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Official Signing: UPOU FEd and JFM Enter into Partnership Promising Quality and Accessible Instruction in Japanese Language Teaching

2026-01-13T14:00:40+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Japan Foundation Manila (JFM) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on 26 October 2025 for a project that will make Japanese Language Teaching (JLT) more accessible to the Filipino workforce through a series of nonformal, short course offerings under the UPOU Faculty of Education Continuing Education Program (FEdCEP). This project aims to address the growing demand for Japanese language proficiency in the country while promoting cultural appreciation and understanding between the Philippines and Japan through language education. The signing ceremony was led by the UPOU Chancellor, Prof. Joane V. Serrano; [...]

Official Signing: UPOU FEd and JFM Enter into Partnership Promising Quality and Accessible Instruction in Japanese Language Teaching2026-01-13T14:00:40+08:00

UPOU to Hold 29th Commencement Exercises this December 6

2025-11-19T16:31:16+08:00

UPOU 29th Commencement Exercises Poster The UP Open University (UPOU) will hold the last UP Commencement Exercises of the year on 6 December 2025. More than 700 students from across the Philippines and around the world will gather at UPOU’s headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, marking a milestone that is both personal for the graduates and historic for the university. For many in the Class of 2025—from the associate to doctoral programs—this event will be their first time stepping onto the UPOU campus. Among them are learners earning their first UP degree, as well as alumni completing their [...]

UPOU to Hold 29th Commencement Exercises this December 62025-11-19T16:31:16+08:00

Building a Sustainable Future: UPOU’s Commitment Highlighted at the Japanese Speakers’ Forum

2025-11-19T15:32:51+08:00

The Japan Foundation Manila (JFM) and Kamenori Foundation, in partnership with the UP Open University (UPOU), held the Japanese Speakers’ Forum in the Philippines at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna from 26-29 October 2025. During the opening program on Day 1, UPOU Chancellor, Dr. Joane V. Serrano, shared how UPOU has been working towards a sustainable university as one of its visions. In her presentation, she answered the question, How can an open university, one that primarily operates online and without the usual physical campus, meaningfully contribute to sustainable development? She shared how little by little, the UP [...]

Building a Sustainable Future: UPOU’s Commitment Highlighted at the Japanese Speakers’ Forum2025-11-19T15:32:51+08:00

Dr. Bandalaria Leads Accreditation Efforts and Showcases Microcredential Research at AAOU Conference 2025

2025-11-19T14:01:54+08:00

Dr. Bandalaria shares about the implementation of microcredentials at UPOU during the 38th AAOU Annual Conference in Beijing, China. (Photo from Dr. Bandalaria) UPOU continues to make an impact as a member of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) at the 38th AAOU Annual Conference held on 20-23 October 2025 in Beijing, China, where Dr. Melinda Dela Peña Bandalaria, Professor at the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies and former UPOU Chancellor, played an important role in quality assurance and showcased UPOU’s innovative approaches in lifelong learning. Dr. Bandalaria, Chair of the AAOU Accreditation Board, served as [...]

Dr. Bandalaria Leads Accreditation Efforts and Showcases Microcredential Research at AAOU Conference 20252025-11-19T14:01:54+08:00

UPOU Chancellor Attends 38th AAOU Conference: Governance, AI Panel, Accreditation Highlights

2025-11-19T13:45:52+08:00

UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano shares her insights on sustainable open education in the digital age. UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano represented the UP Open University in key activities at the 38th Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) Annual Conference, held on 20-23 October 2025 in Beijing, China, where she participated in a governance meeting, contributed to a panel in digital education, and formally accepted the university’s accreditation. AAOU Governance Chancellor Serrano’s engagement began with AAOU’s 39th Executive Committee Meeting held on 20 October 2025. The meeting included an extensive 15-item agenda aimed at shaping the association’s strategic [...]

