The UP Open University (UPOU), with the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK), officially inaugurated the Philippines Learning Commons (PLC) at the Main Campus of NUK in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on 28 November 2018.
The PLC is a venue and facility established to help Filipinos and other borderless workers based in Kaohsiung to engage in continuing education and acquire new knowledge and skills. The PLC is aimed at furthering their career development, developing their business and entrepreneurial acumen and providing them an avenue for lifelong learning.
During the inauguration, Dr. Leon Shyue-Liang Leon Wang, President of NUK, expressed his enthusiasm in opening NUK’s doors to Filipinos based in Taiwan. After sharing about his university, he explained that NUK’s support to Filipinos and other borderless workers stems from their support to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. He also expressed his gratitude to people and institutions that supported the PLC initiative. “Thanks to the leadership of UPOU and the UP System, we are inspired by their spirit and endless effort working with us hand in hand together for a few years. We are on a new journey now, we are writing a new chapter of hope which can enlighten the hope of people who did not even dream of going to college before.” He reiterated that NUK is open to opportunities for faculty and student exchange, sharing of teaching skills in conferences, and more joint research teams.
Messages of support and congratulations were also delivered at the inauguration program by Director General Huang Chiu-Kuei of the Workforce Development Agency, Taiwan Ministry of Labor; Atty. Lily Freida T. Macabangun-Milla of the Philippine Commission on Higher Education; Father Joy Tajonera, Catholic Parish Priest, Head of the Ugnayan Centre for Shelter & Training in Taichung City, and MECO OFW Advocacy Partner; Dr. Eing-Ming Wu, Chair Professor, Shu-Te University and Executive Director, Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Yuan-hsiang Chu, PhD, Chairman, Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Dr. Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria, Chancellor of UPOU, also articulated her appreciation for the support of everyone who was present at the inauguration, and expressed her special thanks to f the University of the Philippines System represented by Vice President for Planning, Dr. Jose Florendo, and to the Commission on Higher Education represented by CHED Director for International Affairs, Atty, Lily Freida Macabangun-Milla. She mentioned that the inauguration of the first PLC in Taiwan is a milestone in the history of UPOU. “This learning commons is also in consideration of UPOU’s initiative and mandate to cascade our best practices and to really include other universities in the Philippines to have their opportunity to serve and be part of this Philippines Learning Commons. ” She mentioned that a continuing discussion on the governance and administrative matters will transpire but they want to include other stakeholders in concretizing the whole plan. She looks forward to the active participation of the Philippine State Universities and Collegeses (SUCs), especially those that were present at the inauguration, and appreciation to NUK for concretizing the concept of a Philippines Learning Commons.
The inauguration of the Philippines Learning Commons ended with a tour of the facility and a photo opportunity with all the participants of the inaugural program. (ACLlamas)
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