What began as a partnership to expand access to education for Filipinos in Hong Kong is taking a concrete step forward. The Full Phils Association Inc., in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) System, through the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and University of the Philippines Ventures for International and Transformative Academia (UP VINTA), open a scholarship pathway for prospective UPOU associate program students.
The partnership was formally announced during the launch of UP VINTA in Hong Kong in August 2024, with UP and Full Phils sharing a commitment to support OFWs through scholarships and online education. Since then, the collaboration has continued through learning and community engagement initiatives aimed at bringing accessible educational opportunities closer to Filipinos in Hong Kong.
In July 2026, UPOU and Full Phils conducted the UP VINTA lecture-workshop, “LEVEL UP SI MARITES! Joining the Fight Against Fake News, Scams, and Malicious AI,” which provided OFWs with an opportunity to strengthen their digital literacy and become more critical and responsible users of social media and artificial intelligence.
Building on these continuing engagements, the partnership is now moving toward providing scholarship opportunities for prospective UPOU students in Hong Kong.
On 6 September 2026, UP VINTA, in collaboration with Full Phils, conducted the “Scholars’ Session: UP VINTA Online Learning Caravan,” bringing together 40 participants via Zoom who were interested in pursuing UPOU Associate Programs and becoming prospective Full Phils scholars.
Scholar’s Session participants together with UPOU Associate Program Chairs and representatives from UP VINTA and Full Phils via videoconference.
The session introduced participants to UPOU’s five Associate Programs: Associate in Arts (AA), Associate of Science in Instructional Design and Technology (ASIDT), Associate of Arts in Digital Design and Art (AADDA), Associate of Science in Information Technology (ASIT), and Associate of Arts in Digital Entrepreneurship (AADE).
UPOU Program Chairs and representatives introduced the 5 Associate Programs to the attendees of the Scholar’s Session on 6 September.
Program Chairs of the Associate Programs, Asst. Prof. Joel de Castro (AA), Asst. Prof. Lexter Mangubat (ASIDT), Asst. Prof. Shari Eunice San Pablo (AADDA), Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez, presenting on behalf of Asst. Prof. Lei Kristoffer Lactuan (ASIT), and Asst. Prof. Tricia Ascan (AADE), presented their respective programs to the prospective scholars.
The partnership between UPOU and Full Phils, since its announcement in 2024, has progressed to learning and community engagements. Now, it opens a scholarship pathway—demonstrating how sustained collaboration can translate shared commitments into concrete opportunities for overseas Filipinos.
Through UP VINTA, UPOU continues to strengthen partnerships that go beyond one-time engagements and create pathways toward accessible and flexible UP education for OFWs and their families.
Written by Maryrose Alingasa | Edited by Lorena Jean Saludadez, Primo G. Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas
