1 NO POVERTY
Benguet State University (BSU) has significantly contributed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty, by serving as an employer and an economic hub within its community. The university provides employment opportunities to local residents, including those from poorer backgrounds, thereby supporting income generation and economic stability. Additionally, BSU offers accessible, quality education and training programs aimed at empowering marginalized populations. Through these initiatives, the university helps to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable livelihoods. By fostering local economic development and providing educational opportunities, BSU plays a vital role in reducing poverty and promoting inclusive growth in its community.
Research and Innovation
- Papers co-authored with low or lower-middle income countries
- No poverty: FWCI
- No poverty: publications
Proportion of Students Receiving Financial Aid
The Benguet State University implements the provisions of Republic Act 10931 (or the Free Higher Education Law), where all qualified and admitted students who come from poor families are able to enjoy free higher education. Payment of school fees, including tuition and other school fees are not required from qualified students under this statutory provision. More than 70% of students meet the qualifications for their benefit. Undergraduate students whose families are classified as “very poor” and “poor” as well as students whose families are classified as “near poor” are the beneficiaries of free higher education. Scholarships and grants for financially constrained graduate school students are also available to assist them as they finish their graduate school degrees.
Support on Low-income Students
University Anti-poverty Programmes
Out of 4,820 students who were admitted in the 2023 Admission and Enrollment, about 3,682 admitted students come from families whose estimated family income is below the set poverty threshold of Php. 13,873 per month. These are students considered to be from poor families or at the bottom 20% income group. Out of 3,682 students, about 1,300 admitted new students are considered “very poor” because their estimated family income is way below the country’s poverty threshold.
Community Anti-poverty Programmes
The BSU Agri-based Technology Business Incubator/Innovation Center (BSU-ATBI) is a non-profit service facility in which a number of incubatees/beneficiaries operate new and growing businesses under one roof with affordable rents, shared services, and equipment, and access to a wide range of professional, technical, and financial programs. It provides a venue where public and private resources can combine to meet the needs of small businesses during their early stages of development. Clients are aspiring entrepreneurs, star-up incubatees, early stage company owners, and company owners with the intent to expand their business. Currently there are 44 enrolled incubatees on farming technology incubation and 5 enrolled incubatees on food technology incubation. In 2023, a total of 25 community-based trainings were conducted with 1,140 training participants.
