In line with its continuing efforts to promote innovative and sustainable policy research and learning initiatives, the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), will be organizing an upcoming hybrid webinar entitled “Launching of the FMDS Mentoring Hub”. This initiative is part of the FMDS’ Research Convo, scheduled on 23 October 2025 (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM) at the UPOU Audio-Visual Room (AVR), UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna and via Zoom.
This launching event marks the initial steps in the formal establishment of the research groups of Policy Innovation and Learning Laboratory for Sustainability (PILLS) as the mentoring hub of FMDS, for students and a multidisciplinary collaborative research engagement among FMDS faculty and with other Faculty of Studies (FoS) and external partners. The PILLS envisions addressing sustainability challenges in the Philippines and the ASEAN region through policy ideation, collaborative research, and capacity building. The formal launching of the research groups is essential in the establishment and operationalization of PILLS in FMDS to better communicate its benefits and mechanisms to stakeholders.
Invited speakers will include FMDS faculty members and students who are leading their own research groups. As one of the highlights, the established research groups under the FMDS will be shared with the UPOU community, including the Adaptive Research-Innovation Systems and Environments (ARISE) led by Assistant Professor Leo Mendel Rosario, FMDS Diploma in/Master of Research and Development Management (D/MR&DM) Program Chair.
The following related studies conducted by FMDS students drawn from the research groups of PILLS will also be highlighted.
- Embeddedness of Sustainability in the Philippine Innovation Policies
Engr. Mike Clester Perez, FMDS Doctor in Sustainability (DSus) Student and ARISE member
- Lived Experiences of Women Innovators of Agricultural Crop Processing Startups in the Cagayan Valley Region
Dr. Lilibeth Languido, FMDS MR&DM Student and ARISE member
- Understanding the Narratives of Women Role Models in the Regional Technology Startup Ecosystems (RTSEs) of the Philippines: A Phenomenological Approach
Heherson Paris Espana, FMDS MR&DM Student and ARISE member
Attendance is highly encouraged for the UPOU faculty members, students, staff, and partner institutions. Registration will be accessed via https://url.upou.edu.ph/PILLSReg until 17 October 2025 (Friday). Zoom credentials will be shared after your registration.
Written by FRaizza Anna Alforja • Edited by Larry N. Cruz
#UPOpenUniversity
