The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) faculty and staff members participated in the 2nd International Conference of Digital Business, Society, and Economy (ICDBSE) 2024, held on 13-14 November 2024, at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The conference, themed “Innovation and Technology towards Sustainability and Lifelong Learning,” brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss advancements in digital technology in business and society.
The UPOU delegation was led by the UPOU Chancellor, Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, and representatives from key offices and academic units, including the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (OVCFA), Office of Public Affairs (OPA), Information and Communication Technology Development Office (ICTDO), the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), and the Faculty of Education (FEd).
The conference opened with a warm welcome from Asst. Professor Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, and Prof. Ts. Dr Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation. On the second day of the conference, Chancellor Bandalaria spoke for a Special Session focused on “Join Forces for Impactful Advocacy – The ICDE Global Advocacy Campaign in Asia.”
The two-day conference featured a series of parallel discussions centered on two primary themes: Digital Business and Economy, and Digital Learning and Society. Delegates from UPOU presented their research papers in various sessions, offering valuable insights and innovative approaches in digital learning, financial innovation, technology for sustainability, and societal impact.
The delegates from OVCFA, led by Dr. Jean Saludadez, UPOU Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, included heads and staff from Accounting and Cash Offices, namely Mr. John Benvers A. Malabanan, and Mr. Michael P. Lagaya respectively; Ms. Rosemarie Aquino, Ms. Janet Robledo, Mr. Raymond Lapis, Mr. Aljay Buenviaje, and Ms. Filipina Bautista-Pullian, respectively. Representatives from the UPOU Budget Office also presented their paper, including Ms. Amalia G. Perez, Ms. Era Winzelle D. Cruz, and Ms. Sheila Marie Bustos. They joined a Special Session on “Financial Innovation and Technology Towards Sustainability in the Context of Open Universities: the UPOU and STOU Experience,” wherein they provided insights into digital management, innovation, governance, and transformation in financial management, highlighting the role of financial technology and governance in fostering sustainability and maintaining efficient operations in open universities.
The FMDS and FEd delegates shared their studies during the event. Assoc. Prof. Myra Oruga, Program Chair of the Diploma in and Master of International Health, and Ms. Janele Ann Belegal, Teaching Associate, presented their research titled “Pioneering Care: Launching the Philippines’ First Pediatric Oncology Telemedicine Initiative.” Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Tricia Ascan, Program Chair of the Associate of Arts in Digital Entrepreneurship, and Mr. Joaquin Ascan discussed their study, “Beyond Written Papers: Harnessing Video Presentation for Enhanced Assessment in Online Learning.” Asst. Prof. Aurora Lacaste presented her study, “Spatial Analysis of the Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Higher Education.” Asst. Prof. Queenie Ridulme, a faculty member of the Master of Arts in Nursing Program, presented her work, “Unlocking Insights: Exploring Filipino Nursing Universities’ Experience with the Filipinized Learning Management System.” Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Rita Ramos, Program Chair of the Master of Arts in Nursing, shared her innovative study, “Smart Self-Check: Mastering Self-Regulation through a Digitally-Assisted Monitoring Tool: A Mixed Methods Study.”
A study from UPOU ICTDO, presented by Mr. Renz Jemil Magsino, Information Systems Researcher III, was entitled “OneUPOU: A Unified Portal for UPOU Resources.” In addition, Assoc. Prof. Reinald Adrian Pugoy, ICTDO Director, served as a session chair during the 2nd parallel discussion on the Digital Business and Economy subtheme.
Moreover, two papers were presented by UPOU OPA. These are “Bridging Campus Engagement with Virtual Reality (VR): A Study on Women’s Acceptance of VR Campus Tour in an Open University,” presented by Dr. Myra Almodiel, Director, and “Exploring the Sense of Presence in A Virtual Reality- Enhanced Campus Tour of an Open University” discussed by Ms. Marinela Hernandez, and Ms. Anna Mhari Duria where they were also awarded as Best Presenters. Ms. Zyrene Villanueva, their co-author, also participated in the conference.
As a partner university of STOU, UPOU remains committed to fostering collaborations in digital technology, business, and society, contributing to meaningful advancements in these critical areas.
Written by Marinela S. Hernandez ♦ Edited by Dr. Myra C. Almodiel, Anna Cañas-Llamas and Larry Cruz ♦ Photo by Anna Mhari Duria
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