The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Office of Public Affairs (OPA) conducted a training regarding the UPOU Visual Identity Guideline (VIG) held on 5 March 2024, at the Oblation Hall. The training aimed to inform the UPOU faculty and staff on the proper and legal use of the UPOU Visual Identity, based on the University of the Philippines (UP) VIG used by the UP System. As a comprehensive manual, it provides guidelines for all UP units regarding the appropriate use of symbols and signs that signify UP’s esteemed status as the nation’s leading higher education institution and the sole national university.
To start the program, Dr. Myra C. Almodiel, OPA Director, delivered the welcome remarks. She highlighted the significance of branding and the importance of complying with UP and UPOU VIG. Following this, Ms. Anna Mhari Duria, Ms. Marinela Hernandez, and Ms. Zyrene Edrei Villanueva led an engaging icebreaker activity. Ms. Anna Cañas-Llamas served as host and moderator for the training.
Ms. Lovelyn P. Petrasanta, OPA Junior Community Relations Associate, gave a comprehensive lecture about the UP and the UPOU VIG and elaborated on the proper use of the UP Seal, UPOU Seal, and the UPOU Oblation. Ms. Petrasanta emphasized that it cannot be altered by skewing, reducing/adding color, adjusting its opacity, etc., because the seal is the official representation of the university. It cannot be used as a watermark as well. The color assignments for the seal are maroon, yellow, and forest green, as per the institutional colors of the UP System. She also mentioned the appropriate application of the UP Oblation, stressing that it is not just a simple decorative element but a symbol that defines the UP System as a whole, just like the seal. She also tackled the recommended typeface used in making documents, graphics, and presentations and its applications to different media and websites. She also mentioned that all UPOU faculty and staff can access OPA-developed templates via UPOU eBulletin (bulletin.upou.edu.ph).
The lecture was followed by a question-and-answer session, which provided participants with valuable insights into the proper seal usage within their respective offices. Dr. Almodiel then delivered her closing remarks and thanked the attendees for their participation.
Twenty-two representatives from the Office of the Chancellor, Center of Open and Digital Teaching and Learning, Quality Assurance Office, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Information and Communication Studies, Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, Campus Maintenance and Development Office, and ICT Development Office participated in this in-house training.
This training hopes to equip the UPOU faculty and staff members with the necessary knowledge to utilize these elements accurately, thereby maintaining the university’s brand and identity. OPA has announced that the training will be available online, so all UPOU faculty and staff members can take it anytime.
Written by Dianne Cosinas ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas
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