishments was Engr. John Henry L.

Tenorio, who claimed the top 4 spot (82.37%) in the September 2023 Agricultural and

Biosystems Engineers Licensure Examination (ABELE) administered by the Professional

Regulation Commission.

Data Collection Methods

Internet research, including academic journals, news stories, and individual blogs

showcasing accomplished ABE graduates, will be used to collect data. One may also use

social media sites to locate first-person stories and perspectives. The data gathered was based

on an article published by the Central Luzon State University on the internet and through

social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok.

Thematic analysis will be used to discover important themes from the collected data,

including challenges encountered, personal development and life learnings. Coding the data

into categories that represent these topics will be necessary to identify each part and provide a

more organize theme for these topics.

Ethical Considerations

Participants' stories will be kept private and protected and confidentiality will be

maintained by ensuring the informations collected unpublicized without any consent

according to ethical rules. Where required, especially when using direct quotes or personal

anecdotes, a proper citations and recognition will be obtained to avoid plagiarism.

Limitations

The study may encounter issues with biases in self-reported data and the availability

of thorough success stories. Furthermore, the diversity of experiences among ABE graduates

might not be properly represented by focusing on a single case.

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 IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Engr. John Henry L. Tenorio graduated cumlaude in 2022 and was an alumnus from

the College of Engineering at Central Luzon State University. The examination of the success

story of Engr. John Henry L. Tenorio, a top performer in the Agricultural and Biosystems

Engineers Licensure Examination (ABELE), reveals significant insights into the challenges

faced, personal development experienced, and life learnings acquired throughout his

academic journey. This section discusses these themes in detail.

Challenges Faced. Engr. John Henry L. Tenorio was the eldest brother with his three

(3) siblings, with her mother only supporting them. Engr. Tenorio was already self-doubting

even before entering the ABELE, thinking in himself that he wasn’t yet prepared and not yet

ready. Ending with a decision to skip the ABELE that time gave him another pressure and

added responsibilities to go back stronger and more prepared to redeem his license. “I

pursued my master’s degree. Maging expectation ng mga tao sa magiging board exam

performance ko ay bumigat. Just to save myself from the eye of pressure, I kept this board

exam journey secret from my family and friends, he stated on his Facebook post.

Personal Development Experienced. Pressured with both expectations and

responsibilities, Engr. Tenorio kept on holding on for hope and believing; even with doubt in

himself, he chose to survive. He said on his Facebook post, ”Kapag sobrang pagod ako sa

klase for my masteral, at wala ng brain power na natitira for my board exam review, doon

pumapasok ‘yung mga “what ifs." But I always make sure that those thoughts are

accompanied by self-forgiveness. I have to forgive myself for the ways I chose to survive and

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for doing the best I could with what I knew at that time.” With these, he chose to hold on to

what he was believing and chose to trust in God. ”It’s hard, but I chose to believe that there’s

a purpose that will blossom in my waiting. That the Creator bring me in these moments so I

can never lose sight of all the ways He can and will use me,” he added.

Life Learnings. The story of Engr. Tenorio has been a great viral on every social

media platform. From a TikTok video that has recently gained a thousand views, many have

commented and shared their thoughts about his story about keeping his ABELE from his

family and friends and for sharpening his pencil in front of his late father’s grave because he

believed that you should let a topnotcher sharpen your pencil you will be using in the

ABELE. And since her mother didn’t know about his license examination, he went to his

father’s grave before going into the battlefield, for he knew that his parents were the smartest

people he knew. He stated on his Facebook post, “Every day during those times is a struggle

between choosing to feel sorry for myself and let fear and frustration rule my life or choosing

to trust God and seek out what he is doing in my life in the midst of all this.”. With his

father’s blessing and his trust in God, Engr. Tenorio claimed the top 4 spot (82.37%) in the

September 2023 Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers Licensure Examination (ABELE)

and leads the other 87 newly licensed agricultural and biosystems engineers who successfully

hurled the examination, yielding an institutional passing rate of 38.77 percent.

“Once I made the decision to hold on to the latter, the rest became history.”

