UNP Explored Distance Learning Practices Through Benchmarking with UPOU

On 16 December 2024, UP Open University (UPOU) conducted a benchmark meeting with the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) at UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. The UNP delegation, led by Dr. Dolores Bersamina, Dean, included Dr. Wilson Tolio, Assistant Dean; Ms. Sheila De Vera, Program Coordinator, Master of Arts in Social Work; Dr. Epifania Marlene Purisima, Program Coordinator, Master of Arts in Nursing; and Dr. Loraine Ann Madera – Program Coordinator, Master of Public Administration. 

They were welcomed by Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, and Dr. Myra Almodiel, Office of Public Affairs (OPA) Director at the UPOU Office of the Chancellor Conference Room. Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao, Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning (CODTL) Director, and Ms. Maelyn Pisueña, Quality Assurance Office (QAO) staff, joined virtually. 

The benchmarking session provided an opportunity for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, focusing on UPOU’s established practices in open and distance e-learning. The discussion focused on UPOU’s practices in the open and distance elearning including UPOU’s open sources, Learning Management Systems (LMS), academic calendar structure, faculty teaching loads, and enrollment processes. Chancellor Bandalaria also shared her experiences in managing virtual classrooms, highlighting effective methods for student evaluation and engagement in online education.

The UNP delegates expressed keen interest in UPOU’s transition from a print-based mode of distance education to a fully digital setup, which has become a benchmark for many institutions embracing digital learning. The discussion explored the measures to maintain academic integrity in distance learning even with the rise of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Aligned with RA 10650, the Open Distance Learning Act, and its dedication to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No. 4 (Quality Education) and No. 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), UPOU serves as a vital catalyst for collaboration among diverse institutions and organizations. These initiatives aim to provide inclusive, high-quality education while driving collective advancements in the education sector.

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Written by Marinela Hernandez ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas 

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