Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, Director IV, Director of Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) (fifth from left) and Dr. Joane V. Serrano (fourth from right) with the members of the UPOU Chancellor’s Advisory Council during the visit to CHED.
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) discussed ways to strengthen capacity-building and academic pathways for higher education institutions (HEIs) implementing open and distance learning (ODL) in the Philippines.
Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, CESE and Director IV of CHED Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD) met with UPOU Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano and members of the UPOU Chancellor’s Advisory Council to discuss a more systematic approach to building the capacity of institutions, faculty members, administrators, and support personnel to deliver quality ODL, in line with Republic Act No. 10650 (Open Distance Learning Act).
UPOU presented a capacity-building framework, which combines foundational training with graduate-level pathways in distance education. Beyond short-term training, the framework includes the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in Distance Education (GCDE) and the Master of Distance Education (MDE), with the GCDE providing a flexible pathway for further study toward MDE. Through these programs, UPOU aims to help HEIs build sustainable internal capacity for ODL implementation.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of strengthening quality assurance mechanisms for institutions offering distance education. UPOU and CHED explored clearer capacity-building standards, recognized microcredentials, and the development of regional quality assurance personnel trained in ODL principles and standards. A potential formal CHED-UPOU partnership was also discussed to further define UPOU’s role in supporting national capacity building for ODL, and projects on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for education.
The meeting also looked ahead to the 31st International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) World Conference, which UPOU will host in Cebu in November 2027. The parties explored opportunities to connect conference participation with continuing professional and institutional development, including possible credit-hour equivalency and post-conference mentoring that would help participating HEIs translate international insights into concrete institutional action plans.
Moving forward, UPOU and CHED will continue discussions on the proposed capacity-building framework, relevant guidelines, regional quality assurance mechanisms, and initiatives related to ICDE 2027.
Through stronger collaboration, UPOU and CHED seek to help Philippine HEIs develop the expertise, systems, and quality assurance mechanisms necessary to deliver accessible, responsive, and quality open and distance learning.
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas | Edited by Primo G. Garcia and Margaret Jarmin-Suarez
