After a few days of rain, the sky was wonderfully clear on 7 December 2024 when UP Open University (UPOU) held its 28th Commencement Exercises at its Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. Six hundred-eleven students have successfully completed the requirements for their degree programs at UPOU, and this is one of the days, if not the only day, they will ever step foot on their alma mater and meet their professors and classmates.
On 7 December, graduates were welcomed at the UPOU Community Hub where refreshments were served. The 28th Commencement ceremony started at 3:30 PM with the procession of all graduates and UPOU and UP Officials, as well as officials of UP Constituent Units. UP officials who graced the event were led by UP President Angelo Jimenez.
This year’s commencement speaker is Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) Executive Board member, and ICDE Ambassador for Open Educational Resources (OER). She is in the last year of her third term as the fourth Chancellor of UPOU, and during the nine years she has led UPOU, she pioneered the Philippine Massive Open Online Courses (PHMOOCs) model, led the transition to emergency remote instruction during the pandemic, and spearheaded the development of UPOU’s microcredentialing framework. Dr. Bandalaria is also the leading proponent for establishing the Consortium of Distance Education Providers in the Philippines (CODEPP).
Her message to the graduate was summed in three points. First, the power of education. “… [E]ducation has unlocked doors that were previously barred, enabling us to dream bigger and reach further than we ever thought possible.” Second, the “Tatak UP” where she quoted from the interview done by Professor Roland Simbulan during the UP Centennial Celebration in 2008. Shared Former UP President Francisco Nemenzo’s definition of Tatak UP as “being well educated, articulate, and patriotic,” and Jose Maria Sison saying “Tatak U.P. na pinakamatingkad ay pagiging “matalino, mahusay, makabayan at progresibo.” Lastly, The “Tatak UPOU,” where she shared that students “studying right in the middle of many
real-life responsibilities and challenges. No postponement, no escape – even if classes were canceled.” Borrowing from ChatGPT’s description of a UPOU student as a resilient learner and its attributes, she told the graduates that, “Your UPOU education provided you not only the content of your courses but these attributes considered to be essential in the ever-changing life and work environment.” She encouraged the UPOU Class of 2024 to “continue to learn, grow, inspire others and stand out as you embark on the next chapter filled with endless possibilities with the Tatak UP and UPOU as your capital for navigating the ever-increasing complexity and ambiguity of the future.”
As the representative of the graduating class, Faye Anjeli Lopez, summa cum laude from the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies, honored her fellow graduates for their unique experiences of resilience, sacrifice, and dreams. She shared her story of starting college during the pandemic and pursuing success by following what she loves and where she is good at. She also shared the stories of her classmates that moved and inspired her — from people juggling multiple jobs and responsibilities, persons with disabilities, mothers, breadwinners, and those who returned to school later in life. “These are what makes OU
students different from any other student…. We bring our whole selves and allow our jobs, life experiences, cultures, and backgrounds to reflect into meaningful discussions working across different time zones and locations. It is only here that you get to see multiple
perspectives worldwide, all in one digital classroom. And instead of competing to see
who’s better, we share our distinct experiences and learn from one another.” Her words to her fellow graduates are, “As we celebrate our achievements, let’s carry forward the resilience we’ve gained here. Life won’t always be easy, and new challenges will always arise… may we remember that our journey together here is just the beginning of something more incredible…. May we continue to be creative, inspire one another, and strive toward our dreams with the same dedication that brought us here today.’
Diplomas were handed out to each graduate by President Jimenez, Chancellor Bandalaria, and UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Primo G. Garcia. The graduates were sworn into as new UP alumni members, and Ugnayan ng Pahinungod volunteers were recognized. The ceremony was capped with a heartfelt singing of UP Naming Mahal led by the UP Rural High School Glee Club, the recession, a video summary of the ceremony, and magnificent fireworks that marked the end of the celebration.
Congratulations, UPOU Class of 2024! Padayon mga iskolar ng bayan!
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel
#UPOpenUniversity
