RESEARCH-NOT-FINAL-PDF
RESEARCH-NOT-FINAL-PDF
A Research Proposal
by
Gino, Lyza
Postrero, Charisse
December 2024
CHAPTER I Introduction
with specialized knowledge and skills to navigate its complexities. These include
important, aiming to prepare graduates for successful careers in this dynamic industry.
Effective tourism education programs strive to align their curricula with industry
needs, ensuring that students acquire relevant skills and stay informed about the latest
technological advancements and trends shaping the field. Developing a skilled and
adaptable workforce is essential for supporting the sustainable growth of the tourism
in the
Philippines celebrated for its stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant
festivals.
appeal. Partnerships between educational institutions and industry stakeholders are highly
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valued, offering students exposure to real-world situations through internships, hands-on
This study aims to evaluate the preparedness of tourism students to meet the
students gain both academic knowledge and hands-on experience. This approach bridges
the gap between classroom instruction and industry expectations, ensuring that graduates
As a result, they are better equipped to excel in a competitive job market while
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3. How satisfied are the graduates with the training and education provided by the
program?
C. Statement of Hypothesis
Technology IEF does not significantly impact the employability of its graduates from
2021 to 2024.
Technology IEF significantly impacts the employability of its graduates from 2021 to
2024.
employability and to know how satisfied graduates are with the training they received.
Additionally, the researchers will investigate the perceived value of the curriculum from
the graduates’ perspective, examining their employment experiences and identifying any
gaps that may exist. Through this analysis, we hope to provide recommendations for
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enhancing the curriculum to better support graduates in their transition from education to
preparing graduates for employment, particularly those who graduated from 2021 to
Students:
This study will benefit students by helping them assess whether they are acquiring
the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their future careers. It will also allow
them to identify any gaps in their preparation for entering the tourism industry.
The findings will provide educators and curriculum developers with valuable
insights into the strengths and areas for improvement within the program. This
information will assist in creating lessons that are more aligned with industry standards
Tourism Industry:
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This study will inform the tourism industry about the readiness of ACT graduates
for real-world employment. Understanding the skill levels and preparedness of graduates
will help companies make more informed hiring decisions and gauge how well graduates
Other institutions may use this study as a reference to enhance their own tourism
education programs. By learning from ACT’s experience, they can improve their curricula
industry.
successful employment. The scope of the study is specifically limited to graduates of the
recent graduates who have entered the workforce, particularly those employed in tourism-
related fields, to understand how their academic background has contributed to their
The study aims to evaluate the curriculum’s relevance, the practical skills acquired
during the program, and how well these align with industry demands. Key areas of
interest is the graduates’ satisfaction on how the Asian College of Technology prepares
them for the industry. The primary population of interest is Asian College of Technology
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graduates, and the effectiveness of the tourism curriculum will be assessed based on
target individuals who have completed either a degree or diploma in this field, and will
not extend to students from other programs or institutions. Additionally, the timeframe
considered is the past 1–3 years, ensuring that the data reflects current educational
practices and job market conditions. By concentrating on this institution and its tourism
program, the research will provide a clear evaluation of how well ACT prepares its
graduates for real-world employment in the tourism sectors, including areas such as hotel
management, travel services, event planning, and related industries. Furthermore, the
study may identify areas for curriculum enhancement or pinpoint specific strengths in
of Technology’s role in equipping its graduates for the ever-evolving demands of the
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CHAPTER II Theoretical Background
invest in digital skills and credentials to guarantee training for all staff levels. Tourism
faces the difficulty of integrating sustainability into educational and training initiatives
while simultaneously ensuring that future professionals are trained as change agents. The
tourist industry and all educational and training institutions face the problem of
identifying and verifying novel approaches to the development and certification of new
competencies.
undergo significant changes to meet the evolving demands of the tourism and hospitality
industries. There is a need to reconsider traditional educational pathways and rethink the
concept of the classroom. While traditional hard skills such as marketing, accounting, and
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financial analysis are essential for managers in the hospitality and tourism sectors, soft
skills play a crucial role in ensuring success in this “people business” (Ana Paula Pais,
2022).
Tourism education has evolved to focus on developing student outcomes that align
closely with industry needs, primarily through practical training and skill-building
partnerships. According to Borbon, N. M., & Ricafort, M. (2022), they highlight that
Education (OBE) models, as discussed by Wong and Cheung, have been instrumental in
guiding curriculum structures, ensuring students acquire competencies for diverse roles in
tourism. However, there are ongoing challenges, especially in adapting curricula to keep
pace with industry trends and facilitating international exposure, as noted by Hsu. The
underscore the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation of the curriculum to meet
essential for institutions of tourism and hospitality to maintain keeping a close eye on the
education and skill requirements for workers. This isn’t just to fill projected positions
while also providing workers with the necessary training to compete in an educationally
forward thinking world. Programs in tourism and hospitality at the college level must be
organized and created to enhance the abilities for which graduates should be qualified.
