The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Honolulu explored academic partnerships and lifelong learning opportunities for overseas Filipinos in Hawaii during a courtesy meeting on 11 August 2026.
Chancellor Prof. Joane V. Serrano (third from left) and PCG Honolulu Consul General Arman R. Talbo (center) discuss potential areas of collaboration, together with FICS Dean Assoc. Prof. Roberto B. Figueroa Jr., UPOU ICTDO Director Assoc. Prof. Reinald Adrian DL. Pugoy, Deputy Consul General Pamela F. Durian-Bailon, and Political Assistant Elaine Justine L. Aldaya. (Photo courtesy of PCG Honolulu)
The discussions focused on lifelong learning opportunities for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Filipinos with dual citizenship through UPOU academic programs. The Consulate identified entrepreneurship and community building as potential training areas for OFWs, which may serve as areas for future collaboration.
The meeting also highlighted UPOU’s internationalization activities, including prospective projects with the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and Kapiʻolani Community College. These initiatives form part of UPOU’s continuing efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships in Hawaii, advance academic collaboration, and expand access to education to global learners.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for UPOU to share its participation in the International Conference for Media in Education (ICOME), held in Hawaii on 6-8 August 2026, where UPOU was introduced as an institutional board member.
UPOU Chancellor Prof. Joane V. Serrano presents an institutional token to PCG Honolulu Consul General Arman R. Talbo. (Photo courtesy of PCG Honolulu)
Present at the courtesy meeting were UPOU Chancellor Prof. Joane V. Serrano, Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Dean, Assoc. Prof. Roberto B. Figueroa, and Information and Communication Technology Development Office (ICTDO) Director Assoc. Prof. Reinald Adrian DL. Pugoy. The UPOU delegation was welcomed by PCG leaders, namely Consul General Arman R. Talbo, Deputy Consul General Pamela F. Durian-Bailon, and Political Assistant Elaine Justine L. Aldaya.
Written by Mary Rose Alingasa | Edited by Loren Jean Saludadez, Primo G. Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas | Photo Courtesy of PCG Honolulu)
