What are Academic Field Activities?

UP Diliman Face-to-Face Academic Field Activity Guidelines (UPD F2F AFA Guidelines) Second Semester AY 2022-2023: https://tinyurl.com/F2FAFAGuidelines

OFA Diliman shall implement different processes for Internship/OJT/Practicum, On-Campus, Off-Campus, National Service Training Program (NSTP), and Special F2F AFA requests. The safety of the AFA venues, compliance with minimum health and safety protocols, coordination with the concerned LGU (if necessary), medical clearance (if applicable), and insurance requirements (if applicable) of AFA participants shall be ensured by the College before a request and other usual documents related to AFA implementation are forwarded to OFA Diliman via email at ofadiliman@up.edu.ph. Note: The Certificate of Authority for F2F AFAs signed by the Chancellor will no longer be required starting 2nd semester of A.Y. 2022-2023. The formerly required LGU approval for Off-Campus Academic Field Activities, in accordance with the latest Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memo, has also been amended and is no longer required. However, the Faculty-in-Charge must secure proof of LGU/NGO coordination if deemed necessary.1 Should the units conduct face-to-face Academic Field Activities, please ensure the unit’s compliance with CHED-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-001.

The academic unit may constitute a technical committee to facilitate the evaluation of the requirements for the safe F2F implementation of the unit’s AFAs. It shall ensure that the following are in order: 

a. safety and compliance of AFA venues with the COVID-19 minimum public health standards 

b. unit’s comprehensive health and safety protocols

c. adherence of F2F AFA participants to the minimum health and safety protocols

b. proper consultation with the students and stakeholders

c. any document indicating LGU coordination (if necessary1)

1. Internship/OJT/Practicum

AFA TYPE: Internship/OJT/Practicum

Note: The prescribed OFA Diliman forms and requirements do not cover voluntary internships and can only be utilized by courses with internships that are included in the program’s curriculum.

2. On-campus AFAs

AFA TYPE: On-Campus AFAs

3. Off-campus AFAs

AFA TYPE: Off-Campus AFAs

4. Special Face-to-Face AFAs

AFA TYPE: Special Face-to-Face AFAs

5. NSTP AFAs

AFA TYPE: NSTP AFAs

Appendix 1. Other Requirements (only if applicable)

Insurance, Medical Clearance, and LGU/NGO Coordination

  • Other Requirements (Only if Applicable):
  • 1. Insurance – Only students who are not eligible for the RA 10931 Free Tuition Act must secure personal insurance coverage. Those who are eligible under the Free Tuition Act are automatically covered with insurance.
  • 2. Medical Clearance – Only students with medical conditions, comorbidities, or maintenance medication must secure medical clearance/s before joining any AFA. This is a certificate from the University Health Service (UHS) or any medical institution that indicates that the student is mentally and physically fit to join the Field Activity.
  • 3. LGU or NGO Coordination – As per Memorandum No. OVCAA-MTTP-OFA 23-02: Amendment of the Required LGU Approval for Off-Campus Academic Field Activities, the requirement for LGU approval has been amended by our office and is no longer required. However, the Faculty-in-Charge must still ensure LGU/NGO coordination if deemed necessary. You may find the LGU/NGO Coordination template here (if applicable) – https://tinyurl.com/LGU-Coordination-Template

Appendix 2. Renewal of Previously-Approved AFAs

Renewal of On-Campus and Off-Campus AFAs

  • 1. Renewal of previously-approved On-Campus AFAs – In the succeeding semesters, on-campus AFA applications that have already been approved by the academic unit using these guidelines will only be renewed by the College, provided that it is exactly the same AFA, venue, facility set-up, and health and safety protocols. The unit will only have to include the AFA in the On-Campus Summary Report of the F2F AFAs during the semester, which is to be submitted to OFA Diliman via email at the beginning of the semester.
  • On-Campus Summary Report: https://tinyurl.com/Summary-Report-On-campus
  • 2. Renewal of previously-approved Off-Campus AFAs – Off-campus AFA applications that have already been approved at the university level using these guidelines will only be renewed by OFA Diliman, provided that it is exactly the same AFA, venue, facility set-up, and health and safety protocols. The unit will only have to submit the duly accomplished AFA Renewal Form and corresponding SPAs to OFA Diliman via email at the beginning of the semester. The unit can opt to consolidate all their AFAs for renewal in the prescribed AFA Renewal Form
  • AFA Renewal Form: https://tinyurl.com/AFA-Renewal-Form
  • Student Participation Agreement (SPA): https://tinyurl.com/Appendix-E-SPA

Appendix 3. Invitation for Submissions

Invitation for Submissions to the Service to the Nation Feature Collection

  • If your academic unit, department, or class section would like to be featured in our Service to the Nation Feature Collection, we are inviting you to submit photos showcasing your students partaking in meaningful Academic Field Activities (AFAs) to ofadiliman@up.edu.ph with SUBJECT: “Submission to AFA Feature Collection,” and we will get back to you.

Do you have any questions or concerns? Drop them below!

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