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These abilities ought to enable graduate students to handle shifting needs in the travel and
hospitality sectors.
Moreover, it is imperative that schools (and especially teachers) prepare for this
enormous challenge: preparing the future tourism workforce. This is because the tourism
industry is currently facing intense and accelerated change, forcing it to reinvent itself
with new business models that are completely different from everything we knew:
flexible, adaptable, with greater proximity, and focused on the individual needs of
customers. When they combine this structural shift with the traits of the just-incoming
generation, known as Generation Z, they have what some authors refer to as the “perfect
informality within the industry. Early integration of tourism education, digital learning
opportunities, and innovative curricula are seen as key to fostering capable leaders and
resilient communities in tourism. Countries like Colombia and Saudi Arabia showcase
training initiatives.
Also, Natalia Bayona explains how education can create a more sustainable
tourism sector and empower young entrepreneurs. Also, it states here that through
education that acquire specific skills and knowledge that supports their personal career
path. One of the examples are a variety of skills are needed to be part of a competitive
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tourism sector, including customer service, marketing, storytelling, innovation, and
entrepreneurship, and the ability to identify and harness the power of new technologies
such as big data and artificial intelligence. Tourism is considered one of the leading
employers in the world; by 2019 the sector had generated 7% of global trade and
toward the tourism and tourism education among young generations and schools’ student
is one of the strategic directions considered by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia (KSA) as one-step to the 2030 vision of the country. The study on tourism
among young people as a strategic move toward Vision 2030. It emphasizes the
integrating tourism dimensions into curriculum. Key findings reveal gaps in tourism
content within social studies education and poor collaboration between curriculum
The tourism and hospitality Industry requires graduates to possess not only
technical skills but also a range of soft skills that enhance their employability. According
to a study by Gevana and Tan (2021) published in the International Journal of Social
employability skills of hospitality students. The study focused on 250 fourth-year college
students in hospitality programs across five higher education institutions (HEIs) in Davao
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The findings showed that students exhibited a high level of both career
preparedness and employability skills, indicating that these competencies are frequently
skills, which are essential in preparing students for real-world work environments
The study used correlation and regression analysis to explore how career
two, suggesting that students who are better prepared for their careers are more likely to
possess skills that employers value. Specifically, generic skills like communication,
employability. This highlights the importance of integrating both theoretical and practical
training in hospitality education to ensure graduates are ready for the demands of the
industry.
In line with Gevana and Tan’s (2021) findings, other research supports the need
knowledge with essential soft skills. By doing so, educational institutions can enhance
their graduates’ readiness for employment, thereby increasing their competitiveness in the
job market.
to preparing future professionals who can contribute to sustainable growth and innovation
in the sector. Investing in comprehensive education that balances technical knowledge, soft
skills, and digital literacy is key to ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to meet the
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dynamic demands of the global tourism and hospitality
industries.
B. Theoretical Background
This study is anchored on the following theories: Becker (1964) Human Capital
Theory, Piaget (1936) and Vygotsky (1978) Constructivist Learning Theory and Career
According to Becker’s Human Capital Theory (1964), education and training help
in the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Both people and the businesses
they work for gain from these advancements since they increase productivity and
employability. This theory clarifies how an effectively educational program can prepare
graduates for employment in the context of the ACTIEF tourism curriculum. The
professional success by equipping them with the necessary skills and training. This
curriculum design (educational investment) and how graduates who receive high-quality
training are better prepared to meet industry demands and have greater career
opportunities.
Learning Theory. This theory emphasizes that learning is an active, constructive process
where learners build on prior knowledge through interaction with their environment. It
supports the idea that ACTIEF’s curriculum and teaching strategies should engage
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applies to validates the role of active learning strategies (e.g., internships, projects) in
fostering graduate attributes like Competent Professional and Enterprising Innovator and
Additionally, Career Development Theory by Super (1990) is also relevant for our
study because it explains how individuals make career choices and grow in their
professions based on their skills, interests, and values. It emphasizes that personal
development and career satisfaction are closely connected to finding a good fit between a
person’s abilities and the demands of the job market. This theory supports our research by
showing how the skills and training provided by ACTIEF can help graduates find jobs
that fit them well, leading to job satisfaction and career success. It also helps explain why
it’s important for the curriculum to align with what employers are looking for, so
These theories collectively support the idea that a well-designed curriculum like
ACTIEF’s can produce graduates who are skilled, employable, and capable of contributing
C. Definition of Terms
To facilitate the understanding of this study, different terms are defined herein.
skills and knowledge aligned with their field of expertise, such as those gained from the
tourism curriculum.
