The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) welcomed Far Eastern University (FEU) Roosevelt for a benchmarking activity on 20 February 2025 at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna.
The benchmarking activity was facilitated by Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, and Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao, Director of Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning (CODTL). Also present was Anna Cañas-Llamas, Information Officer of the UPOU Office of Public Affairs (OPA). Asst. Prof. Mari Anjeli Crisanto, Director of the UPOU Quality Assurance Office (QAO), and Ms. Maelyn Pisueña, QAO Officer, joined virtually
Dr. Alma Emerita V. Dela Cruz, Senior Vice President, led the FEU Roosevelt delegates, that included Dr. Victor T. Tabuzo, Dean of Tertiary Education Division and Graduate School of Education; Ms. Dena Culaba, Program Head for Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education; Mr. Ray Matthew Cortez, Program Head for General Education and Secondary Education; Mr. Edelfin Tan, Program Head for Business Administration; Ms. Maricar Vinalay, Principal; Mr. Paul Benedict Trinidad, Quality Assurance Supervisor; Mr. Karl Gabrielle De Los Santos, Educational Technology Supervisor; Ms. Trixia Mae Bidayan, College Professor; and Ms. Raquel Jocson, Executive Assistant.
The benchmarking discussed UPOU’s practices in the Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL), including course development and delivery, assessments, learning management system (LMS), student support services, quality assurance, and instruction pathways suited for ODeL.
Dr. Bandalaria discussed the course material components and UPOU’s experience when it fully transitioned to online learning in 2007. She highlighted the technical team’s role in tailoring the LMS to meet the university’s needs. Dr. Bagarinao explained the Quality Circle, a team of interdisciplinary experts and reviewers involved in course development and improvement.
Additionally, the discussion also covered integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning, policy recommendations for student support services, and facilitating student interactions in the learning process.
The delegates from FEU Roosevelt showed their interest in ODeL training programs, establishing their own open university, and exploring further partnerships with UPOU.
This benchmarking aligns with RA 10650 (Open Distance Learning Law) and its commitment to Sustainable Development Goals No. 4 (Quality Education) and No. 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), UPOU plays a crucial role in strengthening collaboration among institutions and organizations to provide accessible, high-quality education and promote collective advancement in the educational sector.
Written by Marinela Hernandez ♦ Edited by Primo G. Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas
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