Third Mission Engagement: River Scan and Challenge-Based Learning in Metropolitan Cebu as Catalysts for Urban Water Governance: River Scan and Challenge-Based Learning in Metropolitan Cebu as Catalysts for Urban Water Governance

The present study investigated the effectiveness of the RiverScan third mission initiative in Cebu City, Philippines. Universities are increasingly embracing a 'third mission' beyond their core functions of teaching and research—namely, mobilizing knowledge to generate impact and address societal challenges. In Metropolitan Cebu, rapid urbanization has worsened environmental and sustainability issues, such as flooding, improper waste management, and river pollution, leading to ecological decline in the Butuanon River and other waterways. Between 2017 and 2025, seven RiverScan initiatives engaged multidisciplinary teams of undergraduate students in rapid assessments of upstream, midstream, and downstream river sections. These assessments, based on Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), employed 26 methods that combined data collection with community involvement to evaluate water quality, community vulnerability, flood risk, ecological health, plastic pollution, and waste management practices. This study evaluates how the RiverScan functions as a Third Mission mechanism for transferring academic knowledge into practical, community‑based actions. Results show that the RiverScan fosters rich learning environments that enhance practical skills, raise environmental awareness, and promote civic responsibility, while also supporting local governance. By operationalizing the ‘third mission' of universities, RiverScan demonstrates how participatory, challenge-driven approaches can serve as catalysts for urban water governance. The participatory framework of the RiverScan—integrating technical assessments with community engagement—acts as a model for co-producing knowledge that influences local policies. Deliverables such as GIS-based hazard maps, GIS StoryMaps, and community-designed concepts offer actionable insights for local authorities. Our findings highlight a persistent gap between generating knowledge, formulating solutions, and applying them in policy.