The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), in collaboration with the UP Resilience Institute (UPRI), recently concluded the first run of the Basics of Resilience (BoR) Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on 16 February 2024.

The Basics of Resilience is a basic course designed to equip learners with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to understand and effectively implement disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). This also encompasses the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) tools and frameworks. This course serves as the foundation upon which they can continue to develop specialized competencies and expertise in disaster and climate management.

The BoR MOOC attracted an impressive 11,322 participants, and about 30% of them successfully completed the course, totaling 3,420 students from various parts of the country. Most of the participants were from the National Capital Region (NCR), with Regions 4A and 3 also contributing significantly, hosting 674, 499, and 293 students, respectively. Interestingly, 74% of the participants were new to MOOCs, and many of them discovered the Basics of Resilience Course through social media platforms.

Given its success and the continued demand from our audience, the BoR MOOC will have its re-run in June 2024, with two additional MOOCs to be included in the BoR Series on the upcoming months titled: Disaster Risk Factors and RA 10121 (or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010), and the Pillars of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. These courses are aimed to diversify UPOU’s offerings and cater to the evolving needs and interests of our learners.

For more information about the free course offerings, please visit https://model.upou.edu.ph/ or stay tuned for announcements on https://www.facebook.com/upoumodel.

Written by Sydney Rovin Macahiya ♦ Edited by Larry N. Cruz ♦ Cross-posted from the UPOU FMDS Website

Sustainable Development Goals

#UPOpenUniversity

The IFSS 2025 formally concluded with a meaningful closing ceremony.UPOU Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, Chair of the IFSS 2025 Program Committee, delivered a synthesis of the forum, emphasizing the values aligned with the discussion areas of the IFSS2025. She ended with a call to continually act together for justice, for regeneration, for a future where everyone has just not food, but dignity, health, and the opportunity thrive.An exchange of institutional gifts was held among the representatives from UPOU, DOST, TUPV, STI West Negros University, and Negros Power.Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants of IFSS 2025.The Best Paper Award was conferred by Dr. Gerome Salas, member of the IFSS 2025 Paper Committee to the following winners:- Arwen Jover, Joval Martinez, Aran Jay Nonato, Raezel Harvey Pitong, and Angel Hope Robles with their paper entitled “Functional Characterization of Potassium Solubilization Potential of Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria for Sustainable Agricultural Biofertilizer Development." (Best Paper Award)- Thushari Senavirathna and Brian Dunsford with their paper entitled "Bamboo Pots (Bambusa vulgaris) as a Circular and Regenerative Alternative in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Nurseries." (2nd Best Paper Award)- Gregorio Crisostomo, Crizel Ann Biton, Henmark De la Cruz, Ma. Korina Claudia Hinayan, Ronald Ray Labayen, Charisse Pesquera, Jayboy Santillan, and Joel Manuel Villaluz with their paper entitled "Multi-Crop Powder Processing Machine for Enhancing the Value of Root Crops in Negros." (3rd Best Paper Award)The Best Poster Award was presented by Dr. Gerald Salas, Member of the IFSS 2025 Awards Committee, to Gregorio Crisostomo with his paper entitled “Development of a Portable Solar-Powered Mechanized Silk Reeling Device for Sustainable Silk Production of Rural Negros Island Farmers."The Best Sustainable Showcase Award of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair was presented by Engr. Glady T. Reyes, Co-Chair of the IFSS 2025 SDG Fair Committee, to Subay Marketing.Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug, Provincial Director of the DOST Negros Island Region, delivered his closing remarks with a hope that the seeds planted in IFSS 2025 continue to grow, flourish and bear fruit for generations to come.#IFSS2025 #Sustainability ... See MoreSee Less
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