The UP Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) held an Orientation and Re-orientation program for the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) students at the UPOU Headquarters on 11 May 2018. The activity meant to familiarize students with the practices, policies, faculty, and curriculum of the BAMS program.
Dr. Alexander G. Flor, FICS Dean, welcomed the participants with an overview of the BAMS program – how it began and where it is going. He recalled when BAMS was being conceptualized a decade ago, the intention was to create a well-rounded multimedia program firmly differentiated from those offered by other educational institutions. The result was a curriculum which puts focus not just on developing students’ technical abilities but on the program’s practical applications.
“We feel that there is a tendency for these multimedia programs to focus on the competence and the skills and the technology. But technologies change. Your skill sets will eventually change.”He explained that what makes BAMS distinct from other multimedia programs is the improvement of the skills, competencies and technology based on the context. “Kung saan niyo ito i-aapply at saka kung anong kahulugan nito sa ating lipunan na ginagalawan.” “In their virtual classrooms, students are taught how to learn, with the entire world wide web as their source of knowledge,” he added. Dr. Flor capped off his message by emphasizing the unique space BAMS and its students occupy not just in the UP system, but also among other universities.
Following the welcome message was a brief discussion on the practices and policies that BAMS students should know. Assistant Professor Joyce Mae Manalo, FICS Secretary to the Faculty, stressed the importance of the academic calendar, explained the grading procedures, and answered frequently asked questions.
Assistant Professor Al Francis D. Librero, Program Chair of BAMS, then detailed the curricular changes scheduled for the next academic year. He gave pointers on surviving the program and delved into more details about enrollment and the BAMS curriculum. The discussion continued to an open forum where students and alumni freely exchanged their thoughts, experiences, and suggestions for BAMS.
The BAMS Orientation and Re-orientation was primarily meant to help students understand the ins and outs of the BAMS program. It saw students and alumni actively participate in the discussion with the faculty members about future directions of the program. Among those who were present were Dr. Benjamina Flor, Dr. Ria Mae Borromeo, Asst. Prof. Myra Almodiel, Asst. Prof. Reinald Adrian Pugoy, and Asst. Prof. Mari Anjeli Lubrica-Crisanto. Given that the UP’s system-wide implementation of a new GE curriculum is imminent, coupled with the BAMS revised curriculum, the BAMS Orientation and Re-orientation was timely and necessary. Participants agreed with the sentiment, and they appreciated the chance to bring up some issues and concerns. Furthermore, they expressed the desire to attend similar activities in the future. (Patricia Calora, FICS)
