UP Open University (UPOU) Chancellor Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria served as one of the special studio guests during DZMM's TURO-TURO episode entitled "Mas Cool nga ba ang Cyber schooling – Distance Learning at Open University para sa mga Estudyanteng Busy" last 07 January 2017. Along with Dr. Bandalaria was Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) President Emanuel Castro de Guzman, and PUP Open University System (OUS) Executive Director Anna Ruby P. Gapasin.
During the interview, Dr. Bandalaria introduced the concept of "open university" being espoused and promoted at UPOU. All 31 undergraduate and graduate programs of UPOU are offered fully online, with teacher-student interaction done through MyPortal, its Learning Management System. Dr. Bandalaria mentioned that the system uses security measures to ensure that the enrolled students are the ones who access the online resources and answer the exams. Other questions about distance education were also addressed, such as fees being paid through bank payments or credit cards, and the availability of scholarship grants.
Dr. Bandalaria further presented the advantages of enrolling in distance education programs. "You can work while studying," she stated. Those who have not completed their bachelor's degree can now finish their studies at a reduced cost since students need not commute to attend classes. Dr. Bandalaria noted that offering programs through the distance education mode proves that "the government is giving importance in democratizing access to education", as mandated in Republic Act 10650 (Open Distance Learning Act).
Although most of UPOU's students are working, there is also an increasing rate of undergraduate students who are full-time students, high school graduates, or students who still depend on their parents. According to Dr. Bandalaria, "What we saw here is the opportunity to give chance to this sector—the high school graduates—for them to have a distance education, since they also have other things they want to do, such as those in show business, sports, or abroad."
At the end of the interview, Dr. Bandalaria encouraged lifelong learning and reasoned that lack of financial resources and being busy must not hinder those interested to study. UPOU also offers free online courses through its Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
TURO-TURO is a talk show that "discusses and tackles education issues in the Philippines and the world". DZMM anchor-reporter Dexter Joie Ganibe served as the host for the certain episode. TURO-TURO is aired live over DZMM 630 kHz on the AM Band, DZMM TeleRadyo channel 25 and 26 on Destiny Cable and Sky Cable respectively, online via dzmm.com.ph, and worldwide via The Filipino Channel. (Pauline Grace Rebulanan Milante)
