As the demand for accessible, high-quality education continues to grow, Open University 5 (OU5) stands at the forefront of a transformative shift in learning. Designed to meet the evolving needs of students, professionals, and lifelong learners, OU5 is a group of 5 five open universities in Southeast Asia built on a foundation of inclusivity, innovation, and academic excellence. With a flexible curriculum, cutting-edge digital platforms, and a commitment to empowering individuals regardless of location or background, OU5 redefines what it means to pursue higher education. Through its dynamic approach, the university fosters a learning environment where knowledge is not just acquired but applied—bridging theory and practice in meaningful, real-world contexts.
Origins
In the season of the ASEAN Charter ratification from 2007 to 2008, five open universities came together in April 2008 to discuss a proposal for a unified ASEAN Studies Program to be offered from their units to all ASEAN members and even outside the region. These founding universities were Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia), Open University Malaysia, University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (Thailand), and Hanoi Open University (Vietnam).
The OU5 Research Group with UPOU Former Chancellor Grace Javier Alfonso (seated 2nd from left) (Photo courtesy of Dr. Jean Saludadez)
The following year, at the UP Open University in Los Baños, Laguna, representatives from each member university met again to distribute the courses that each will be developing for the program:
- UP Open University for ASEAN Studies I and II
- Open University Malaysia for Comparative Study of History, Culture and Religion in ASEAN Countries
- Universitas Terbuka for Comparative Study of Social Economic and Political Systems
- Hanoi Open University for Comparative Study of the Geography and Natural Resources of ASEAN
In January 2010 during the meeting in Hanoi, the Masters of ASEAN Studies program was instituted in their respective units. In September of the same year, non-curricular matters were discussed, such as program management, learning platforms, evaluation, and governance for the said program.
By July 2011 in Yogyakarta, the term OU5 was coined standing for Open University 5. This was the moment when they prepared their vision of a unified graduate program to be proposed at the ASEAN Summit to be held in November at Bali. During their presentation it was cited that this endeavor was contributory to the educational aspiration of the ASEAN community, particularly Article 1, par. 1 of the ASEAN Charter: “to develop human resources through closer cooperation in education and lifelong learning, and in science and technology, for the empowerment of the peoples of ASEAN and for the strengthening of the ASEAN Community.”
OU5’s Purpose
From one graduate course, the OU5 Consortium evolved to become “a beacon of intellectual discourse forming a dynamic, positive, and productive community… dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and innovations,” declared UT’s Rector Ojat Darogat (2021-2025). Aside from the Certificate and Master in ASEAN Studies program, OU5 has also achieved several rounds of research collaborations since 2016 (see related story) to achieve their vision of providing flexible learning methods, affordable tuition fees, and national and international open distance quality assurance. Research themes began from the building blocks of open and distance education to integrating artificial intelligence and addressing social issues for the citizens, the aging and marginalized sectors.
UPOU Former Chancellor Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria (7th from right) with the OU5 Research Group Meeting in 2023.
The ASEAN Studies Program
Unlike other curricular offerings, this unique program was developed as a collaborative effort of the OU5 to provide quality education with an authentic local experience, which embodies the consortium’s slogan, “The ASEAN Way”.
UPOU first offered the program in August 2014, after the UP Board of Regents’ approval in February of that year. Immediately, UPOU admitted 75 students across the globe.
This Graduate Certificate and Master’s Degree provide students with “regional and global understanding about ASEAN countries from the perspective of ASEAN.” The program highlights historical, cultural, and regional identity for a balanced worldview of the ASEAN community. It also covers geography and national resources, social, economic and political identities.
The program is open to any interested parties, like diplomats, policy analysts, educators, and public servants. They can enrol in any of the five universities, with the option to easily cross-register to the other universities without hassle. The program is managed by the home university. The medium of instruction is in English.
Future Visions
Today, these five universities still hold the vision of a unified ASEAN consortium continuing the visions of their predecessors. It is now headed by the following leaders of each member university:
- Universitas Terbuka with Dr. Mohamad Yunus, Rector
- Open University Malaysia with Dr. Ahmad Izanee Awang, President
- UP Open University with Dr. Joane Serrano, Chancellor
- Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University with Dr. Chailerd Pichitpornchai, President
- Hanoi Open University with Dr. Thu Ha Nguyen, President
Recently, OU5 had its Research Cycle 2026 retreat in Penang, Malaysia (see related story). In her opening remarks during the meeting, UPOU Chancellor Joan V. Serrano reaffirmed the university’s continued support for OU5:
“We’ve already done so much together—through collaborative research, capacity-building, and joint initiatives. As the new Chancellor of UPOU, I want to express my full support for the OU5 initiatives. I’m also open to exploring even more opportunities for collaboration, beyond the research groups we currently have.”
From humble beginnings, discussing the foundations of a unique graduate program, the OU5 is now exploring artificial intelligence, microcredentials, and nanolearning. Other concerns for the diversified populace were also opened, such as soft skills of the aging population, education for the disadvantaged groups, and mental wellness of open and distance learners. These are the evidence that OU5 is truly the vanguard of world advancement, if not the game changers of the education sector.
Chancellor Joane V. Serrano with the four University heads of the OU5 Research Group. (Source)
As Open University 5 continues to push the boundaries of research and innovation, its commitment to accessible, high-quality education remains unwavering. With every breakthrough, OU5 is not just shaping the future of learning—it is redefining what education can be. As the world evolves, so too will the research and ideas that drive OU5 forward, ensuring that knowledge remains a tool for empowerment, equity, and global progress.
Written by Leah Labastilla ♦ Edited by Primo Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas
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