The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) held its Recognition and Thanksgiving ceremony for the graduating class of 2018 on 28 September 2018 at the Audio-Visual Room, UPOU. FICS faculty and staff members, graduating students, and guests gathered together to commemorate their journey and respective roles toward achieving the hard-earned degree of the students.
“Loyal thy sons, we’ll ever be…” FICS Dean Alexander G. Flor sung as he welcomed the students. He acknowledged the efforts of those who played essential roles throughout the years of journey in the university. Master of Development Communication student and top graduate Joane Gerio delivered a short message remembering the challenges she faced while earning the degree. “Aspiring students who want to be educated in UPOU should remove the connotation that it’s online so it’s easy.” Self-determination is important, she stated. Dr. Benjamina Flor, MDC Program Chair, also entertained the crowd with her personalized poem about the faculty members of the FICS.
Aside from the recognition of the excellent works done by the students, the gathering was also a Thanksgiving for the efforts of the faculty members and staff. Students were asked to vote for faculty members who made an impact to their academic life. The Student’s Choice awardees were: Dr. Benjamina Flor for MDC; Dr. Sandy Flor and Dr. Jean Saludadez for DComm; Dr. Al Librero for Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies; and aProf. Mari Anjeli Crisanto for Diploma in Computer Science. The program ended with a toast of the graduating students and a reminder from Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria, “You should be thankful because you deserve all this but don’t forget to give back to the Filipinos. Para sa Bayan!”(MBasan)
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