University of Batangas Explores Collaboration Opportunities with UPOU in Open and Distance Education

The University of Batangas (UB) embarked on a visit to the UP Open University (UPOU) to explore potential collaborations and tap into UPOU’s expertise in providing open and distance education. This was held on 22 June 2023 at the UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna.

Leading the UB team was Dir. Carl Ivan B. Villanueva from UB’s Distance Education department. The team was provided knowledge about UPOU’s practices, methodologies, and affiliations with various partner institutions and consortia. Facilitating the discussion was UPOU Chancellor Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, accompanied by Dr. Myra Almodiel, Director of Office of Public Affairs, and Ms. Margaret Jarmin Suarez, Program Development Associate for Institutional Linkages.

Chancellor Bandalaria offered valuable advice to the UB team, emphasizing the significance of joining open and distance education organizations and stressing the importance of establishing connections with other institutions to foster fruitful partnerships and knowledge exchange.

As part of the visit, the UB team was given a brief tour of UPOU’s Multimedia Room, guided by Mr. Lexter Mangubat, Deputy Director for the Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning (CODTL) Educational Media Production (EMP). Mr. Mangubat provided useful insights into the equipment and processes involved in multimedia production.

Completing the UB team were Mr. Charles Leoj Roxas, UBDE Learner and Faculty Support Head, and Ms. Daisy Ilagan, UBDE Academic Programs Head.

In line with its mandate under RA 10650 also referred to as the “Open Distance Learning Law” and initiatives to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals no. 4 and 17, UPOU continually bridges different organizations and institutions with relevant mechanisms and supporting services to provide access to quality education.

Written by Lovelyn P. Petrasanta ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel ♦ Photos by Anna Mhari C. Duria

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