The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) facilitated a consultation meeting with the National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (NITESD-TESDA) on 18 October 2024, held both via Zoom and in person at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
The TESDA delegation, led by Dr. David Bungallon, Executive Director of NITESD, together with Ms. Bianca Himaya Luna, Supervising TESD Specialist, and Mr. Billy Andrew Buenaflor, met with Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, and Dr. Myra Almodiel, Director of the UPOU Office of Public Affairs (OPA). During the meeting, the TESDA representatives sought insights on matters related to scholarships, program offerings, and system design for instruction in open and distance learning, including the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled instruction, while still underscoring the importance of the course coordinators in terms of assessment. Chancellor Bandalaria shared about UPOU’s practices in course offerings in distance education, highlighting the significant aid of technology. Director Almodiel also emphasized the crucial role of facilitators in the Learning Management System (LMS). “Technologies should only assist the learning process,” Chancellor Bandalaria stated.
UPOU is actively involved in building partnerships with other educational institutions and organizations, aligning with the goals of Republic Act 10650 and the United Nations to improve education and foster collaboration. UPOU’s efforts focus on providing high-quality, accessible education to a broad audience, while also working with partners to advance education as a whole.
Written by Marinela S. Hernandez ♦ Edited by Dr. Myra C. Almodiel ♦ Photo by Anna Mhari Duria
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