(Front L-R): Ms. Jessie Dalisay, Ms. Erlinda Manarin, Ms. Christine Volante, Asst. Prof. Roda L. Tajon, UPOU OSA Director and Ms. Laarnie Reaño and Ms. Charity Orense; (Back L-R): Ms. Gigi Constantino, Dr. Gina Valderama
To strengthen the services of its Counseling and Guidance Program, the UP Open University (UPOU) Office of Student Affairs (OSA) conducted a benchmarking activity with the UP Diliman (UPD) Office of Counseling and Guidance (OCG) on 30 May 2025.
Asst. Prof. Roda L. Tajon, Director of the Office of Student Affairs, with OSA staff, Ms. Laarnie Reaño, Ms. Erlinda Manarin, and Ms. Christine Volante, together with the representatives from the UPOU University Student Council, attended the benchmarking activity that aimed to enhance career placement initiatives and guidance services, which may be adapted for Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL). Director Tajon emphasized the importance of learning from OCG’s best practices, particularly in career services, to further encourage students to advance in their chosen field.
UPOU OSA’s Courtesy visit to Dr. Jose Carlo G. De Pano, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (2nd from Right), with Dr. Jacklyn Marie L. Cauyan, OCG Director (rightmost), and Dr. Gina Valderama, Guidance Services Specialist (leftmost).
Dr. Jacklyn Marie L. Cauyan, the OCG Director, along with Guidance Services Specialists, Dr. Mary Ann Gina Valderrama and Mr. Rollie Delos Reyes, served as the panelists for the activity. Dr. Valderrama presented an orientation on Career Advancement Services and valuable perspectives of an online job fair platform in expanding employment opportunities for students through digital means.
The presentation was followed by an open forum where the OCG panel shared their insights and experiences in career service implementation and guidance services. The OCG also highlighted the vital role of the USC and various student organizations in organizing job fairs, contributing significantly to the success of the program. Information and activities about the processes and challenges in the conduct of the University Job Fair (UJF) were clarified. Other topics included college and student-based group guidance activities, peer-related advocacies, referral system, mental health resources, inclusivity, and accessibility programs.
The benchmarking activity concluded with a mutual call for future collaboration, aligning with the UPOU’s commitment to strengthening student support programs, including career readiness and placement, mental health, and well-being.
Written by Laarnie Reaño ♦ Edited by Primo Garcia, Anna Cañas-Llamas, Roda Tajon and Rodolfo Pullian ♦ Contributed by UPOU OSA
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