The Evolution

The Department of Home Technology of the College of Agriculture was transformed into the Institute of Human Ecology on November 28, 1974 in response to the 1972 United Nations Global Stockholm Conference, which called for a “common outlook and principle in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment”. Furthermore, the establishment of the Institute “was envisioned to further integrate and unify all disciplines and enable the University to exert a much more solid impact in national development”.

At the time the Institute was organized along five operational areas of concerns, to wit:

1. Human Development and Population Studies
2. Human Nutrition and Food
3. Resource Technology and Management
4. Environmental Planning and Analyses
5. Developmental Education and Community Services

These fields were also the foci of specialization for the students under the interdisciplinary programs of B.S. Human Ecology.

On February 23, 1983, the Institute was elevated to full-fledged College of Human Ecology. It continues to advocate for a holistic, integrative, transdisciplinary and participatory approaches to understanding human-human-environment interactions. The College is likewise committed to the development of a balanced and healthful ecology. The elevation into a College brought with it the departmentalization of the operational areas into:

1. The Department of Human Nutrition and Food
2. The Department of Human and Family Studies
3. The Department of Community and Environmental Resource Planning
4. The Department of Social Development Services

With departmentalization of the operational areas, four major fields of specialization were evolved to wit: The Community Nutrition, which later was instituted into BS in Nutrition; Family Development; Human Settlement Planning; and Social Technology,

“ The concerns of the College as reflected in the University’s trilogy of functions are therefore, in the instruction, research and extension. Through instruction, CHE aims to contribute to the establishment of a critical mass of trained human resource who has a deep and full appreciation of the human ecological approach, as well as, able to effectively apply approaches and principles to ensure sustainable development. Through research, CHE initiates, as well as, participates actively along substantive thrusts in the food chain and biophysical processes, life span and socio-psychological processes, human organization and politico-economic problems, human settlement, and physico-environmental processes. Through extension, CHE works with local communities, local government units, government and own-government organizations in the establishment of human-centered, self-reliant, and ecologically stable human communities.”

At present, the College offers two undergraduate degree programs, namely, B.S. Human Ecology with three major fields of specialization indicated earlier, and B.S. Nutrition; and four advance degree programs, namely; M.S. in Applied Nutrition; Master of Professional Studies in Food and Nutrition Planning; M.S. in Family Resource Management; and Ph.D. in Nutrition.

Vision

Development of human-centered, self-reliant and ecologically stable communities.

Mission

To advance the body of knowledge in human ecology to improve operational capabilities and strengthen functional commitment in human nutrition and food, human and family development, community and environmental resource planning, and social development services.

Program Goals

The College aims to:

1. Provide an ecologically-oriented unit at UPLB which focuses on identification of basic human needs, resource utilization and management and delivery of social services at the family and community levels; and
2. Develop programs for research, training and community service.

The Departments and Institute of CHE have the Following Specific and Mutually Reinforcing Objectives:

1. To develop and implement programs for generating professionals with human ecological perspective, expertise and commitment;
2. To develop and expand a body of functional theories, principles and technologies in human ecology;
3. To promote and operationalize the field of human ecology for improving human well-being.