Dynamic Global Citizens - individuals who adapt and function effectively in culturally
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Employability – the readiness and ability of a graduate to secure employment in their
Job Relevance – the alignment of a graduate’s job role with the field of study they
and contribute to community service and social responsibility in their professional and
personal roles.
CHAPTER III.
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Methodology
A. Research Design
The study will use a correlational research design to evaluate the relationship
between the perceived effectiveness of the tourism curriculum at the Asian College of
Technology (ACT) and the graduates employability. This design will focus on measuring
how aspects of the tourism program, such as curriculum relevance, hands-on training, and
graduates. These tools will collect numerical data on their perceptions of the education
they received and its impact on their career readiness. Statistical analysis will then be
used to determine whether a relationship exists between the quality of the tourism
program and graduates’ employability, and if so, how strong this relationship is.
This approach allows the researcher to objectively assess how well the tourism
education program prepares students for the workforce. The results will help identify
areas of strength and improvement in the program, providing valuable insights for
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B. Research Environment
specifically within its tourism management program. This institution is the focal point of
the research, as it provides the necessary access to relevant graduates, faculty, and
educational resources needed to assess the effectiveness of the tourism education offered.
The choice of Asian College of Technology as the research site is due to its
significance as the institution where the target population of this study graduates of the
tourism management program, received their education. ACT offers a robust program that
aims to prepare students for careers in the tourism industry. Evaluating its graduates will
provide valuable insights into how well the program equips students with the skills and
researcher, allowing for efficient data collection through interviews, focus group
The study is limited to one institution, the Asian College of Technology. As a result,
the findings may not be generalizable to tourism education programs in other institutions,
either locally or internationally. This means the research will not include perspectives from
current students, other departments, or faculty from other tourism programs, limiting the
diversity of viewpoints. The evaluation focuses solely on tourism graduates, meaning that
insights from other people, such as current students or industry experts who haven’t directly
interacted with ACT graduates, will not be incorporated into the study. This limits the
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C. Research Respondents for Sampling
The respondents for this study will be graduates of the tourism management
program at Asian College of Technology (ACT) who completed their studies within the
past 1 to 3 years. This includes graduates from 2021 to 2024, totaling 119 individuals.
These individuals have experienced both the academic side of the tourism program and
the transition into the professional world, making them ideal candidates to evaluate how
The researcher will use a snowball sampling and survey questionnaire method
often used in quantitative research. This approach involves selecting respondents who
meet specific criteria relevant to the research objectives. In this case, the key criterion is
that participants must be graduates of ACT’s tourism management program and have
Using Raosoft's sample size calculator, the recommended sample size for a
population of 119 graduates is 92 respondents. This time frame and sample size ensure
that participants have had sufficient exposure to both their educational experiences and
the practical demands of the tourism industry, allowing them to provide relevant insights
D. Research Instruments
relevant to the statement of the problem to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of tourism
curriculum at the Asian College of Technology IEF and its effect on the employability of
graduates. Two primary questionnaires were adapted and modified: one focused on the
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Curriculum’s Effectiveness and the other on the Learning Outcomes of BSTM graduates.
The Survey questionnaire for Curriculum’s Effectiveness was adapted from the survey
questionnaire by Garcia, Zita Zarah S.; Gensaya, Gie-Ann C.; Lajara, Sam Michael S.;
Perpinan, Justine Ann A.; and Gesundom, Jarvin Jake C. (2015) from the thesis entitled:
Students of Lpu-Laguna as Future Cabin Crew. Another questionnaire for the Learning
Outcomes of BSTM graduates was adapted from Dr. Eric A. Matriano, Dr. Rowena F.
Shabazz, Dr. Salvacion A. Nihei and Ms. Merleen Labis (2018) entitled Relevance and
The use of these adapted questionnaires ensures the study's reliability and validity
because they have previously been used in similar research projects. These will help
provide valuable insights into how tourism education at Asian College of Technology IEF
depending on the availability and preference of the respondents. The researcher will send
the questionnaires to the selected graduates through email or social media platforms. The
responses will be collected over 1 week. The researcher will ensure that the process is
clear and straightforward, with instructions included for how to complete the survey
accurately.
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F. Data Processing and Analysis
The collected data will be tabulated and organized for analysis. The researcher
will work with a statistician to analyze the data using appropriate statistical methods.
Descriptive statistics, such as mean, standard deviation, and frequency distribution, will
preparedness for the tourism industry. The statistician will assist in ensuring the accuracy
and validity of the data analysis and in interpreting the results effectively.
