UP Open University’s celebration of its 23rd Anniversary on 26 February 2018 was simply a sweet success. The celebration was planned short and simple, but the event turned out successfully splendid and spirit-binding both for the UPOU family, and its partners and stakeholders.
The day started like any other Mondays at UPOU – with a flag ceremony. But on this particular day, employees were clad in the anniversary shirts that the university provided. The university wanted everyone to wear the same shirt to exude a feeling of being one, as a family and as a university. And as a family, all employees enjoyed a hearty breakfast to start their day.
The first on the list of the events for the day was UPOU’s signing of agreements with new partners. Chancellor Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Melinda Lumanta, along with the UPOU Project leaders signed agreements with the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) represented by Ms. Liz Ahren Penaflor and Ms. Laarni Piloton, PCIEERD Science Research Specialists for the Master of Research and Development Management project; and the Digital Freedom Network represented by Atty. JJ Disini, DFN President, Ms. Maria Natassja Cordero, DFN Legal Policy Officer for Institutional Cooperation.
The anniversary program was next in line, which started at 9:30 AM at the CCDL Auditorium. Chancellor Bandalaria’s welcome and anniversary speech was filled with words of gratitude for all the people who helped UPOU reach 23 years – the UP administration, the UPOU officials and employees, UPOU’s partners in the community, the alumni and the students. She shared how UPOU’s anniversary theme has evolved over the years. According to Chancellor Bandalaria “At 23, UPOU is neither young nor old… I’m sure that we can take on the challenge as we move forward.” She explained that the anniversary theme “Leading in ODeL towards Education 4.0” is UPOU’s response to the needs of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, and proposes a new hashtag in order to remember Education 4.0 better — #AIMS which represents accessible, intelligent, meaningful and sustainable.
President Concepcion honored UPOU by gracing the occasion with his visit. He shared his vision of seeing UPOU taking on the role of teaching at UP. “UPOU will play a critical role in the teaching function of the university in the decades to come“.
UPOU also launched its new programs and publication during the Anniversary Program: the UPOU Universal and Inclusive Accessibility Program which encompasses the university’s administrative and academic services; the UPOU Internal Communication System which is the university’s move for a more transparent, collaborative and interactive internal community; the launch of the Mobile App of the UPOU Networks, bringing open educational resources to more people in more fluid environments; and the physical launch of the book “Assessment Praxis in Open and Distance eLearning: Thoughts and Practices in UPOU,” a free and open educational resource that gives a glimpse of how a community of 21st century ODeL practitioners engage thought and practice to produce a unified and constantly adapting system of assessment in varied forms and functions. President Concepcion was given a copy of the book, as well as UPOU’s other publications. He was also given a miniature UPOU Oblation sculpted by former UPOU Chancellor, Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso.
As a tradition, it also recognized its partners, without which UPOU would not have fared as far in its leadership. Plaques of recognition were given to Healthserv Los Baños Medical Center; Los Baños Doctors Hospital and Medical Center, Inc.; Cebu Technological University; National University of Kaohsiung; Landbank of the Philippines; Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office — Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; City Social Welfare and Development Office, City of Santiago, Isabela; Commission on Higher Education; Institute for Global Environment Strategies; PLDT; Department of Information and Communication Technology; Quezon Power (Philippines) Limited, Co.; Municipal Government of Mauban, Quezon; Department of Education, Quezon Province; UPOU Foundation, Inc. DOST-PCIEERD; Veterans Bank, CoopHub Multimedia Services; Philippine Council for Health Research and Development; Tuntungin-Putho Integrated National High School; and Digital Freedom Network.
In addition to the recognition of partners, the most outstanding and the best performing employees were also bestowed the UPOU Gawad Chancellor awards. Ms. Gloria L. Boncodin of Human Resources and Development Office (HRDO) received the Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Administrative in the first level (non-supervisory) while Ms. Pura SV. Amoloza, Chief Administrative Officer of Supplies and Property Management Office (SPMO), received the Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Administrative in the second level (supervisory). Mr. Larry N. Cruz of Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) was awarded the Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Research, Extension, and Professional Staff. The Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Faculty was awarded to Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Associate Professor of FMDS and Director of UPOU Information Office and Multimedia Center.
The program ended with Vice Chancellor Saludadez, the Chair of the Anniversary Steering Committee, delivering the closing remarks. She mentioned that the simplicity of this year’s celebration is part of UPOU’s preparation for the grand celebration of its 25th year in 2020, which she enjoins everyone to look forward to. (ACLlamas)
