The University of the Philippines Open University is searching for its next Chancellor. Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, the Incumbent Chancellor, will complete her term by 28 February 2025. As part of the process, Dr. Bandalaria presented her accomplishments, priorities, and challenges during her third and last term as Chancellor, held on 11 November 2024 via Zoom and streamed via FB live.
With the ongoing search for the Next Chancellor of UPOU, the lone nominee, Dr. Joane V. Serrano, presented her visions, plans, and programs. The presentation was done online via Zoom and live on UPOU’s Facebook Page.
Dr. Serrano is a Professor 2 at UP Open University and the current Dean of the UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies. Dr. Serrano is a highly accomplished leader in higher education with almost 30 years of experience in government service and 10 years of academic, administrative, and leadership experience. Her vision for UPOU in the next three years is titled “Transformative University of the Future.”
Four main components comprise her Vision for UPOU. These include Sustainable and Resilient University; LearningUniversity; Entrepreneurial University; and Healthy University. She explained in detail how she plans to implement each component and emphasized how each component is equally important and will contribute to research and innovation, teaching and learning, and public engagement. Dr. Serrano added that the pillars on which these components are built include UPOU’s Mission and Vision, UPOU’s Values, the ODeL Worldview, the UP Flagship Programs, and RAs 10650 and 9500.
Dr. Serrano also emphasized in her presentation how people or the UPOU constituents are at the heart of this vision- faculty, REPS, Administrative Staff, COS, Students, Alumni, partners, and other stakeholders. She maintained throughout her presentation to provide a supportive, inclusive, and sustainable environment that will allow the people to fulfill their potential to contribute effectively to the mission and mandate of UPOU.
After her presentation, the floor was open to all questions from the attendees. Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, Chair of the Search Committee moderated the session and read the questions and the comments sent through Facebook. The sector representatives who comprised the Search Committee also raised their questions. Other members of the community also presented their queries. Dr. Serrano answered each question as clearly as she could, including how her plans will
The presentation of the nominee’s visions, plans, and programs ended with announcing the schedule of succeeding activities related to the Search for the Next Chancellor of UPOU.
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Edited by Dr. Myra C. Almodiel
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