“Distance learning is the future of education.” This was the declaration of UP President Danilo L. Concepcion at UP Open University’s (UPOU) 23rd anniversary program at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna on February 26.
He also emphasized the importance of not only developing UP students through academic rigor but also of guiding them into becoming “better human beings—using the best of their abilities with integrity, humility, conscientiousness, and compassion.” These attributes, he said, will define how the University has contributed to the development of the Filipino people.
In her message, UPOU Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria expressed confidence in how UPOU continues to adapt and even revolutionize its distinct form of education. “We can take on the challenges as we move forward,” she said.
The celebration featured the launch of three initiatives: the Universal and Inclusive Accessibility Program;the UPOU Internal Communication System; and, the UPOU Networks Mobile Application. The first program will encompass “all aspects of academic and administrative functions and services” of UPOU. It will be guided by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Guidelines on the Inclusion of Learners with Disabilities in Open and Distance Learning. The second is the improvement of UPOU’s internal communication system that consists of integrated online solutions. The third program aims to enhance the accessibility of UPOU Networks—the online repository of learning materials it has produced in various media.
Assessment Praxis in Open and Distance eLearning: Thoughts and Practices in UPOU was also launched at the program. It is an open resource book which can be accessed online via the UPOU Networks website.
Another highlight of the anniversary celebration was the awarding of the Gawad Chancellor—an honor named after a UP constituent university’s highest official. The winners were: Gloria Boncodin, Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Administrative Personnel (First Level); Pura Amoloza, Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Administrative Personnel (Second Level); Larry Cruz, Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Research, Extension and Professional Staff; and, Dr. Joane Serrano, Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Faculty.
It has been a UPOU tradition to recognize its partners in every anniversary program and this year was no exception. Its partner institutions for 2017 to 2018 are: National University of Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Commission on Higher Education; Department of Information and Communication Technology; Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development; DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development; Department of Education-Quezon; Department of Education-Tuntungin-Putho Integrated National High School; Municipal Government of Mauban, Quezon; City Social Welfare & Development Office of Santiago City, Isabela; Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; Cebu Technological University; CoopHub; Digital Freedom Network; Health Serv Los Baños Medical Center; Institute for Global Environmental Strategies; LandBank of the Philippines; Los Baños Doctors Hospital and Medical Center, Inc.; PLDT; Quezon Power Limited Co.; UPOU Foundation, Inc.; and, Veterans Bank. (Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO)
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UPDATE as of 11 June 2018: UPOU has severed its affiliation with COOPHUB and OFW Credit Coop and has no joint program or course offerings with these organizations. UPOU did not also authorize Coophub’s and/or OFW Credit Coop’s use of the university’s name, logo and photos in their websites, social media pages, paraphernalia and marketing activities.
View UPOU’s official statement here: https://www.upou.edu.ph/news-and-features/536-statement-on-the-use-of-upou-s-name-by-coophub-multimedia-services-coophub-and-ofw-credit-cooperative-ofw-credit-coop