UPOU Chancellor Attends 38th AAOU Conference: Governance, AI Panel, Accreditation Highlights2025-11-19T13:45:52+08:00

FMDS MAS Student Presents Research at the 2025 Wenzao International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies

2025-11-14T15:54:43+08:00

Mr. Aaron Joseph Castaño, a candidate for graduation from the Master of ASEAN Studies (MAS) program of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), recently represented the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) at the 2025 Wenzao International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies (ICSEAS) held on 16–18 October 2025 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The conference, hosted by Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, focused on the theme “Southeast Asian Dynamics of Governance, Cultural Values and Geopolitics.” Mr. Castaño presenting his Master’s thesis at the 2025 Wenzao ICSEAS. Presenting the results of his thesis titled “The Chairman’s Statements as Political Discourse: [...]

FMDS MAS Student Presents Research at the 2025 Wenzao International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies2025-11-14T15:54:43+08:00

UPOU QAO Director Gains Hands-On QA Insights at 20th AUN-QA Tier 2 Training

2025-11-14T15:04:23+08:00

Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie Cabanes, Director of the UPOU Quality Assurance Office (second from left), during the 20th Assessor Training Workshop for Accomplishing Programme Assessment (Tier 2) held at Mahidol University. Photo from AUN-QA. “Tier 2 allowed me to see firsthand what assessors look for in a program,” shared Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie Cabanes, Director of the Quality Assurance Office at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), reflecting on her experience at the 20th Assessor Training Workshop for Accomplishing Programme Assessment (Tier 2), held from 23 to 29 October 2025 at Mahidol University, Thailand. Attending as [...]

UPOU QAO Director Gains Hands-On QA Insights at 20th AUN-QA Tier 2 Training2025-11-14T15:04:23+08:00

UPOU’s “Ka Sora” MOOC Highlights the Legacy of Melchora Aquino

2025-11-14T12:02:45+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) continues to offer the “Ka Sora” Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) through its Massive Open Distance eLearning (MODeL) platform. Currently underway from November 1 to December 15, 2025, the course has engaged a growing number of learners exploring the life and contributions of Melchora Aquino, widely known as the Mother of the Philippine Revolution. The “Ka Sora” MOOC, based on the graphic novel by Dr. Grace J. Alfonso, examines Melchora Aquino’s historical role and situates it within broader discussions on women’s heroism, civic participation, and the continuing relevance of these values in contemporary [...]

UPOU’s “Ka Sora” MOOC Highlights the Legacy of Melchora Aquino2025-11-14T12:02:45+08:00

QAO Organizes Post-EQA Meetings and Writeshop to Drive Program-Level Enhancements

2025-11-14T09:56:33+08:00

The MDC SAR Writing Team, Project Staff, and the QAO Director, together with the QA Project Staff, attended the Post-EQA Writeshop 2025. The Quality Assurance Office (QAO) successfully conducted the Post-External Quality Assurance (Post-EQA) Writeshop for the Master of Development Communication (MDC) Program on 17 October 2025, with the Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) Writeshop scheduled this November. The activity brought together degree programs that recently underwent the External Quality Assurance (EQA) process. The MDC and DLUP SAR Writing Team, Project Staff, and the QAO Director, together with the QA Project Staff, [...]

QAO Organizes Post-EQA Meetings and Writeshop to Drive Program-Level Enhancements2025-11-14T09:56:33+08:00

UPOU to Host Prestigious World Conference on Distance Education in 2027

2025-11-14T14:26:47+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has been officially announced as the next host of the prestigious International Conference for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) World Conference in 2027. The announcement was made during the closing program of the 30th ICDE World Conference held on 10-13 November 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand. The ICDE World Conference is a biennial gathering of educators, experts, and policymakers on inclusive, scalable, and sustainable education with emphasis on open and distance learning. It serves as a platform to present research trends and innovations while fostering dialogues on policies that shape the future [...]

UPOU to Host Prestigious World Conference on Distance Education in 20272025-11-14T14:26:47+08:00
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