A new building is set to rise on the UP Open University (UPOU) campus in Los Baños, Laguna – the UPOU Teaching and Learning Hub (TLH). In the advent of UPOU's celebration of its 22nd Anniversary, a time capsule was buried and the first sod was turned leading to the construction of the TLH.
Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, lead the groundbreaking. Accompanying her were Dr. Rhodora Azanza, Officer-in-Charge for the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Patricia Arinto, UP Faculty Regent; Mr. Alexis Mejia, UP Staff Regent; Dr. Melinda Lumanta, UPOU Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Jean Saludadez, UPOU Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Administration; Dr. Felix Librero, UP Professor Emeritus and Former UPOU Chancellor; Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, Professor Emeritus and Former UPOU Chancellor; and Dr. J. Collins Yerbury, Dean Emeritus of the Simon Fraser University.
The four octagonal pods of the TLH will house the three Faculty offices of the university, intended to create more academic space for both UPOU faculty and students. Thirty faculty rooms and three Dean's offices will comprise this hub, plus a 12-person meeting area. The TLH also features a loft on one side of the building that allows the flow fresh air, the entry of sunlight, and the view of the beautiful scenery of Mt. Makiling.
The TLH is designed with a provision for possible expansion. The most immediate of which is the UPOU Learning Commons, two more octagonal pods that are projected to be constructed within 2017. Other constructions ongoing within the UPOU headquarters in Los Baños are the UPOU International Convention Center, the UPOU Academic Residences, and the construction of the elevator shaft for the UPOU Main Building. The UPOU Multi-purpose Hall was also recently completed and its inauguration was also done as part of UPOU's 22nd Anniversary Celebration. (Anna Cañas-Llamas)