G. Ethical Considerations
To ensure that every respondent is treated accurately and with respect, the study is
committed to ethical guidelines. First, participants will be made fully aware of the study's
objectives and that participation is completely voluntary. Additionally, they will be free to
leave the study at any moment without facing any penalties. No individual data will be
shared, and all responses and personal information will be kept private to protect their
privacy. Throughout the data collection process, the study will improve the overall
stress them. Lastly, by reporting findings accurately and without tampering with or
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References
Ana Paula Pais. (2022, February 18). How can education and training systems contribute
andtraining-systems-structural-changes-travel-sector?hs_amp=true
Bayona, N. (2021, May 13). Laying the Foundation of Tourism Education. IE Insights.
https://www.ie.edu/insights/articles/laying-the-foundation-of-tourism-education/
Borbon, Dr. N. M., & Ricafort, Dr. M. (2022, May). Student Outcome Assessment on
https://research.lpubatangas.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6-
APJARSSTourism-2018.pdf
Dumsch, A. (2016, January 25). Career Development Theory Review: Super’s Life-Span,
Life-Space Theory – OITE Career Blog – NIH Office of Intramural – Training and
education. Oitecareersblog.od.nih.gov.
https://oitecareersblog.od.nih.gov/2016/01/25/career-development-theory-
reviewsupers-life-span-life-space-theory
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https://doi.nrct.go.th//ListDoi/listDetail?Resolve_DOI=10.14456/itjemast.2019.35
Ozer, O. (2004, October 1). CONSTRUCTIVISM in Piaget and Vygotsky - The Fountain
Magazine. Fountainmagazine.com.
https://fountainmagazine.com/allissues/2004/issue-48-october-december-2004/
constructivism-in-piaget-andvygotsky
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128130100000107
Garcia, Z., Zarah, S., Gensaya, G.-A., Lajara, S., Michael, S., Perpinan, J., Ann, A.,
Management, 3(1).
(Philippines). https://doi.org/10.17758/eares2.ae0618408
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APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
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APPENDIX II
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APPENDIX III
TRANSMITTAL LETTER
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APPENDIX IV
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TOTAL NUMBER OF GRADUATES FROM REGISTRAR
APPENDIX V
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RAOSOFT
APPENDIX VI
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SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Title: Tourism Education Assessment at Asian College of Technology IEF and Its
Effect on the Employability of Graduates
Name: (optional)
Year of Graduation:
Current Employment Status:
Current Job Title (if employed):
Alignment of Job to Field of Study (Yes/No):
Instructions: Please answer the questions below by rating each statement based
on your agreement. Use the following scale:
5- Strongly Agree
4- Agree
3- Neutral
2- Disagree
1- Strongly Disagree
Practicum Experience
1. Pre-service trainings
(which includes seminars,
workshops, travel, study
tour, among others) are
provided for the
acquisition of knowledge,
skills and values needed
in future jobs.
2. Pre-service trainings
provide opportunities for
growth and development
of learners.
3. Practicum hours are
enough and pre-service
trainings are adequate to
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gain meaningful work
experience.
4. Curriculum and instruction
is competencybased
where competencies being
developed match the
international competency
standards need by the
tourism industry.
5. Job readiness is the focus
of the curriculum and
instruction.
1. Demonstrates effective
verbal, nonverbal and
written communications,
in normal, abnormal, and
emergency situations.
2. Demonstrates effective
teamwork and leadership.
3. Detects errors and traps
them before they produce
negative consequences.
4. Manages available
resources efficiently to
prioritize and perform task
effectively.
5. Accurately identifies risks
and utilizes appropriate
decision making
processes.
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1. Knowledge of relevant
equipment, policies,
procedures, and strategies
to promote effective
security operations for the
protection of people, data,
property, and institutions.
2. Knowledge of the structure
and content of a foreign
language including the
meaning and spelling of
words, rules of
composition and grammar,
and pronunciation.
3. Showing, promoting, and
selling products or
services. This includes
marketing strategy and
tactics, product
demonstration, sales
techniques, and sales
control systems.
1. Maintaining composure,
keeping emotions in
check, controlling anger,
and avoiding aggressive
behavior, even in very
difficult situations.
2. Being pleasant with others
on the job and displaying
a good-natured,
cooperative attitude.
3. Creativity and alternative
thinking to develop new
ideas for and answers to
work-related problems.
Part III. Global Citizenship
Dynamic Global Citizen SA (5) A (4) N (3) D (2) SD (1)
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1. I can adapt easily to
different workplace
cultures and
environments.
2. My education prepared me
to work effectively in
diverse teams.
3. Employers value my
ability to collaborate
across cultures.
1. I participated in innovative
or entrepreneurial projects
during my studies.
2. My entrepreneurial skills
have been beneficial in my
career development.
3. I have implemented
creative solutions in my
workplace.
Servant-Leaders
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Part V. Leadership and Social Responsibility
1. My employer acknowledges
my preparedness for my
role due to my education at
ACTIEF.
CURRICULUM VITAE
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