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A different path, the same purpose: Carrying forward UPOU’s commitment to Open and Distance eLearning

2026-09-18T13:15:18+08:00

As a new academic year begins at UPOU, many new students are experiencing Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) for the first time. We look back at a recent podcast conversation with UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano, where she discusses leading an open university, serving marginalized groups, expanding access to quality education, building a strong learning community, and the role of AI in teaching and learning. As a leader, UPOU Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano likens her leadership journey to art sand, a piece which she encountered during a visit to Berlin. Its ever-changing patterns, she says, reflect her own growth [...]

A different path, the same purpose: Carrying forward UPOU’s commitment to Open and Distance eLearning2026-09-18T13:15:18+08:00

UPOU, CHED discuss capacity building for quality distance education

2026-09-16T16:36:10+08:00

Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, Director IV, Director of Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) (fifth from left) and Dr. Joane V. Serrano (fourth from right) with the members of the UPOU Chancellor’s Advisory Council during the visit to CHED. The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) discussed ways to strengthen capacity-building and academic pathways for higher education institutions (HEIs) implementing open and distance learning (ODL) in the Philippines. Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, CESE and Director IV of CHED Office of Programs and Standards [...]

UPOU, CHED discuss capacity building for quality distance education2026-09-16T16:36:10+08:00

Beyond the Metaverse design factors: Does conversation in the virtual world matter?

2026-09-14T09:23:15+08:00

Beyond the Metaverse design factors: Does conversation in the virtual world matter? Imagine entering a virtual classroom. Instead of sitting behind a screen, you find yourself inside a three-dimensional learning space where you can walk around, examine objects, manipulate virtual equipment, and move from one activity area to another. The surroundings are visually coherent and the environment responds to what you do. Around you, your fellow students are represented by avatars. There are options to communicate through text, audio, video, spatial audio, and other virtual tools. But what if the conversations are not what makes the experience good? A recent study [...]

Beyond the Metaverse design factors: Does conversation in the virtual world matter?2026-09-14T09:23:15+08:00

Global education leaders meet in the Philippines to strengthen the future of resilient learning systems

2026-09-04T10:02:12+08:00

Two hybrid Knowledge Dialogues convened by ICDE and the UPOU— the second hosted at Asian Development Bank headquarters, with UNESCO, SEAMEO and ADB on the panel — will carry regional priorities into the 31st ICDE World Conference in 2027. Education leaders, policymakers, researchers and practitioners will meet in Cebu City and in Metro Manila for two Knowledge Dialogues on how open, distance and flexible education can make learning systems more resilient and future-ready. The International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) convene both events, which are open to onsite [...]

Global education leaders meet in the Philippines to strengthen the future of resilient learning systems2026-09-04T10:02:12+08:00

UPOU joins ICoME Consortium to strengthen international collaboration in educational technology

2026-09-01T10:28:59+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has joined the International Conference for Media in Education (ICoME) Consortium, strengthening its international partnerships in advancing research and innovation in media and technology for education. UPOU Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano (second from left) during ICoME 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Peter W K Leong) UPOU was formally welcomed into the consortium during ICoME 2026, held at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, from 6 to 8 August 2026. With its membership, UPOU joins four major academic organizations from across the [...]

UPOU joins ICoME Consortium to strengthen international collaboration in educational technology2026-09-01T10:28:59+08:00

UPOU and Enrich Hong Kong explore collaboration on financial literacy for OFWs

2026-09-02T16:17:23+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), through the University of the Philippines Ventures for International and Transformative Academia (UP VINTA), welcomed Enrich Hong Kong for a courtesy call and exploratory meeting on 25 August 2026 to discuss potential areas of collaboration, particularly in developing financial literacy courses and learning opportunities for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families. UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Aurora Lacaste (third from right), with (from left) Clarenz Rendell Ocampo, Project Staff from Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS); Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez, Assistant to the Chancellor for [...]

UPOU and Enrich Hong Kong explore collaboration on financial literacy for OFWs2026-09-02T16:17:23+08:00

UPOU welcomes Philippine Christian University for ODeL benchmarking activity

2026-08-27T08:58:01+08:00

On 25 August 2026, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) welcomed delegates from the Philippine Christian University (PCU) for a benchmarking activity at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. The benchmarking activity provided an opportunity for PCU to learn from UPOU’s ODeL practices as it works on enhancing its academic programs and online education initiatives. UPOU and PCU representatives exchange insights during a benchmarking activityat the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. The PCU delegation included Dr. Vida T. Dones, Director of Online Education and Professional Advancement (OEPA), and Prof. Junnel Guia, Director for Research. [...]

UPOU welcomes Philippine Christian University for ODeL benchmarking activity2026-08-27T08:58:01+08:00

UPOU, Calamba City explore hybrid learning for livelihood and enterprise training

2026-08-26T16:05:08+08:00

UPOU and CLDD delegates discuss potential areas for collaboration during a benchmarking activity at Pook Ugnayan, UPOU Community Hub, Los Baños, Laguna. The UP Open University (UPOU) held a benchmarking activity with the Cooperatives Livelihood Development Department (CLDD) of the City Government of Calamba on 25 August 2026 at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. UPOU QAO Director Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie Cabanes facilitates the benchmarking meeting with CLDD. The CLDD delegation was led by the Department Head Dr. Leonardo F. Opulencia Sr. During the introduction of CLDD, Department Head Dr. Leonardo F. [...]

UPOU, Calamba City explore hybrid learning for livelihood and enterprise training2026-08-26T16:05:08+08:00

Beyond the pandemic: What flexible learning means for the future of education

2026-08-25T12:44:13+08:00

The year 2020 is one of the most remarkable years in the history of education, especially in the Philippines. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that higher education institutions transitioned from traditional classroom instruction to flexible learning (FL) to ensure the sustainability of education despite the world crisis.  When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted classrooms across the globe, schools and universities faced a pressing question: How can education continue when students and teachers cannot be together in the same room? For many institutions, the answer was FL—a blend of online, modular, and limited face-to-face instruction that allowed learning to continue despite [...]

Beyond the pandemic: What flexible learning means for the future of education2026-08-25T12:44:13+08:00

‘Talk Story’ Learning Caravan connects UPOU with Filipinos in Hawaii

2026-09-07T09:59:24+08:00

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), through the University of the Philippines Ventures for International and Transformative Academia (UP VINTA), in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Honolulu, brought its Learning Caravan to Hawaii on 10 August 2026, marking its farthest engagement to date.  Titled “Talk Story: A UP VINTA Learning Caravan in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Learning Caravan gathered 28 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who participated onsite at PCG Honolulu and online via Zoom. The event brought together Filipino communities in Hawaii, representatives of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, and the UPOU delegation for discussions [...]

‘Talk Story’ Learning Caravan connects UPOU with Filipinos in Hawaii2026-09-07T09:59:24+08:00
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