The UNIV Happiness Project will involve the following phases:
Happiness Project Pitch Presentation
Happiness Project Pitch Evaluation
Project Implementation
Project Report
UNIV Expo
Inclusion in the USAP 2023 Week
The project pitch is a 5-7 minutes oral presentation by an individual or a group representative (i.e., the Happiness Ambassador) of the nature and plan of their proposed project. This pitch is presented in lieu of a written project proposal. The project pitch must sum up the following components of the proposal:
Problem. Who actually has this problem? What is the nature of the problem? Why is the problem worth solving? Where does the problem arise?
Project idea. This includes the target beneficiaries, their needs/desires, the project idea and form (e.g., a study, wellness activity, documentary, social media initiative, etc.), and intended benefit/impact of the proposed project to the beneficiaries. A sample summary of the project idea is as follows:
“For university students (target beneficiaries) who want to achieve a balance between individual work and team work (needs/desires), this guide (project idea) is a resource (form) that will equip them with strategies and techniques they need to be a good team player (intended benefit/impact).”
The project idea needs to be relevant to the theme, “Searching for Happiness.”
Timeline and resources. What is your project timeline and the resources you will need?
Success indicators. If applicable, how will you measure the success of your project?
The Happiness Ambassador is an individual or group representative who will pitch her/their Happiness Project. Members of the USAP 2023 Team and a group of consultants will be present, either onsite or online, to ask questions.
The UNIV Consultants and the USAP 2023 Team will be guided by the following criteria for evaluation of the Happiness Project pitches:
Objectives of the project are clearly stated, measurable and attainable.
The pitch states objectives using terms that can be understood by non-experts.
The way the objectives are stated makes them easily measurable.
Objectives can be reasonably achieved within the available timeline.
Proposal includes a clear rationale that is reasonable and relevant.
The rationale for the project is clearly explained and aligns with the intended outcomes, benefits, or goals.
The project is highly relevant to the UNIV 2023 theme, “Searching for Happiness.”
The objectives and intended benefits are guided by relevant theories or concepts related to the theme.
Plans for carrying out the project and approaches to be employed are clear, relevant, and feasible.
The proposed methods, strategies, or approaches clearly support attainment of the project objectives.
The strategies and approaches are also clearly articulated and are reasonable.
The project is applicable and transferable.
The proposed project contributes to addressing the problem at hand.
The project brings value to the beneficiaries (i.e., individuals or community).
The scope and impact of the project are clearly defined.
The UNIV Consultants will evaluate the project pitches within a week from the presentation of the pitch. Based on the recommendations of the consultants, the USAP 2023 Team will decide which of the project pitches are considered approved for implementation. The team will notify the individual/groups about the status of their projects within that same period.
The UNIV Happiness Project pitches will be presented beginning 30 November 2022, 1-5 pm through a blended format (online and onsite). Depending on the number of prospective individuals/teams, the UNIV Team may schedule another date for presentation of pitches. Please stay tuned for more details on this presentation activity.
Once approved, the proposed projects can already be implemented. At this stage, the individual/group needs to document the implementation of the project, leading towards a Project Report.
The Project Report is the final output of the UNIV Happiness Project. It can be presented in an audiovisual format. The project report must essentially contain the following elements:
Problem
Project idea
Form of project
Target beneficiaries
Intended outcomes
Execution of idea
Timeline and resources
Strategies applied
Measures of success
Actual outcomes
Quantitative/qualitative findings
Lessons learned
Areas for further implementation
Submission of the project reports is due on 4 March 2023. The UNIV Consultants and USAP 2023 Team will evaluate the report and the individuals/groups will be notified if they will be presenting in the UNIV Expo. Please stay tuned for the detailed project report guidelines and technical specifications.
The project reports will be showcased during the UNIV Expo on 18 March 2023. Details of the UNIV Expo will be provided soon.
The UNIV Consultants and USAP 2023 Team will choose 3-5 Happiness Projects that can be replicated or adapted as part of the activities during the USAP 2023 Week.
The UNIV Happiness Project can be done individually by university students or by a group, which can consist of university students or a mixed group of senior high school and university students. The team must be composed of a maximum of five members.
They will be guided by an adviser or coach, who can either be a graduate student, a KALFI volunteer, or anyone assigned by the UNIV Local Coordinator of their respective KALFI center.
The individuals/teams must register online through this form. Registration period ends on 27 November 2022.
The USAP 2023 Team is assisted by the following consultants in evaluating the UNIV Happiness Projects:
Maria Bernadette L. Abrera, PhD (Professor and Dean, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman)
Alma Santiago-Espartinez, PhD (Associate Professor, UST and De La Salle - College of St. Benilde)
Ashley Aquino (Coordinator, School of Character Program, PAREF Woodrose School)
For questions and clarifications, please contact the UNIV Seminar Asia Pacific 2023 Team through email: univusap2023@gmail.com.
