UPOU Chancellor and President of the Asian Association of Open Universities

Dr. Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and President of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), attended the second meeting of the AAOU Accreditation Task Force in Tangerang, Indonesia on 04 to 05 May 2018.

The meeting was hosted by Universitas Terbuka, whose Rector, Prof. Drs. Ojat Darojat, is a member of the Task Force, along with Prof. Shin Kisugi, President of the Open University of Japan; Prof. Dr. Samuel Anbahan Ariadurai, Vice-Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka; Dr. Li Kam-Cheong, University Research Center Director of the Open University of Hong Kong; and Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, Professor and Former Chancellor of the UPOU and Secretary-General of the AAOU.

The AAOU Accreditation Task Force is a team composed of representatives from the different regions of Asia chosen to conduct a feasibility study on AAOU offering open education accreditation services. With Dr. Bandalaria’s guidance, the team also aims to offer these services from a developmental perspective, giving AAOU member institutions the opportunity to improve their open education practices by providing consultation services to those in need.

Dr. Bandalaria will once again be meeting with the team in Hong Kong in July to make the necessary preparations for their final report on the study which will be presented during the 33rd AAOU Annual Executive Committee Meeting on 23 October 2018 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (MDCuling)

The IFSS 2025 formally concluded with a meaningful closing ceremony.UPOU Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, Chair of the IFSS 2025 Program Committee, delivered a synthesis of the forum, emphasizing the values aligned with the discussion areas of the IFSS2025. She ended with a call to continually act together for justice, for regeneration, for a future where everyone has just not food, but dignity, health, and the opportunity thrive.An exchange of institutional gifts was held among the representatives from UPOU, DOST, TUPV, STI West Negros University, and Negros Power.Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants of IFSS 2025.The Best Paper Award was conferred by Dr. Gerome Salas, member of the IFSS 2025 Paper Committee to the following winners:- Arwen Jover, Joval Martinez, Aran Jay Nonato, Raezel Harvey Pitong, and Angel Hope Robles with their paper entitled “Functional Characterization of Potassium Solubilization Potential of Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria for Sustainable Agricultural Biofertilizer Development." (Best Paper Award)- Thushari Senavirathna and Brian Dunsford with their paper entitled "Bamboo Pots (Bambusa vulgaris) as a Circular and Regenerative Alternative in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Nurseries." (2nd Best Paper Award)- Gregorio Crisostomo, Crizel Ann Biton, Henmark De la Cruz, Ma. Korina Claudia Hinayan, Ronald Ray Labayen, Charisse Pesquera, Jayboy Santillan, and Joel Manuel Villaluz with their paper entitled "Multi-Crop Powder Processing Machine for Enhancing the Value of Root Crops in Negros." (3rd Best Paper Award)The Best Poster Award was presented by Dr. Gerald Salas, Member of the IFSS 2025 Awards Committee, to Gregorio Crisostomo with his paper entitled “Development of a Portable Solar-Powered Mechanized Silk Reeling Device for Sustainable Silk Production of Rural Negros Island Farmers."The Best Sustainable Showcase Award of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair was presented by Engr. Glady T. Reyes, Co-Chair of the IFSS 2025 SDG Fair Committee, to Subay Marketing.Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug, Provincial Director of the DOST Negros Island Region, delivered his closing remarks with a hope that the seeds planted in IFSS 2025 continue to grow, flourish and bear fruit for generations to come.#IFSS2025 #Sustainability ... See MoreSee Less
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