The UP Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD), held the Effective Business Writing and Presentation Skills Workshop on 25-28 June 2018 at Boso Boso Highlands Resort and Hotel, Antipolo, Rizal. This activity was conducted as part of the public service initiative of FICS. Dr. Paz H. Diaz, former Dean of the UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), and Ms. Emely M. Amoloza, University Extension Associate of the UPOU FICS served as resource speakers. The four-day workshop aimed to train SAAD staff members [...]

In the Environmental Planning (EnP) Exam held on 6-7 June 2018 at various Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) testing centers in different parts of the country, six students from the Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) program of the University of the Philippines Open University-Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS-UPOU) were among the 1,891 successful passers out of the 4,279 examinees. These students are Ms. Kristine Carmen D. Diones, Ms. Marlyn S. Lazaro, Mr. Andrew Ian B. Dormitorio, Mr. Marc Louie M. Almario, Ms. Shiela Beatriz L. Barroga, and Mr. Joshua Federick J. Vitaliz. The results of the EnP exam [...]

Educators, scholars, students, researchers and elearning practitioners are invited to submit abstracts for paper and poster presentations for the International Conference on Open and Distance e-Learning 2018 (ICODeL2018) to be held on 26-28 November 2018 at the Garden Villa Hotel, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. With the theme "Technology-Enhanced and Inclusive Education in the Digital Age," ICODeL2018 will gather leading experts, practitioners, and researchers in technology-enhanced education, flexible work-based learning, and industrial sector to discuss how technology can b/e tapped for quality education and promote industry and academe partnership to develop leaders and professionals that can thrive in an open and rapidly changing [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), represented by Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Director of the Information Office, participated in the Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for Higher Education held at Shenzhen, China on 11-13 June 2018. The congress, which gathered regional experts, policy makers, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs and post graduate students throughout the Asia and the Pacific, carried the theme, "Seizing digital opportunities to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4." As stated by the United Nations, the aim of SDG 4 is to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities [...]

Continuing the initiative to provide a platform for discussing education-related issues, challenges and opportunities, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Education (FEd) will conduct its 6th EDUKussion Forum titled "Integrating Literacy Strategies Across the Curriculum" on 22 June 2018 (Friday), 1:30 - 4:00 pm at the Centennial Center for Digital Learning (CCDL), UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. The forum will highlight the talk of Dr. Nemah N. Hermosa, former UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and former Dean of the Faculty of Education. Her field of specialization includes teaching and assessment of English, Reading and Literature; [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), in partnership with the UPOU Alumni Foundation, Inc. (UPOUAFI), held the 3rd FICS Masterclass: A Lecture Series from Thought Leaders on 30 May 2018 at The Sandbox, CCDL, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. Dr. Felix Librero, Professor Emeritus and former UPOU Chancellor, served as the thought leader and discussed Thesis Writing: A Practical Guide. Dr. Librero explained that a thesis or a dissertation is a capstone for academic degrees both for Masters and Doctoral degrees. Its purpose is to demonstrate a student's expertise in his/her [...]

On 17 May 2018, members from the Faculty of Education of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU FEd) delivered oral paper presentations in the 18th Philippine Society for the Study of Nature (PSSN) Annual Scientific Conference: International Conference on Nature Studies and Innovation for the Environment (ICoNSIE) 2018. The panel presentation was entitled "ODeL Framework for Environmental Education: Practices, Potentials, and Challenges". Composed of five oral paper presentations, the session detailed vital principles and workflow in open and distance e-learning (ODeL) practice that can be also be applied in the creation of online environmental education initiatives. Dr. Ricardo [...]

Dr. Maria Ana T. Quimbo, an affiliate faculty member of the Faculty of Education of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU FEd) presented a paper last 17 May 2018 during the 18th Philippine Society for the Study of Nature (PSSN) Annual Scientific Conference: International Conference on Nature Studies and Innovation for the Environment (ICoNSIE) 2018. Entitled "Enhancing the Resilience of Indigenous Peoples through a Climate-Smart Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP)", Dr. Quimbo observed the case of Aytas in Floridablanca, Pampanga, Philippines and found out that the current ADSDPP was not equipped on climate-proof plans and [...]

To share best practices in the development and management of open and distance eLearning programs, the UP Open University, facilitated a focus group discussion (FDG) for the second time with the personnel of Ifugao State University (IFSU) on 20 May 2018 at its IFSU Campus in Lamut, Ifugao. The FGD is part of the Cascading Best Practices Program (CBPP). The UPOU team lead by Chancellor Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria met with 27 faculty and staff members involved in the IFSU distance education programs for a needs assessment and evaluation. They discussed the difficulties they encountered as student-participants in the Open [...]