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ODeL in Action: Providing Access and Building Leadership in Social Work

2026-03-04T08:43:19+08:00

As part of Open Education Month, we feature a study by Dr. Finaflor Taylan showing how open and distance elearning (ODeL) helps Filipino social workers access graduate programs that fit their work and family schedules. Through UPOU’s flexible online learning, students gain skills, confidence, and leadership to deliver care and drive meaningful social change. Social workers play an important role in society. Not only do they facilitate the provision of care, but they also help maintain the social fabric by ensuring that the poor and marginalized are not overlooked and left behind. This is especially true in the Philippines, where [...]

ODeL in Action: Providing Access and Building Leadership in Social Work2026-03-04T08:43:19+08:00

Ka Sora: A graphic journey through Melchora Aquino’s life

2026-02-24T16:08:50+08:00

Celebrating National Arts Month, we spotlight the graphic novel Ka Sora and the story of Melchora Aquino, brought to life by Dr. Grace Alfonso. Recently, there has been a spate of movies depicting the heroic lives of our national heroes. While a few have been box-office hits, others have sparked controversy and ignited debates about the true purpose of bringing these biographical stories to life on film. The UP Open University contributed to this discourse not through films, but through the creation of the graphic novel Ka Sora, developed by Dr. Grace Alfonso, Professor Emeritus, former University Artist, and former [...]

Ka Sora: A graphic journey through Melchora Aquino’s life2026-02-24T16:08:50+08:00

Ani ng Sining, Katotohanan at Giting 2026: UPOU faculty reflect on art, education, and social change

2026-02-24T17:01:25+08:00

As the nation celebrates National Arts Month 2026 with the theme “Ani ng Sining, Katotohanan at Giting,” we spoke with three faculty artists from UP Open University (UPOU) about the role of art in education, society, and cultural change. UPOU celebrates the diversity of creative expression within its academic community where teaching, research, and artistry intersect. For this year’s National Arts Month, three faculty artists – Assistant Professor Roda Tajon,  Assistant Professor Shari Eunice San Pablo, and Assistant Professor Alice Sarmiento – are featured. Each represents a distinct yet intersecting art form: visual and digital art, literature, and art curatorship [...]

Ani ng Sining, Katotohanan at Giting 2026: UPOU faculty reflect on art, education, and social change2026-02-24T17:01:25+08:00

Rooted in service: How an IP returns to learning so he can return to serve

2026-02-19T14:14:13+08:00

Perfecto Ray D. Bayo, Jr., and the Indigenous Peoples Housing Project at the Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain Community. For Perfecto Ray D. Bayo, Jr., education was not simply about earning a degree. It was about transforming his circumstances and using that transformation to uplift others. A proud member of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) of Bukidnon, Ray grew up aware of the barriers faced by marginalized communities. Before completing his UP education, he experienced firsthand the consequences of limited opportunity and social exclusion. “As a member of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) and other marginalized communities, I have experienced firsthand the [...]

Rooted in service: How an IP returns to learning so he can return to serve2026-02-19T14:14:13+08:00

Emerging Technologies in Learning: Insights from Southeast Asian Students

2025-12-09T13:19:06+08:00

As futurist Alvin Toffler (1928–2016) once said, “technology is a great growling engine of change.” This observation is clearly evident in education, which, in the last few years, has seen the adoption of a wide array of new technologies, from interactive applications to artificial intelligence systems. But what kinds of technologies do students really want? A recent study explored this question by surveying 250 students from five different online universities in Southeast Asia about the new features they prefer in their learning management system.  Working under the collaborative research program of OU5, the study team was composed of Roberto Bacani [...]

Emerging Technologies in Learning: Insights from Southeast Asian Students2025-12-09T13:19:06+08:00

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
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