On 16 December 2023, the University of the Philippines Open University held its 27th Commencement Exercises with the theme, “University of the Future: Reimaginations, Reconfigurations, Realizations.” This year, UPOU conferred degrees to 571 students from 31 degree programs.
The graduation ceremony started at 5:00 PM, with the procession starting from the UPOU Oblation. This year’s guest speaker, UP President Angelo A. Jimenez, shared his hope for all UP and UPOU graduates to shape the country’s future by upholding the values of hope, optimism, and eagerness to serve the people. He expressed his confidence in the graduates being the best and most equipped people entering the workforce, whether in the public or private sector.
UPOU Chancellor Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, UP President Angelo Jimenez, and UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Primo G. Garcia handed the well-deserved diplomas to the graduates. The hooding ceremony for graduates of the doctoral programs was also conducted.
This year’s graduation ceremony also made history as UPOU gave recognition to two of its first summa cum laude graduates. Ms. Mickey Angela Cortez, one of the first summa cum laude graduates from the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies, represented the class of 2023. As part of the UPOU community, she encouraged the graduates to uphold its values and proactively utilize media and digital tools to speak up about social, moral, and political issues that affect them and their fellow Filipinos.
UP President Angelo Jimenez led the graduates to the oath of loyalty to the university. UP Alumni Association (UPAA) and the UPOU Alumni Foundation, Inc. (UPOUAFI) representatives also assisted the graduates in taking their oath as new members of the alumni organizations.
The graduates sang UP Naming Mahal, the university’s official hymn, to cap off the momentous occasion, followed by a spectacular fireworks show.
Once again, congratulations, Class of 2023! Padayon mga iskolar ng bayan!
Written by Zyrene Edrei Villanueva ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Photos by Anna Mhari Duria
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