The host and some of the panelists of the UPOU Town Hall Session 2021: (top row, left to right) Mr. Rodolfo Pullian and Dr. Maria Rowena Raymundo; (middle row, left to right) Asst. Prof. Rita Ramos, Director Yasele Irene Angela M. Yambao, and Ms. Laarni Reaño; (bottom row, left to right) Dr. Maripres U. Sarinas, Dr. Alexander Flor, and Dr. Primo Garcia.
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) conducted the UPOU Town Hall Session 2021 on 26 October 2021 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM via Zoom. The event served as a continuation of the UP Town Hall session and was attended by UPOU graduate and undergraduate students. Mr. Rodolfo T. Pullian of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) served as the host.
Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, opened the online session and welcomed the participants. In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Bandalaria highlighted the significance of an effective dialogue among the university administrators and the students. The UPOU officials, who attended the virtual meeting and also served as the panelists, included Dr. Maria Rowena D.R. Raymundo, Officer-In-Charge of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA); Dr. Ricardo T. Bagarinao, Dean of the Faculty of Education (FEd); Dr. Primo G. Garcia, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS); Dr. Alexander G. Flor, Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS); Ms. Yasele Irene Angela M. Yambao, Director of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA); Asst. Prof. Rita C. Ramos, University Registrar; Ms. Jennifer D. Belen, University Librarian; and Dr. Maripres U. Sarinas, Secretary of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies.
Ms. Laarni Reaño of the Office of Student Affairs provided a summary of the UP Town Hall Session that was held on 20 September 2021, attended by student representatives and officials of the University of the Philippines (UP). Ms. Reaño shared the results of the surveys conducted by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA), the Office of Student Regent (OSR), and the student councils (USCs) of all constituent universities (CUs). She mentioned that the results of the survey cited the following as important to the students in relation to remote learning: detailed course guides, instructor availability and responsiveness, library services, financial and equipment subsidy, mental health and counselling services, and more flexible learning, among others.
Dr. Maria Rowena D.R. Raymundo discussed the important University policies related to remote teaching and learning. Dr. Raymundo clarified that remote teaching and learning is not the same as distance teaching and learning and that UPOU students should know the difference. She cited that teaching remotely, for instance, allows teachers and students to have synchronous classes, but such classes are not always applicable to UPOU students who are distance learners and can be coming from different countries and therefore having varying time zones. As such, there are some policies, announcements, and issuances from the UP System which are not applicable to UPOU and instead are adopted to UPOU’s unique context as open and distance elearning UP constituent.
Among the key points discussed by Dr. Raymundo is the UPOU academic calendar which has not been changed and still remained 14 weeks for the semestral and 12 weeks for the trimestral. She also reminded the participants that the academic rules and policies concerning academic delinquency, degree program retention, and maximum residency remain suspended for the first semester/trimester of the academic year (AY) 2021-2022. She also recommended for students who are unable to cope with their course requirements and other workload to seek advice from their adviser/instructor. She added that “DRP” will be indicated in the Transcript of Records with “due to COVID-19 pandemic.”
OSA Director Yasele Irene Angela M. Yambao provided updates on the programs and services offered by OSA. She reiterated UPOU’s commitment in helping qualified graduate and undergraduate students complete their UP education through various scholarship programs and other forms of support, such as the Iskolar ng Bayan (RA10648), UP Presidential Scholarship Grant, UP Grants-In-Aid Program, Student and Graduate Assistantship, Student Loan Program, and Student Wellness Program, among others. The OSA is also involved with the UPOU Provisional Committee, which is tasked to draft a student constitution based on the students’ needs, concerns, and best interests.
During the Q&A part of the session, concerns regarding delay in giving grades, email responses, and feedback were raised. Dr. Raymundo explained that she understood the students’ plight as she herself is a UPOU alumna and has served as the Program Chair for the Master of Distance Education program. She reassured the students that the Faculty offices will make a follow up on these delays and will constantly take steps to avoid these types of concerns from happening again. Regarding the request for immediate response on transfer of credits (TOC) applications, removal/completion of “EXT,” and ID application, Asst. Prof. Rita C. Ramos responded that the Office of the University Registrar has been trying its best to answer emails on time and has already addressed requests which were overlooked.
For other UPOU-related concerns, you may visit the UPOU Helpdesk where you can browse FAQs and other relevant information.
Written by Jaime Guimbao
Edited by Joane V. Serrano and Anna Cañas-Llamas
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