UPOU faculty and staff from L-R: Asst. Prof. Mary Kristene Clariño, Asst. Prof. Katrina Joy Abriol-Santos, Asst. Prof. Blancaflor Arada, Asst. Prof. Emely Amoloza, Assoc. Prof. Roberto Figueroa, Jr., Ms. Danica Salcedo, and Ms. Percia Secreto at the ICoME 2025.

Breaking new ground in educational technology and innovation, faculty and staff members from the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) participated in the 23rd International Conference on Media in Education (ICoME), held from 7-9 August 2025, at Inha University, Incheon, Korea. With a strong line of research presentations and tech-driven projects, UPOU joined global educators, researchers, and media practitioners in exploring the future of learning in a rapidly evolving digital world.

UPOU’s contributions to the conference included the following paper presentations: Innovating Educational Materials through FrameVR and AI-driven Content Podcast in an Open University by Asst. Prof. Mary Kristene D. Clariño; Novador: An Interactive Learning Novel for Open and Distance E-Learning by Asst. Prof. Katrina Joy M. Abriol-Santos; Tales in the Metaverse: Assessing FrameVR for Filipino Folktale Storytelling in Education by Asst. Prof. Blancaflor P. Arada; Research Trends in the Field of Open and Distance e-Learning: A Content Analysis of Published Articles in IJODeL from 2015 to 2024 by Ms. Danica Salcedo and Assoc. Prof. Roberto Figueroa, Jr.; Strengthening Administrative Capacity through Peer-to-Peer Learning: Insights from the CollabOURate Initiative by Ms. Percia V. Secreto; and Examining Students’ Experiences with AI Tools in an Open Distance eLearning Course: Insights and Implications by Asst. Prof. Emely M. Amoloza.

                               

FICS Dean, Dr. Roberto Figueroa, Jr., and UPOU Registrar, Asst. Prof. Blancaflor Arada (center and right) with Consul   General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza (left) at the Philippine Embassy in South Korea.

Following the conference, on 10 August 2025, Faculty of Information and Communication Studies Dean Figueroa and University Registrar Arada visited the Philippine Embassy in the Republic of Korea to introduce the UP VINTA initiative and promote UPOU’s academic programs to embassy officials.

Through these engagements, UPOU strengthened its role in the global educational media community, contributed Philippine perspectives on Open Distance eLearning (ODeL), and fostered new collaborations in both academic and diplomatic spheres.

Contributed by Percia V. Secreto | Edited by Emely M. Amoloza

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UP Open University (UPOU)

8 hours ago

UP Open University (UPOU)
The IFSS 2025 formally concluded with a meaningful closing ceremony.UPOU Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, Chair of the IFSS 2025 Program Committee, delivered a synthesis of the forum, emphasizing the values aligned with the discussion areas of the IFSS2025. She ended with a call to continually act together for justice, for regeneration, for a future where everyone has just not food, but dignity, health, and the opportunity thrive.An exchange of institutional gifts was held among the representatives from UPOU, DOST, TUPV, STI West Negros University, and Negros Power.Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants of IFSS 2025.The Best Paper Award was conferred by Dr. Gerome Salas, member of the IFSS 2025 Paper Committee to the following winners:- Arwen Jover, Joval Martinez, Aran Jay Nonato, Raezel Harvey Pitong, and Angel Hope Robles with their paper entitled “Functional Characterization of Potassium Solubilization Potential of Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria for Sustainable Agricultural Biofertilizer Development." (Best Paper Award)- Thushari Senavirathna and Brian Dunsford with their paper entitled "Bamboo Pots (Bambusa vulgaris) as a Circular and Regenerative Alternative in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Nurseries." (2nd Best Paper Award)- Gregorio Crisostomo, Crizel Ann Biton, Henmark De la Cruz, Ma. Korina Claudia Hinayan, Ronald Ray Labayen, Charisse Pesquera, Jayboy Santillan, and Joel Manuel Villaluz with their paper entitled "Multi-Crop Powder Processing Machine for Enhancing the Value of Root Crops in Negros." (3rd Best Paper Award)The Best Poster Award was presented by Dr. Gerald Salas, Member of the IFSS 2025 Awards Committee, to Gregorio Crisostomo with his paper entitled “Development of a Portable Solar-Powered Mechanized Silk Reeling Device for Sustainable Silk Production of Rural Negros Island Farmers."The Best Sustainable Showcase Award of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair was presented by Engr. Glady T. Reyes, Co-Chair of the IFSS 2025 SDG Fair Committee, to Subay Marketing.Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug, Provincial Director of the DOST Negros Island Region, delivered his closing remarks with a hope that the seeds planted in IFSS 2025 continue to grow, flourish and bear fruit for generations to come.#IFSS2025 #Sustainability ... See MoreSee Less

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