UPOU Chancellor highlights digital education as foundation of “Smart Science” at BICCHR 2026

2026-02-18T16:47:24+08:00

The Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Dr. Joane V. Serrano, emphasized the role of digital education as a driving force behind responsible and sustainable scientific innovation during her keynote address at the virtual Bandung International Conference on Collaborative Health Research (BICCHR) 2026 organized by the Faculty of Pharmacy of Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) on 4 February 2026. Photo from the BICCHR 2026 official website. The conference, themed “Smart Science for Excellent Futures: Cosmetics, Biotechnology, and Digital Education,” brought together researchers and health professionals to examine interdisciplinary approaches to advancing research and practice. In her [...]

UPOU Chancellor highlights digital education as foundation of “Smart Science” at BICCHR 20262026-02-18T16:47:24+08:00

UPOU launches KMU International University Social Responsibility office

2026-02-23T16:50:17+08:00

Vice Chancellor Lacaste (2nd from right), Vice Chancellor Saludadez (3rd from right), with KMU delegates led by Professor Hsu (center), led the cutting of the ribbon for the UPOU Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) International University Social Responsibility (iUSR) Office. The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) formally launched the Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) International University Social Responsibility (iUSR) Office on 5 February 2026 at the UPOU WCMP Building (Digital Futures Hub) in Los Baños, Laguna. The activity marked a significant milestone in UPOU’s sustained partnership with Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan. The KMU iUSR Office, established as [...]

UPOU launches KMU International University Social Responsibility office2026-02-23T16:50:17+08:00

UPOU offers students a chance to earn a college degree for free

2026-01-29T16:23:56+08:00

If you think obtaining a college degree is costly, think again. There are options, like UP Open University, that make undergraduate education accessible without imposing a heavy financial burden. As the country’s leading open and distance elearning institution, UP Open University offers Bachelor’s and Associate programs for free through RA 10931 or the Free Tuition Law. This is supported by the UP OVPAA and OVPPF Joint Memorandum No.  5 of 2018, which sets the guidelines for free tuition and other school fees in UP.  Who qualifies for free tuition? Based on the guidelines, undergraduates do not pay tuition fees, [...]

UPOU offers students a chance to earn a college degree for free2026-01-29T16:23:56+08:00

UPOU to Launch Four-Year Project on Advanced Chatbot Ecosystem for Student Support

2026-01-08T10:33:53+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) is set to implement a major four-year research and development initiative titled “Advanced Chatbot Ecosystem for Comprehensive Student Support and Learning Experience in Higher Education.” The project aims to strengthen student and staff support services through a practical, user-centered, and sustainable AI-driven chatbot system. Led by Dr. Reinald Adrian Pugoy from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) with Dr. Ria Mae Borromeo also from FICS, and Ms. Rhea Subong-Espina from the University of the Philippines Visayas, the research team brings together expertise in artificial intelligence, academic services, and user [...]

UPOU to Launch Four-Year Project on Advanced Chatbot Ecosystem for Student Support2026-01-08T10:33:53+08:00

FICS Honors Graduates at Recognition and Thanksgiving 2025

2026-01-07T17:42:25+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) celebrated the achievements of its graduating students during the Recognition and Thanksgiving 2025 ceremony held on 5 December 2025 at the UPOU International Convention Center, Los Baños, Laguna. The ceremony brought together graduates, faculty members, and families to mark the end of the Class of 2025’s academic journey at UPOU. The program opened with a warm welcome from UPOU Chancellor Prof. Joane V. Serrano, who congratulated the graduates on their remarkable achievements and emphasized the vital role of the FICS in advancing UPOU’s mission [...]

FICS Honors Graduates at Recognition and Thanksgiving 20252026-01-07T17:42:25+08:00

UPOU Promotes Philippine ODeL on the Global Stage at ICoME 2025 and the Philippine Embassy in South Korea

2025-08-19T10:17:43+08:00

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 [...]

UPOU Promotes Philippine ODeL on the Global Stage at ICoME 2025 and the Philippine Embassy in South Korea2025-08-19T10:17:43+08:00

UPOU’s 28th Commencement Exercises Slated for 7 December

2024-11-08T17:04:57+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University is set to hold its 28th Commencement Exercises on 7 December 2024, at its headquarters in Los Baños. Laguna. More than 600 students have been confirmed for their graduation from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Trimester, and 1st, 2nd Semester, and Mid-year Term of the Academic Year 2023-2024. The UPOU Class of 2024 is composed of 611 graduates. One hundred twenty-five of these graduates are from the three undergraduate programs; 48 are from the two graduate certificate programs; 261 are from the 11 graduate diploma programs; 157 are from the 12 master’s [...]

UPOU’s 28th Commencement Exercises Slated for 7 December2024-11-08T17:04:57+08:00

UPOU Conducts Training on ODeL for Guimaras State University

2024-11-08T15:45:10+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) conducted a two-day face-to-face Training-Workshop on “ODeL: From Framework to Delivery” on 29-30 October 2024 at the Guimaras State University (GSU), Guimaras, Iloilo. Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, led the team of facilitators, with Dr. Myra C. Almodiel, Associate Professor and Director of the UPOU Office of Public Affairs and Asst. Prof. Margaret Jarmin-Suarez, Faculty Members and Program Development Associate for Institutional Linkages. This 16-hour training aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the frameworks, approaches, and technologies supporting open and distance e-learning (ODeL). It also guided participants in [...]

UPOU Conducts Training on ODeL for Guimaras State University2024-11-08T15:45:10+08:00

UPOU-FMDS and UP SURP Collaboration to Address Challenges in Land Use Planning and Urban and Regional Planning Education

2024-08-29T16:20:47+08:00

Last July 15-16, 2024, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) conducted a two-day “Training Workshop on Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) in Teaching and Learning” at Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) in Naval, Biliran. This event, organized by BiPSU, aimed to equip BiPSU faculty with the skills necessary to integrate open distance e-learning into the university’s curriculum starting AY 2024-2025. In recognition of Republic Act No. 10650 known as the Open Distance Learning Act and as part of its mandate to make higher education accessible to a larger population through innovative and flexible ODeL modalities, UPOU supported [...]

UPOU-FMDS and UP SURP Collaboration to Address Challenges in Land Use Planning and Urban and Regional Planning Education2024-08-29T16:20:47+08:00

Chancellor Bandalaria Highlights Learning Opportunities at UPOU in an Interview with ANC

2024-05-03T11:25:14+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University Chancellor, Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, was invited to interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) for their Business Roadshow program on 10 April 2024.  In an interview with Mr. Stanley Palisada, the program’s host, Chancellor Bandalaria, highlighted the online programs that UPOU offers and the importance of open distance and e-learning (ODeL), especially amidst unforeseeable health and natural calamities.  Dr. Bandalaria explained why UPOU's approach to learning is gaining traction worldwide, citing the success of its Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) program. According to her, UPOU advocates for openness, inclusivity, and [...]

Chancellor Bandalaria Highlights Learning Opportunities at UPOU in an Interview with ANC2024-05-03T11:25:14+08:00
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