The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) will be celebrating its 20th Commencement Exercises and the Investiture of its 4th Chancellor, Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, in one ceremony on 30 July 2016. The ceremony will be held at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna starting 6:00 in the evening.This year's graduation will include more than 300 graduate and undergraduate students who have successfully completed the requirements for their degrees. This includes the graduates for 3rd Trimester AY 2014-2015, Summer 2015, 1st and 2nd Trimester AY 2015-2016, and 1st and 2nd Semester AY 2015-2016. All graduating students are invited to participate in the Recognition Rites hosted by their respective Faculty offices, UPOU Alumni Foundation Inc. (UPOUAFI) meeting and orientation, and the Cultural Show which will be held on 29 July 2016. The final list of graduates will be released by the UPOU Office of the University Registrar after the UPOU University Council Meeting on 13 July 2016.
As the 4th Chancellor of the University, Dr. Bandalaria, has officially started office on 29 February 2016. Her vision is to maximize the affordances of open and distance e-learning (ODeL) by pushing for more openness and sharing; codifying the quality assurance framework of ODeL; increasing the UPOU student population and completion rates; developing the appropriate learner support system for ODeL; achieving administrative efficiency; increasing the participation of students and alumni in UPOU activities; promoting staff welfare and good work-life balance; harnessing the potentials of partnerships and linkages; and improving the university's information and communication system. The investiture ceremony will be officiated by Hon. Alfredo E. Pascual, President of the University of the Philippines System. He will also be delivering the address in greetings to the new graduates and the new Chancellor. (Anna Cañas-Llamas)
