UP Open University celebrates 14th anniversary

On 25-27 February 2009, the UP Open University (UPOU) will mark its 14th Foundation Day. The celebration, with the theme "Building Global Learning Communities," will kick-off with the laying of the time capsule in the site where the Centennial Center for Digital Learning Building will rise; and with the ribbon cutting ceremonies at the newly-built Oblation Hall. These ceremonies will be led by Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman, President of the UP System; Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, Chancellor of the UPOU; and other officials of the university.

On the second day, the Sub-Regional Forum on Open and Distance Learning (ODL) will be held. The Chief executives of UPOU, Universitas Terbuka (Malaysia), Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (Thailand), Open University Malaysia, and Hanoi Open University (Vietnam) shall talk about their respective institutions and their country's experiences in ODL. They will also share their personal reflections on ODL imperatives and directions in Southeast Asia. In the afternoon, UPOU will launch new knowledge products. This will be followed by the signing of memoranda with various government and private institutions.

The chief executives of the Southeast Asian open and distance learning institutions will again meet on 27 February 2009 to discuss the ASEAN Studies program they are developing. The ASEAN Studies program aims to promote regional and global understanding about ASEAN countries from the perspective of ASEAN; increase the ASEAN community's consciousness and awareness of its ties based on history, culture, and common regional identity; and obtain a balanced perspective in ASEAN studies.

The various anniversary activities will be held at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna. (Luisa A. Gelisan, OC)

Date posted: January 26, 2009