Participants during the New Faculty Orientation 2025 at AVR, UPOU HQ
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA), conducted the New Faculty Orientation 2025 on 19 August 2025 at the AVR, University of the Philippines Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna.
This activity aims to inform newly hired faculty members and faculties-in-charge about the UPOU thrusts in instruction, research, and public service. The human resource and administrative concerns were also discussed for the non-tenure faculty members who participated in the orientation.
The orientation started with a message from UPOU Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano, who warmly welcomed the new faculty members and faculties-in-charge, setting their expectations on imparting the UPOU’s thrusts in teaching, research, and public service.
Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning (CODTL) Deputy Director, Dr. Joseph De Mesa thoroughly discussed the ODeL principles, the University’s teaching philosophy, and overview of FIC responsibilities. Former Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services (OASIS) Director, Asst. Prof. Ana Katrina Marcial delved into the preparation of resource-based course packs (RBCPs). CODTL Director Dr. Juvy Lizette Gervacio imparted ways facilitating online learning and supporting students. For instruction and administrative concerns of the FICS, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (A2VCAA) for Instruction Dr. Leo Mendel Rosario shared the important aspects of instruction such as grading system, grade submission via FIC portal, AI policies and guidelines, gender responsive teaching, student evaluation of teaching (SET), and the FIC dashboard.
During the latter part of the event, A2VCAA for Research Dr. Myra D. Oruga elaborated on the research grants, publication awards, and ethics review available to faculty members, as well as the related requirements and process flows. She also briefly discussed the importance of the UPOU Faculty dashboard in tracking research grant opportunities and research-related matters for faculty members.
FMDS Dean Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan engaged the participants in her discussion on public service or community engagement within the University, emphasizing its various types, namely: service to the university; service to the discipline or profession; service to the nation; and service to the world.
Furthermore, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) Dr. Jean A. Saludadez and Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Michael Lagaya informed the participants of pertinent human resource and administrative concerns, including the University’s background and organizational structure, as well as employee benefits. The newly-hired faculty members also took their Oath of Office at the end of the discussion.
As a parting message, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) Dr. Aurora V. Lacaste expressed gratitude to the resource persons who dedicated their time and efforts in orienting the new faculty members. She also mentioned that this activity is aimed to be converted into an open educational resource (OER) for the benefit of faculty members who are currently and will be part of UPOU.
UPOU, as a transformative University of the Future, continues to hone its faculty members and FICs with activities like the New Faculty Orientation to jumpstart and sustain their professional development.
Written by Nikhaela Valenciano | Edited by Aurora Lacaste and Alvie Alip
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