The University of the Philippines Open University celebrated its 17^th Founding Anniversary in conjunction with the 1^st International Conference on Open and Distance e-Learning. The Anniversary dinner was held on 23 February 2012 at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

 Hon. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Former Senator and the President of UPOU Alumni Foundation Inc. and President Alfredo E. Pascual of the University of the Philippines System graced the event.  Both delivered congratulatory remarks for UPOU.

Prior to the program, UPOU signed memoranda of agreement with partner institutions to formalize linkages. Signing for the partners were Intel Microelectronics Country Manager Ricardo Banaag, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary Corazon Davis and the University of Batangas President Hernando B. Perez.

The Anniversary Program was also an occasion to recognize the academic achievements of the UPOU faculty and staff members The UPOUFI Professorial Chair in Open and Distance Learning was given to Dr. Melinda dP. Bandalaria for her study “Learner and Faculty Support Services in Open and Distance eLearning: A Search for New Framework Based on New Context and Old Theories and Assumptions” and to Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao for his research “Graph Theoretic Approach in Analyzing the Navigation Paths of Online Learners.” Dr. Jean A. Saludadez received the UPAA-DCMDVA Faculty Grant for her study “Agency as Framework for the Study of Distance Education.”

Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao received the International Publications Awards for his three papers published in ISI-listed journals: “Forest Fragmentation in Central Cebu and its Potential Causes: A Landscape Ecological Approach”, “Patch Richness and Shape Complexity in Central Cebu Protected Landscape, Cebu Island, Philippines: Implications in Environmental Management” and “Online Behavior of Distance Learners: Considerations for Biodiversity Education in the Web.”

Faculty and REPS Research Grants were also awarded during the Anniversary Program. The eighteen recipients of the Faculty Research Grants were Dr. Dinah Nadera, Asst. Prof. Cesar Luna, Assoc. Prof. Jean Saludadez, Assoc. Prof. Juvy Gervacio, Asst. Prof. Ebenezer Florano, Prof. Inocencio Buot, Prof. Melinda Lumanta, Prof. Melinda Bandalaria for three research studies, Prof. Alexander Flor for two research studies, Asst. Prof. Al-Francis Librero, Assoc. Prof. Ricardo Bagarinao, Asst. Prof. Marie-Sol Hildalgo, Asst. Prof. Aleta Villanueva, Asst. Prof. Connie Khan, Prof. Consuelo Habito and Ms. Anthea Mariano. Ms. Estrella Sibal, Ms. Margaret Suarez and Ms. Joane Serrano were the recipients of the REPS Research Grants.

Part of the 17^th UPOU Anniversary celebration was a colloquium by Professor Curtis Bonk on “Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning,” held on 28 February 2012 at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.  On the same day, the UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies launched “Green UPOU,” a campaign that will promote waste segregation and greening of both the physical and virtual landscapes.

The UPOU also recognized 20 UPOU personnel for their unwavering and long service to the university. Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao, Mr. Isagani Bautista and Mr. Raymond Lapis received the award for five years of service. Ms. Margaret Suarez, Dr. Primo Garcia, Mr. Jimmy Fermin and Ms. Jennifer Pareja received the award for ten years of service. Ms. Vitoria Belegal, Ms. Percia Secreto, Mr. Victorio Maligalig, Ms. Rhonna Marie Vereña, Ms. Tessie Tamayao, Ms. Marie Estorel, Mr. Dominador Ramos, Ms. Elvira Lalap, Ms. Edelina Yap, Ms. Nida Pavia, Ms. Carlota Yoingco, Ms. Luisa Gelisan and Ms. Alvie Alip were recognized for their 15 years of service. Chancellor Grace Javier Alfonso, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Maria Fe Mendoza and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Melinda F. Lumanta handed out the awards. (Anna Cañas)

Read More

VISION

The UP Open University shall be at the forefront of the knowledge society as a leading institution of open learning and distance education.

MISSION

The U.P. Open University seeks to provide wider access to quality higher education. It shall adhere to the highest standards of academic excellence , guarantee academic freedom , and encourage social responsibility and nationalistic commitment among its faculty, staff and students.

Specifically, the UPOU has the following objectives:

To provide opportunities for alternative access to quality higher education by offering baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degree programs and non-formal courses by distance education.

To develop a system of continuing education for sustaining professional growth and improving technical skills especially for those who cannot leave their jobs or homes for full-time studies; and

To contribute towards upgrading the quality of residential instruction in the University and the educational system of the country, in general, by developing, testing and utilizing innovative instructional materials and technology, and sharing these with other colleges and universities through cooperative programs.

Read More

---

On February 23, 1995, the UP Board of Regents approved the establishment of the UP Open University. The resolution explaining its creation states:

Faced with the perennial challenge of providing quality higher education to a growing population distributed in over 7,000 islands, the U.P., through the UPOU’s open and distance learning, will allow wider access to quality education. As an institution with the largest fulltime faculty, with the highest number of advanced degrees and the widest fields of study among institutions of higher education in the country, the U.P. is in the best position to offer quality distance education programs.

Since then, UPOU has grown to become the leading distance education institution in the country. Through the years, it has initiated and adopted new modes of teaching and learning, instituted degree and non-degree programs in established as well as emerging disciplines, conducted researches and organized academic forums in open and distance learning, and forged linkages with individuals and organizations to widen people’s access to quality education.

Source:

UP Open University 

Read More