News

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) engaged in a series of meetings with various open universities in the ASEAN Region last 21 July 2022 and 25 July 2022. The aim of the meetings is to solidify the future plans in providing distance education for the learners in the region. Spearheaded in 2014 through the inking of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), the Open University 5 (OU5) aims to conduct several collaborative studies on the ASEAN dynamics, to review current policies, standards and guidelines of the region’s governments, ministries, and commissions in higher education, and to help stakeholders [...]

> The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) in partnership with the Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) conducted a seminar entitled “Establishing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as Platforms for Engagements on Local Governance and Gender Development” on 19 July 2022 in a hybrid set-up. The speaker of the event was Mr. Arturo Guerrero Trance Liñan, Program Coordinator of the Center for Agrarian Reform, Empowerment and Transformation (CARET). Mr. Liñan discussed the changes and the importance of citizen engagement towards the development of our country. The webinar was hosted and moderated by  Ms. Gelyzza Marie Diaz, OGC Staff. Dr. Finaflor [...]

The fifth installment of the Revitalizing Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) webinar series discussed the importance of women’s role in biodiversity conservation and natural resources management concentration in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). It was held on 28 July 2022 via Zoom.  The webinar was graced by Ms. Sysomphane Sengthavideth, Environment Outreach Consultant at GFA Consulting Group, and Dr. Finaflor Taylan, Director of Office and Gender Concerns of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), to discuss the frameworks and strategies for broadening women empowerment in natural resources management.  There are factors that limit women’s participation in [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academics Affairs (OVCAA), spearheaded the Roundtable Discussions (RTD) on Micro-Credentialing on 26 July 2022 via Zoom. During its first session, the activity centered on the Articulation and Integration of Micro-Credentialing in UPOU which would be quintessential in helping learners in forming their skillset and engaging in lifelong learning. The discussion proper started with Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS). She delved into the definition and role of micro-credentialing in the global perspective as it aims to [...]

Dr. Inocencio Buot Jr., University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Affiliate Professor from UP Los Baños (UPLB) and former Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS)-UPOU, served as editor and writer of a book titled “Plant Genetic Resources, Inventory, Collection, and Conservation.” Five of the 23 published chapters were also written by UPOU faculty members, including Dr. Buot himself. The book was co-edited by Dr. Siva Ramamoorthy and Dr. Rajasekaran Chandrasekaran of Vellore Institute of Technology, India, and was published by SpringerLink — an online collection of peer-reviewed journal articles and book series in the sciences, social sciences, [...]

How can trails be used to make sense of heritage—tangible and intangible—for the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs)? This was what Dr. Joane Serrano, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), and Dr. John Martin, UPOU Visiting Professor from the University of Plymouth, United Kingdom aimed to illustrate in the book chapter titled, “Heritage Trails: Pathways to Sustainable Development Goals.” The chapter was co-authored by Jacqueline Nowakowski, a professional freelance archaeologist and educator, and by Dominica Williamson, an interdisciplinary artist called Ecogeographer in sustainable design. It was part [...]

Dr. Consuelo dL. Habito, Professor and Program Chair of the Diploma in/Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), participated as an Additional Replicator during the RURITAGE Final Conference on 8-12 June 2022 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. RURITAGE is a 4-year project which aims to sustainably enhance and develop the cultural and national heritage potential of rural areas through a heritage-led regeneration approach. The project is part of the Horizon 2020, a research and innovation programme funded by the European Union. As an Additional Replicator, Dr. [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Chancellor, Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, spoke at the recently concluded seminar entitled, “Micro-Credentials in Thai Higher Education: Opportunities, Challenges and Outlooks from ASEAN and Europe.” The event was held on 20-21 July 2022 at the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel in Thailand. Dr. Bandalaria was one of the plenary speakers for Session 7 entitled, “ASEAN Case Studies.” Dr. Bandalaria discussed micro-credentialing in the Philippines. She shared about its various articulations, the early models of micro-credentialing at UPOU, the drivers for doing it, the current initiatives and models that are being [...]