Dr. Ricardo T. Bagarinao, Dean of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Education (FEd), presented his units’ accomplishments in a public forum held last 13 December 2022. His six-year term will end on 31 January 2023.
Dr. Bagarinao highlighted the revision of the curriculum of FEd programs, the writing bootcamp, and the research colloquium as part of the faculty’s research journeys. As a result, there was an increase in the number of research and publication projects in 2019–2022 and strengthened engagement with FEd alumni.
The Dean was also proud of the strong engagement with the faculty members through extension programs and public service in the university-wide initiatives like EDUKussion forums such as Demathifying Math for Everyday Life, Online Convos on the Birth of Research Ideas and Thesis Topics, Building Research Relationships, and Teaching Presence in the Philippines’ K-12 Blended Learning Classes under the Alternative Delivery Mode. In addition, there was the BUKA Project, which aimed to promote equity and access to higher education in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines through inclusive instructional design (ID) and learning analytics (LA) in online and blended learning, especially in the context of open and distance learning (ODL).
FEd also had more linkages and partnerships from 2019 to 2022. The Continuing Education Program of the division (FEd CEP) also increased its number of webinars and engagements in Dr. Bagarinao’s term, from eight webinars in 2019 to 35 in 2020, 25 in 2021, and five in 2022.
During the public forum, Dr. Bagarinao was asked what qualities the next dean of FEd has. He listed openness, loyalty, and collaboration as important qualities to ensure the institution’s success.
In response to the question of Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, Vice-Chancellor for Administration and Professor at the UPOU, Dr. Bagarinao shared the lessons he learned and things he would do differently. Dr. Bagarinao discussed how education could work by encouraging collaboration with the faculty and the rest of the members of the university. He further emphasized the importance of standing firm on certain issues, especially if they were for the institution’s benefit.
While Dr. Bagarinao’s deanship will end, he said that he will still serve the university through the degree programs and certificate courses he still wanted to develop and offer. He emphasized that he would still be of service to the university.
Written by Alessa Shainne Hostalero
Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas
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