Two hundred sixty-five newly admitted students, with family and friends, visited the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) headquarters on 28 July 2018 for this year’s Student Orientation and Campus Tour. In addition to those who attended physically, 153 newly admitted students attended the orientation via web streaming.
Spearheaded by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), in cooperation with the UPOU Faculty Offices, Office of the University Registrar, Information Office, Multimedia Center and Library, the 2018 Student Orientation and Campus Tour was conducted to acquaint new students with their new university and prepare them for the non-traditional mode of learning via distance education.
The day officially began at the UPOU Community Hub with the Campus Tour. Since UPOU employs online education, the event may be one of the few times the students will be setting foot on their new alma mater. Their short walking trip rounded the different offices and landmarks of the university and ended at the CCDL Auditorium where the Student Orientation was physically held.
Video messages from the UPOU officials were shown, starting from Chancellor Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Melinda Lumanta, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Jean Saludadez, and the Deans of the Faculty Offices — Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao for the Faculty of Education (FEd), Dr. Alexander Flor for the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), and Dr. Primo Garcia for the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS). A short video about UPOU was played then the Director of Office of Student Affairs (OSA), Ms. Yasele Yambao, gave an overview about the UPOU. The Director of the Information Office, Dr. Joane V. Serrano, explained about the ODeL Framework and Asst. Prof. Aurora Lacaste, the University Registrar, presented the UPOU Academic Information and Basic Processes, especially how the Online Registration System works.
Being a student of UPOU means using UPOU’s online learning management system, better known as the MyPortal. Asst. Prof. Al-Francis D. Librero, Director of the ICT Development Office explained all these and walked through the different features of MyPortal. Last but not the least, Asst. Prof. Roja L. Rivera, Program Chair, Bachelor of Education Studies delved through the study skills needed by UPOU students.
In order to further encourage the new students, Mr. Keizer Ancajas, a continuing Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies student and Mr Jerry Donato, a Doctor of Communication student and the current President of the UPOU Alumni Foundation, Inc., shared their experiences about being students of UPOU and how they coped with the challenges of online learning, even while working.
The afternoon session was devoted to Faculty and Program Orientation where students met their Deans, Faculty Secretaries, Program Chairs, and UPOU faculty members who will be supporting them in their journey with UPOU. FEd held their orientation at the Oblation Hall for the newly admitted students of the following programs: Associate in Arts, Bachelor of Education Studies, Diploma in Language and Graduate Certificate in Distance Education, Literacy Education, Diploma in Social Science Education, Master of Distance Education, PhD in Education and the Professional Teaching Certification.
FICS held its orientation at the CCDL Auditorium and The Sandbox for students of Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies, Diploma in Computer Science, Master of Development Communication, Master of Information Systems and Doctor of Communication programs.
FMDS held its orientation at the Audio-visual Room. Students who attended were newly admitted to the following programs: Graduate Certificate in ASEAN Studies, Diploma in Research and Development Management, Diploma in International Health, Diploma in Social Work, Master of Social Work, Master of ASEAN Studies, Master of International Health, Master of Arts in Nursing, and Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management.
The entire orientation was live streamed and is available online via UPOU Networks. (KBAncajas & ACLlamas)
