The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) faculty members and student were proudly honored for their achievements during the 116th founding anniversary of the University of the Philippines (UP). This milestone was marked by the week-long celebration “Linggo ng Unibersidad” with the theme “Hayag: Pagpupugay sa Lingkod Bayan 2024.”
Part of this celebration was “Pagkilala sa Fakulti, Kawani, Mag-aaral na Nagtamo ng Pambansa o Internasyonal na Rekognisyon,” organized by the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) held on 13 June 2024, at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman. The event highlighted the outstanding contributions of the UP community to national and international spheres and acknowledged the honorees’ exemplary dedication to the university’s core values: Honor and Excellence in Service of the Nation.
Among the esteemed honorees from UPOU were:
- UPOU Chancellor Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria for the Individual Prize for the International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) Prize of Excellence from the International Council for Distance Education in October 2021
- Professor Emeritus Grace Javier Alfonso for the Individual Prize for the International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) Prize for Lifelong Learning from the International Council for Distance Education in October 2021
- Dr. Charisse T. Reyes for the Teaching Innovation Award in Chemistry, given by Learn Science in 2022; and
- UPOU Student Council’s First Chairperson Isaiah M. Crisanto for New York City Local Winner, awarded in the NASA International Space Apps Challenge in 2021 October
UP President Angelo A. Jimenez further delivered an inspiring message, emphasizing the challenges and victories of serving at UP, “Hindi biro ang maglingkod at lalong hindi biro maglingkod sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa gitna ng mga maling persepsyon, pinupulaan ang pagiging mapanuri at maling paglalarawan sa ating aktibismo.” [It is not easy to serve, especially at the University of the Philippines, amidst misconceptions, criticisms of our critical nature, and misrepresentations of our activism.] President Jimenez also highlighted how the success of UP is owed to the collective dedication of UP members.
The Pagkilala event serves as a testament to the commitment and excellence of the UP community in different disciplines, emphasizing the significant impact they create both locally and internationally. As UPOU continues to strive for excellence and innovation, the recognition of its members’ contributions reinforces the university’s mission to serve the nation with honor and excellence.
Written by Alexis Faith Gonzales ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas♦ Photo by Bong Arboleda, UPMPRO