–Engr. John Henry L. Tenorio

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 V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusions

Several important insights into the current situation of agricultural education in the

Philippines are revealed by the study of Engineer John Henry L. Tenorio's success on the

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers Licensure Examination (ABELE). Those who decide

to pursue degrees in agriculture exhibit a remarkable degree of perseverance in the face of

obstacles such as limited resources and social stigma. Engineer. Tenorio's story serves as an

example of how the passion of agriculture, perseverance, trust, hope, and beliefs can result in

noteworthy accomplishments on both a personal and professional level.

Findings

According to the findings, there is an increasing recognition of the value of

agricultural engineering for addressing practical issues, even as enrollment in agricultural

universities has decreased as a result of the popularity of more well-liked fields like nursing

and information technology. Recent patterns indicating rising ABELE pass rates imply that

students are not only doing well academically but are also ready to make valuable

contributions to the agriculture industry. Like the successful story of Engr. Tenorio who gave

an inspiration not only to future AB engineers but a recognition for degrees related to

agriculture.

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Recommendations

Emphasize Mental Resilience. To overcome obstacles, students should develop

resilience. Engineer. The path of John Henry L. Tenorio serves as an example of the value of

self-forgiveness and preserving hope in the midst of hardship. To assist students in their

academic endeavors, educational institutions should provide workshops on stress

management and mental wellness.

Focus on Practical Experience. Increase the number of educational experiences in

the curriculum to improve students' agricultural engineering practical skills. Students can feel

more prepared for examinations and potential jobs by working on real-world projects.

Utilize Technology in Learning. Improve study sessions more productive and

entertaining by utilizing technology to develop interactive learning environments that can

help students grasp difficult agricultural engineering ideas.

Promote Agricultural Engineering. Campaigns emphasizing the value of

agricultural engineering in tackling global issues should be stepped up in order to address the

decrease in enrollment in agricultural educational institutions. Stories of success such as

Engr. Tenorio may serve as potent testimonials for encouraging aspiring learners.

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 VI. LITERATURE CITED

14 Best Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Schools in the Philippines for 2018 | Don

Mariano Marcos Memorial State University. (2019, June 21).

https://www.dmmmsu.edu.ph/2019/06/21/14-best-agricultural-biosystems-engineerin

g-schools-in-the-philippines-for-2018/About | Agricultural and Biosystems

Engineering | NDSU. (2022, December 19). North Dakota State University. Retrieved

November 7, 2024, from https://www.ndsu.edu/aben/about/

Academy. (n.d.). CIGR. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://cigr.org/Academy

BS Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State

University. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2024, from

https://www.dmmmsu.edu.ph/bs-agricultural-and-biosystems-engineering/#:~:text=Th

is%20course%20is%20purposely%20to,storage%20systems%20for%20agricultural%

20crops.

McGoldrick, J. (2024, Novemeber 4). Top 10 In-Demand Jobs In The Philippines 2024.

Nexford University. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from

https://www.nexford.edu/insights/top-10-in-demand-jobs-in-the-philippines

Michael Faborode. (n.d.). https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=nMX9iCIAAAAJ

(n.d.). BSABE. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from

https://elearning.phlnativechicken.com/BSABE/

OBE Framework | UPLB | Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. (n.d.).

UPLB | Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering |. Retrieved November

7, 2024, from https://iabe.uplb.edu.ph/obe-framework/

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Professor. (2024, April 12). List of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer Exam Result

Passers for September 2021. Education in Philippines.

https://classmate.ph/agricultural-and-biosystems-engineer-exam-result-passers-for-sep

tember-2021/

CLSU Alumnus Tops ABE Licensure Exam; CEN Produces 88 New Licensed Agricultural

and Biosystems Engineers. (n.d.). Central Luzon State University. Retrieved

November 7, 2024, from

https://clsu.edu.ph/news-and-updates/article/clsu-alumnus-tops-abe-licensure-exam-ce

n-produces-88-new-licensed-agricultural-and-biosystems-engineers

Searca, & Searca. (2019, April 11). Declining agriculture enrollment poses threat to food

security - SEARCA. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from

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curity

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