The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Philippine Public Health Association (PPHA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 2 April 2025 at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
This MOA aims to enhance partnerships in public health education, research, and professional development through collaboration, advocacy, resource sharing, and internship opportunities.
The principal signatories were Dr. Joane V. Serrano, UPOU Chancellor; Dr. Myra Oruga, Program Chair for the Master of International Health and representing Dr. Aurora V. Lacaste, UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, Dean of the UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS); Dr. Marc Shane Adeva, PPHA National President; Dr. Arnold Alindada, Vice President for PPHA Luzon; and Dr. Jonathan Neil Erasmo, Vice President for PPHA Visayas.
Chancellor Serrano expressed UPOU’s commitment to developing courses for reskilling and upskilling professionals in the public health sector. She emphasized PPHA’s significant role in extending public health initiatives beyond metropolitan areas and into grassroots communities. She also highlighted UPOU’s role as an academic partner of PPHA for continuous professional development.
PPHA National President Adeva extended his gratitude to UPOU for taking on the partnership and acknowledged Dr. Oruga’s efforts in initiating the fellowship program. He emphasized PPHA’s interest in future engagement with UPOU.
The MOA outlines the objectives of the project:
- Strengthening public health education
- Promoting collaborative research in public health
- Enhancing professional development and capacity building
- Facilitating public health advocacy and community outreach
- Fostering collaboration and institutional partnerships
- Providing opportunities for internships and practicums
- Developing and sharing resources for public health education
- Advocating for public health policy development through research
The formal signing of the MOA represents the shared vision of both institutions to public health advancement in the country, as symbolized by the token presented by UPOU to PPHA.
This partnership is expected to create new opportunities in the public health sector, ensuring continuous development in public health education and practice across the Philippines.
UPOU also offers the Diploma in and Master of International Health, which aims to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to understand and address global health challenges, particularly in disease reduction, health protection, and promotion.
Written by Marinela Hernandez ♦ Edited by Primo Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas
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