Monday, June 29, 2009

Was it a good decision?

What do you think is/are the reasons why the university decided to tapped in-house resources, was it a good decision? (1000 words)


The most important component of any organization or company is its workforce, the people, the greatest asset they say. Asset they are considered, because they greatly contribute to the growth and development of a certain business. Without them, everything would be futile and is just a big waste. Organizations, obviously, are composed of different employees with their corresponding specialties in their own fields. Some of them are needed at its maximum rate while others are not so. But both contribute, and are essential in the organization. The people or the human resources make all things possible inside the organization aside from its managing and the money. A great factor that a certain company should note is that they are aware that the workforce they have are highly effective and are really efficient to avoid future complications. This is vital so that the organization would utilize their available resources. Utilizing the available resources in an organization is a good indicator that there is or are assets that are of quality. Some organizations would make the most of their manpower in order to cut off the expenditures they are paying. This would also mean a big opportunity of promotion in the part of the employees.


In the case of the university, it became an issue when they decided to tap in-house resources; a huge issue especially in the community of the Institute of Computing. This was not concealed in the knowledge of the IC students since the resources that have been tapped in are their own professors, or our professors I may say. They were Mr. Michaelangelo Z. Cagape and Mrs. Tamara Cher R. Mercado. Mr. Cagape was our professor for about two years in our database subjects and I could proudly say that he is really good in it, it is his expertise. He was good enough to become a professor in the Institute of Computing. He also handled the Software Engineering class last semester which we belong to. On the other hand, Ma’am Tammy just recently arrived from Korea, (honestly I do not know her that much but they say she is really good in her profession) bringing a brand new knowledge that she could have shared to the fortunate faculty and students of the Institute of Computing, was our professor in Systems Analysis and Design I. About a month or two, we were just shocked when a news spread and was eventually confirmed that they will let go of the subjects they are handling., for the primary reason that they will be working on with the new payroll system. This would mean that other IC instructor or professor will be handling it. We were alarmed with this because it truly affected our learning. For almost one month, we did not have class at all. We were for a moment discouraged because we will be starting all over again. New professors, scheme of teaching and learning, and somehow, adapting with our new professors. It was a disaster that lasted for not so long until Ma’am Faiza Alim became our new Software Engineering instructor and for our Systems Analysis and Design I, Mr. Randy S. Gamboa…(whooooh! This was at first very crucial to accept knowing that RSG is a not-easy-to pass-the-subject person..hahaha) But later on, things began to ran smoothly.


The question in here is that was it really a good decision that the university tapped in-housing. If I would be asked, my answer would be two-sided. This is for the reason that I will be considering two different views. Having a short review with the definition of in-housing or insourcing, this means utilizing the existing resources inside an organization and making use of the potentials that are existing. In the case of the university, they have looked at the pool of their employees that already possess the skills to take on specialty work (And yes, they are Ma’am Tammy and Sir Cagape). During the previous year or years, the university has been spending a huge amount to a particular organization for its payroll system. If being computed, it will almost reach about a million pesos (that’s a no joke amount). Yes, it’s really big. This might be the main reason why the university decided to adopt inhousing, to cut its operational cost. This could be possibly an excuse for them to really pursue insourcing. This is good for both parties, they both benefited. The development team (Mr. Cagape and Ma’am Tammy) are given extra credits in their work not to mention that they have really exercised and put into practice their proficiency in our university that eventually will become their legacy. Somehow, it will be uplifting in the spirit if someone believes in your ability, right? It is also a great honor indeed. My other point in here is that if the university continues to adopt inhousing and later, the students will suffer in the end, it’s much better to think again. This is risky since there are hardly any skilled and experienced instructors and professors in our university. The knowledge that could have been relayed and taught to the students that only they could give has just dissipated. Although, we are called to be a state university, this doesn’t mean that all of the professors and instructors in here are doing great. Definitely, inhousing has its advantages and disadvantages as what I have mentioned above. Was it really a good decision? In a broad sense, yes it is, because majority has benefited, to say, the entire university, and that includes the community of Institute of Computing.