Photo by Bong Arboleda, UP MPRO
Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, Professor of Development Communication and Chancellor at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), was honored as UP Scientist III at a ceremony organized by the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) for the latest batch of awardees under the Scientific Productivity System (SPS) 2023-2025. The event, themed “UP Scientists: Catalysts of Innovation for Public Service,” took place on 10 January 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at the Ignacio B. Gimenez – KAL (IBG-KAL) Theater, UP Diliman, Quezon City.
The UP Scientific Productivity System (SPS), approved by the Board of Regents in August 2005, aims to foster the development of science and technology while encouraging and rewarding scientific productivity among faculty and researchers.
UP Scientists are recognized in different categories based on their scientific contributions and achievements. The awards include UP University Scientist I, UP University Scientist II, and UP University Scientist III.
Dr. Melinda dP. Bandalaria, Chancellor of UP Open University, was awarded UP Scientist III in recognition of her exceptional contributions to Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) and Quality Frameworks. Her work has been instrumental in advancing ODeL in the Philippines, making quality education more inclusive and accessible to diverse learners. Notably, she developed contextualized models and frameworks based on the principles of MOOCs, zoominars, microcredentialing, and other innovative learning activities, ensuring the quality of lifelong learning through ODeL. Acknowledging her significant impact, she received the Meritorious Service Award from the Asian Association of Open Universities and the Award of Excellence from the International Council for Open and Distance Education in 2021.
The ceremony was attended by over a hundred awardees and experts; and officials from various UP constituent universities, including UP Baguio, UP Cebu, UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UP Manila, UP Mindanao, UP Open University, and UP Visayas. Dr. Myra D. Oruga, UPOU’s Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Research and Publications, also attended the ceremony on behalf of Vice Chancellor Primo G. Garcia.
UPOU faculty members recognized as UP Scientists in the past were former UPOU Chancellor and Professor Emeritus Felix Librero, Prof. Ricardo T. Bagarinao, Prof. Sheila R. Bonito, Professor Emeritus Alexander Flor, and Prof. Patricia B. Arinto.
These distinguished awardees made significant contributions to advancing research, education, health, communication, and technology in the country.
Written by Marian Tatlonghari ♦ Edited by Dr. Primo Garcia, Ms. Alvie Alip, and Ms. Yasele Yambao ♦ Photo by Bong Arboleda, UP MPRO♦ Contributed by OVCAA
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