Determinants of the best practices on practicum programs in engineering courses of selected higher education institutes in the Philippines

In the attempt to identify the determinants of the best practices on practicum programs, this study looked at what is prevalent within the Philippine educational system and to surface information to evolve a more feasible concept of best practices on one of the popular courses which as engineering. The study employed descriptive - causal, explanatory and exploratory research. Data were gathered using Delphi-technique from representatives coming from institutions and industries and in-depth interview from students. The research instrument was validated by four experts. Reliability test was done by pre-testing the instrument on four Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Luzon. Factor analysis was employed to determine the indicators of best practices while multiple regression was employed to identify the determinants of best practices and to test mediational relationships of variables. Seven indicators of best practices were determined namely: Strategies and Organization; Implementation and Evaluation; Planning; Support and Marketing; Stakeholders´ Responsibilities; Effectiveness, Efficiency and Productivity; and, Competitiveness. Countrywide, majority of the HEIs reported best practices on Practicum Program wherein the highest is in islands Mindanao followed by Visayas. Mediation of the Patterns of Practicum Program was proven. The significant determinants of best practices were Regional Unemployment Rate, Number of HEIs, Number of Practicumers, Level of Accreditation and Educational Sector.