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UPOU Participates in Advancing SDG Conversations at UP Strategic Conference on Sustainable Development

2025-11-28T15:53:42+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) continued its efforts to promote sustainable development by participating in the University of the Philippines (UP) Strategic Conference on Sustainable Development, held from 18 to 20 November 2025, at the ibis Styles Manila Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City. With the theme “Sustainable Development as a Nexus of Transformation,” the conference highlights the University of the Philippines' vision of being a "Transformative University in the Service of the Nation.”  Hosted by the UP-Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (UP-CIFAL Philippines), it follows a system-wide effort initiated in December 2024 to [...]

UPOU Participates in Advancing SDG Conversations at UP Strategic Conference on Sustainable Development2025-11-28T15:53:42+08:00

UPOU Chancellor Highlights Need to Turn Access to Impact

2025-11-26T08:38:57+08:00

Is providing access to education enough? Does it lead to real and lasting impact? These are the questions that UPOU Chancellor, Dr. Joane V. Serrano, raised in her recent presentations in two international academic forums. She noted that in the early years, open and distance education focused on expanding access so that more people can participate in learning. Today, however, Chancellor Serrano said that the sector has now reached a stage where access must translate into meaningful and sustainable outcomes and impacts.  Preparing students for these challenges can be guided by the International University Social Responsibility (iUSR) — a framework [...]

UPOU Chancellor Highlights Need to Turn Access to Impact2025-11-26T08:38:57+08:00

Inside the UPOU Library: Bringing Knowledge Resources to Learners

2025-11-13T14:01:30+08:00

As part of the celebration of the 35th Library and Information Services Month, we take a closer look at the UPOU Library. As an institution of open learning, UPOU has transformed the way library services have been provided to its students. It has also harnessed technology to curate and disseminate open educational resources. In a world where new technologies are reshaping the way we find and use information, the question arises:  What roles does the “library of the future” play? You may be wondering how UPOU provides library services to its students. Does UPOU even have a library? If UPOU [...]

Inside the UPOU Library: Bringing Knowledge Resources to Learners2025-11-13T14:01:30+08:00

UPOU Students Explore Digital Activism Through Online Rally

2025-10-24T14:25:39+08:00

Placards denouncing corruption, political dynasties, and budget cuts in education were being waved. It was a protest not on the streets but on an online platform. The days of digital student activism have arrived. On 17 October 2025, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) University Student Council (USC) organized in-game marches to denounce corruption and call for free, quality, nationalist education.  Where it All Happened The virtual rally took place on Roblox, an online gaming platform that also allows users to make spaces and events that reflect social issues.  “Yes, it's a gaming platform, although its experiences are [...]

UPOU Students Explore Digital Activism Through Online Rally2025-10-24T14:25:39+08:00

The Gender Divide in Academic Research

2025-10-09T16:40:58+08:00

Today, universities are expected not only to teach but also to generate knowledge through research. Studies indicate that research enables universities not only to generate new knowledge but also to tackle pressing societal problems and ground their teaching in real-world situations. Research productivity in most developing countries is still low despite institutional support. The Philippines ranked sixth out of the 10 ASEAN members in terms of journal publications. A shortage of researchers and financial resources are major factors behind low research productivity in the Global South.  While academics require funding, dedicated research time, career incentives, and supportive mentoring and training [...]

The Gender Divide in Academic Research2025-10-09T16:40:58+08:00

UPOU DLUP Alumna Ranks Third in August 2025 EPLE

2025-10-08T14:54:47+08:00

Maria Elena J. Sumisim, Project Evaluation Officer IV at the Provincial Planning and Development Office of the Provincial Government of Isabela, achieved an outstanding feat by ranking Top 3 in the August 2025 Environmental Planning Licensure Examination (EPLE). A graduate of the Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) program of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Ms. Sumisim credits her success to hard work, faith, and the strong support of her mentors, peers, and family. Maria Elena J. Sumisim, UPOU DLUP Alumna and Top 3 in the August 2025 EPLE Ms. Sumisim vividly recalls how she [...]

UPOU DLUP Alumna Ranks Third in August 2025 EPLE2025-10-08T14:54:47+08:00

From Environmental Information to Life Saving Decisions

2026-04-14T07:57:21+08:00

On 28 September, the world observes the International Day for Universal Access to Information with the theme “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age.” We asked Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao, Professor and Chair of the Doctor of Sustainability program, to share his insights on how accessible environmental information can help tackle today’s major natural and human-made challenges. In the middle of December of 2011, Typhoon Sendong traversed the Northern Mindanao region and eventually struck Cagayan de Oro. It was considered a mild tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 100 km/hour. What made it devastating, though, was the volume [...]

From Environmental Information to Life Saving Decisions2026-04-14T07:57:21+08:00

Cinema as Catalyst for Peace

2026-04-14T07:57:34+08:00

In observance of the International Day of Peace and the UP Day of Remembrance on 21 September 2025, we share faculty members’ perspectives on peace —  its importance and how it shapes their work. In this piece, Assistant Professor Benigno B. Agapito Jr. of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies shares his insights on the power of film in sparking discussions on addressing challenges to genuine peace. In the closing scene of the Mike de Leon film Sister Stella L, the character played by actress Vilma Santos, with the camera fixed on her face, delivers these lines: “May [...]

Cinema as Catalyst for Peace2026-04-14T07:57:34+08:00

Teaching Students the True Meaning of Peace

2026-04-14T07:57:48+08:00

In observance of the International Day of Peace and the UP Day of Remembrance on 21 September 2025, we share faculty members’ perspectives on peace —  its importance and how it shapes their work. In this piece, Associate Professor Aleta Villanueva of the UPOU Faculty of Education shares her insights on how peace can be taught to students. When we talk about peace, it is often associated with the absence of war or conflict. Among older Filipinos, “peacetime” was used to describe such a period. It specifically refers to the period before the outbreak of the Second World War, [...]

Teaching Students the True Meaning of Peace2026-04-14T07:57:48+08:00

UPOU Graduate Tops August 2025 Environmental Planners Licensure Exam

2025-10-01T14:37:21+08:00

Ms. Irel Fortugaleza Manansala, a graduate of the Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) from UP Open University (UPOU) topped the Environmental Planners Licensure Examination in August 2025 as announced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on 22 August 2025. UPOU also ranked first among the top-performing schools, garnering an average passing rate of 98.36 percent. Ma. Elena J. Sumisim, another UPOU alumna, ranked third. Ms. Manansala, who is a Development Management Officer IV at the Bayawan City Planning and Development Office in Negros Oriental, shared her reaction upon receiving the news: “At about 10 pm, someone finally announced that [...]

UPOU Graduate Tops August 2025 Environmental Planners Licensure Exam2025-10-01T14:37:21+08:00
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