The UP Open University (UPOU) conducted a benchmark meeting with the Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna on 26 October 2023. The ATS delegation, led by Director Raniel M. Gallardo of the ATS Division of Online Learning, was warmly received by UPOU officials, including Dr. Myra C. Almodiel, Director of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), Dr. Reinald Adrian Pugoy, Director of the Information and Communication Technology Development Office (ICTDO) and Assistant Professor Mari Anjeli Crisanto, Director of the Quality Assurance Office (QAO). Dr. Pugoy provided an in-depth presentation on the UPOU ICTDO. [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) students who graduated with distinction have now been granted the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE).This decision represents a significant step toward recognizing the graduates' achievements from Open Distance Learning (ODL) programs. The CSC's resolution has been amended to include honor graduates who have achieved Latin honors, such as summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude, in their bachelor's degrees through ODL. Previously, honor graduates from open distance learning were not eligible for the Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE) under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 907. The revised resolution [...]

Dr. Roberto B. Figueroa, Jr., UP Open University Associate Professor and Program Director for Immersive Open Pedagogies, was awarded the Silver Medal for the Best Practice Award at the 36th Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU 2023). AAOU 2023 was held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 28-30 September 2023. His paper, titled “iBook Plus: An Interactive Book-Based Approach in Open and Distance e-Learning,” was about his investigation into the potential of iBook Plus,  a novel interactive book-based approach to enrich online courses and encourage meaningful student interactions. The iBook Plus approach utilizes the interactive book format to [...]

The 36th Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU 2023) culminated with great success in Istanbul, Türkiye, from September 28 to 30, 2023. This remarkable event saw notable participation from faculty members and staff of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU).  The conference, themed "The Future of Open Universities in the Age of Digitalized Higher Education," brought together educators, administrators, and researchers to discuss the evolving landscape of open education in the digital era.  AAOU 2023 served as a platform to examine the role of open universities in the context of digitalized higher education. Engaging [...]

FMDS hosted a hybrid Roundtable Discussion titled “Inklusibo, Makatao, at Digital na Transpormasyon tungo sa Likas-kayang Pag-unlad ng Pamayanan” on 12 October 2023 at the Centennial Center for Digital Learning (CCDL) Auditorium, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna The goal of this event is to provide a platform to discuss sustainability issues at the community level and explore participatory solutions geared towards sustainability. The event was relevant in the empowerment of Barangay and municipal leaders in identifying local needs, addressing social issues experienced by the community, promoting community development, enhancing the well-being of their residents, and integrating digital transformation. The roundtable [...]

(Left to Right): Dr. Diego S. Maranan, Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies; Asst. Prof. Charisse T. Reyes, Dean of the Faculty of Education; Dr. Myra C. Almodiel, Director of the Office of Public Affairs; Hon. Victoria Canape Belegal, UP Staff Regent; Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor; Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, UPOU Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration; Asst. Prof. Luisa A. Gelisan, UPOU University Registrar; and Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies The UP Open University (UPOU) Officials attended the investiture of UP System’s President, [...]

In celebration of the rich and diverse natural heritage of the Philippines during the Los Baños Horticulture Society, Inc.’s (LBHSI) 50th Flower and Garden Show, For. Karl Abelard Edberto L. Villegas, Jr., Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Management and Development Studies, UP Open University, led a seminar titled “Going Native: Challenges and Opportunities in Philippine Native Tree Species Utilization” on 08 October 2023 at Oblation Hall, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. For. Villegas engaged in meaningful discussion with the audience regarding the challenges and opportunities surrounding the utilization of Philippine native tree species. He highlighted the various issues surrounding [...]

The Los Baños Horticulture Society, Inc. (LBHSI) held an appreciation night to celebrate the remarkable success of the 50th Flower & Garden Show and an oath taking ceremony for their new set of officers on 14 October 2023 at the Multipurpose Hall, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. LBHSI President, Ms. Vernie Valdez-Lucero led the program and expressed her extreme gratitude towards the UPOU Community for helping LBHSI host the 50th Flower and Garden show with the theme “Ibalik ang Kahapon:  A Golden Celebration”. One of the highlights of the evening was the awarding ceremony for the Upcycling Competition held during the [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University Office of Student Affairs (UPOU-OSA), in coordination with the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) and Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning (CODTL), held an online general student orientation programs on 9 September 2023 and 7 October 2023 for degree programs following the semestral schedule and trimestral schedule, respectively via the UPOU website, UPOU Facebook page, and the UPOU Networks website. The orientations aimed to provide the necessary information for studying via open and distance e-learning (ODeL) at UPOU and allowed students to navigate the adjustments of online learning and know where [...]

As part of University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Education’s (FEd) training-workshop series on “Enhancing teaching and learning experiences in ODeL environments”, FEd organized a conversation on pastoral care and its role in fostering learners’ success in higher education on 05 October 2023 at the Multimedia Center (MC) Theatre, UPOU-Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Building, Diliman, Quezon City. Dean Charisse T. Reyes of FEd kicked off the conversation with her opening remarks underscoring the  importance of pastoral care in the Faculty’s mission of providing a holistic experience for our learners. Subsequently, the conversation was led [...]