OVCAA officials and staff members during its strategic planning on 25-26 July 2025 at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) held its strategic planning on 25-26 July 2025 at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City. The two-day event was attended by the heads and key staff of the different units under OVCAA – Research and Publication, Instruction, Office of Student Affairs, Office of the University Registrar, Linkages, Library, and the Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning, in a focused effort to align the unit’s goals with UPOU’s vision and set strategic directions for the coming years.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Aurora Lacaste
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Aurora Lacaste, in her opening remarks, underscored the importance of aligning academic functions with UPOU’s commitment to quality, innovation, and inclusivity in Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL). The sessions featured presentations on consolidated institutional plans, followed by breakout discussions, and unit reports.
Dr. Leo Mendel Rosario, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Instruction
In his synthesis, Dr. Leo Mendel Rosario emphasized the value of the shared insights and reaffirmed the importance of strategic agility, inclusive leadership, and sustainable innovation.
Vice Chancellor Lacaste concluded the event highlighting the key strengths and institutional features of UPOU as an academic institution:
- Clear and distinct academic identity
- High-quality course sites and learning packages
- Diverse and flexible learning offerings
- Innovative and inclusive assessment practices
- Robust ODeL research and scholarly output
- Integrated digital libraries and repositories
- Comprehensive ODeL student life cycle support
- Competent and future-ready ODeL faculty and staff
- Streamlined, automated and responsive academic and administrative processes
- Strategic and impactful local and global academic partnerships
Through this strategic planning activity, the OVCAA reaffirms its commitment to nurturing a future-ready university—grounded in its academic identity and strengthened by collaborative, transformative leadership.
Written by Jessa Perez | Edited by Aurora Lacaste and Alvie Alip
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