UPOU faculty members join the UP System's Focused "COOPERATE" to Universities in Taiwan.In the spirit of collaboration and internationalization, the UP Open University (UPOU) responded to the call of the UP System Office of International Linkages (OIL) to join the Taiwan Academic Visit, otherwise known as the Focused "Continuous Operational and Outcomes-based Partnership for Excellence in Research and Academic Training Enhancement (COOPERATE)".
Of the 44 representatives from the UP System, seven UPOU faculty members participated in the academic visit. These include Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, Dr. Melinda Lumanta, Dr. Jean Saludadez, Asst. Prof. Finaflor Taylan, Asst. Prof. Roberto Figueroa and Asst. Prof. Cesar Luna. Ms. Agnes Mejia, Administrative Officer of the Office of the Chancellor, also joined the trip as the support staff.
The academic visit involved grouping the participants according to their areas of specialization, which were basic and applied sciences (22-24 May); humanities, creative arts and visual communication (24-26 May); business management, social sciences, philosophy and gender studies; and engineering (26-28 May). Each group was exposed to different amenities and programs that were relevant to their specialization. These include amenities in Shu-Te University (STU), National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU), National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST).
As a result of the trip, the UPOU delegation has initial proposals as areas of collaboration with the Taiwan Universities. These will be submitted to the UP System for funding under different research and creative grants. Asst. Prof. Figueroa identified "Comparative visualization of CMIP5 GCMs in Philippines and Taiwan" and "Collaborative projects on the Internet of Things." Dr. Lumanta is proposing the "Development of a graduate course on models for sustainability science research using a systems approach." Asst. Prof. Luna is proposing the "Development of a strategic property development and management plan for incorporating/promoting green technologies and sustainable practices in the UPOU campus." Dr. Saludadez, on the other hand, identified "The organization of knowledge on social entrepreneurship in the Philippines and Taiwan." Asst. Prof. Taylan is looking at "Exploring Distributed Open and Collaborative Courses (DOCCs) on Women and Gender Studies towards Gender Empowerment and Equality." (Anna Cañas-Llamas)
