Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, the third Chancellor of the UP Open University, will be formally installed into office in investiture rites to be held on 9 June 2007, 3 pm at Cine Adarna, UP Film Institute, Diliman, Quezon City.

An advocate of the arts, cinema, and open learning, Alfonso believes that “as UP approaches an environment being redefined and reconstructed by the digital era…open and distance learning necessarily becomes an option and a strong potential for major resource and venue to explore alternative pedagogiesand methodologies for effective teaching and learning.”

She added that “UPOU will have to see itself as the forefront of an academic environment with vast changes in technologies to be incorporated, designed, and used for true scholarship and academic rigor.” She assured the academic community that there will be “no compromise in excellencein scholarship, teaching, research, and … in the methods and systems that help in making people teach, learn, work and succeed in their chosen fields.”

For more than a decade, Alfonso has served the UPOU in various capacities. She is a prolific writer and instructional designer of the various learning print and non print materials and courses offered by the university. She has also occupied various key positions: Dean of the School for Distance Education, Diliman (1995-1998); Director of the Audio-Video Teaching and Learning Laboratory (1999-2004); and Director, Multimedia Center (2004-2007).

Alfonso concurrently serves as a professor in the Film Institute, College of Mass Communication, UP Diliman. She has a PhD in Communication from UP Diliman.

The investiture rites will coincide with the holding of UPOU’s 11th Commencement Exercises, where Alfonso will also deliver the commencement message. (Luisa A. Gelisan, OC).