University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) celebrates its 28th Founding Anniversary on 2 March 2023, face-to-face at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, for the first time since the pandemic, and with the new UP President, Hon. Angelo A. Jimenez.
The celebration commenced with the welcome remarks of Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor and Professor, honoring the university’s achievements through its decades of service, excellence, and pioneering in open distance education not only in the country, but also in Asia.
Hon. Angelo A. Jimenez, the new UP President, greeted the whole UPOU for its anniversary, citing also his warm regards and lauded the university’s accomplishments through the years as the fifth (5th) constituent university of UP.
The program featured the opening of the 28th Anniversary Exhibit that featured outputs of the Wearable Futures and its Hackathon course, and Emerging Futurists-in-Residence Programs led by the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) in collaboration with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA).
As part of the celebration, an anniversary video was showcased aligned with the theme of the founding anniversary, “University of the Future: Reimagination, Reconfigurations, Realizations,” that also highlighted UPOU’s accomplishments and future roadmaps. Amplifying the occasion, another presentation was displayed as part of the launching of the new UPOU projects and programs for 2023.
UPOU also recognized its industry and other institutional partners during the event. UP Rural High School Glee Club also graced the event with a performance. Gawad Chancellor Awards were also given to both faculty and staff who have proven outstanding in their duties, fields, and crafts. Dr. Diego Maranan was awarded the Gawad Chancellor for Natatanging Guro. Ms. Rhonna Marie Verena was awarded the Gawad Chancellor for Natatanging REPS. Ms. Jennifer Pareja was awarded the Gawad Chancellor for Natatanging Administrative Personnel (Level 2), and Mr. Arnaldo Medialdea was awarded the Gawad Chancellor for Natatanging Administrative Personnel (Level 1).
You may view the recorded UPOU Founding Anniversary celebration on UPOU’s official Facebook Page.
Written by Alessa Shainne Hostalero
Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas
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