UPOU Chancellor Joane Serrano (center), with (L–R): Ms. Lovelyn Petrasanta, Dr. Fuvie Roja-Bayot, Dr. Berhana Flores, Dr. Juvy Lizette Gervacio, Dr. Benigno Agapito Jr., Ms. Eleanor P. Manipol, and Ma’am Carmelita A. Orias.
University (WMSU) held a ceremonial signing of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 16 February 2026 at the Audio-Visual Room of the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
UPOU and WMSU identified several potential areas of cooperation, including joint academic initiatives such as research and training, faculty and staff exchange programs, student exchange programs, consultancy and other technical services, as well as resource and information sharing.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Joane Serrano, UPOU Chancellor; Dr. Juvy Lizette Gervacio, Director of the UPOU Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning (CODTL); Dr. Berhana Flores, Officer-in-Charge for the WMSU Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and concurrent Chief of Staff, WMSU Office of the President; and Dr. Fuvie Roja-Bayot, Director of WMSU Distance Education/Open University System.
UPOU Chancellor Joane Serrano highlighted the longstanding partnership with WMSU in her message
In her message, Chancellor Serrano acknowledged the colleagues and partners present and expressed her gratitude for the continued collaboration. She noted that this partnership builds on an existing relationship, as WMSU has long served as one of UPOU’s partner learning centers where courses were delivered through tutorials. She emphasized that the MOU provides an opportunity for UPOU to further expand its reach beyond Luzon and strengthen engagement with universities in Mindanao. She also underscored that the partnership is mutually beneficial, with UPOU likewise looking forward to learning from WMSU’s expertise, and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to sustaining meaningful and inclusive collaborations.
Dr. Berhana Flores shares her insights about the partnership.
Dr. Flores shared her insights on the partnership as she warmly greeted and acknowledged everyone present. She emphasized that learning should have no boundaries and should not be constrained by time and space, underscoring the importance of technology-enabled instruction in expanding access to education. She reiterated that UPOU and WMSU share a strong belief and commitment to widening the reach of higher education. On behalf of WMSU, she also expressed heartfelt gratitude for the trust and generosity extended to the University, affirming WMSU’s continuing efforts to uphold excellence and further elevate its academic offerings.
Principal signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding from UPOU and WMSU.
The ceremony concluded with an exchange of tokens between the two institutions, symbolizing appreciation, shared vision, and the trust that will guide the partnership as UPOU and WMSU move forward together.
Through a collective commitment to empowerment, collaboration, and excellence, UPOU ensures that its teaching, research, public service, operations, and administration drive meaningful transformation.
Written by Marinela Hernandez | Edited by Anna Cañas-Llamas | Photos by Dianne Cosinas
