The UP Open University gathered for the Annual General Assembly at the UPOU Headquarters last 20 December 2022.
The hybrid event convened around 253 UPOU employees and staff to hear about the progress and achievements of UPOU for the year 2022. Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, reported the accomplishments of the University based on the four strategic areas which are 1) Performing major functions of a University 2) UPOU as part of the only National University in the country 3) UP in the International ODeL Community through UPOU, and 4) Systems Improvement Towards Efficiency of Operations within the Institutional QA Framework.
Chancellor Bandalaria highlighted the efforts of each office in achieving the mandate of UPOU as the National Open University. She reported the various accomplishments of the university in the four strategic areas. In terms of Instruction, the offered programs, new programs, and student data on admission, registration, and graduation. On Upgraded Learner Support, the accomplishments are in terms of Independent Learner Skills Development and Bridge Courses, Microsites, Orientations, Trainings, and Workshops for Students, Counseling and Guidance, Mental Health and Wellness Initiatives, Scholarships and Financial Assistance, and Library Access; For Reconfigured Instructional Support, microsites for resources and training programs for Faculty and Support Staff; and Quality Management includes the initiatives of the UPOU QA Team as well as the initiatives involving Sustainable Development Goals, Data Collection and Micro-credentialling.
In performing the major functions of the university, she reported the accomplishment of the university in terms of Research and Publications. As part of the only National University in the country, she presented the various public service initiatives that were accomplished as part of the RA 9500 and RA 10650 including webinars, continuing education programs, MOOCs, benchmarking activities, other training sessions and workshops conducted for various institutions, public service projects in collaboration with various institutions, as well as accomplishments in alumni, media and public affairs.
In placing UP in the International ODeL Community, UPOU initiatives towards global competitiveness include student exchange and engagement, international partnerships, the various local and international engagements of the Chancellor, the list of foreign fellows and lecturers, and local and international affiliations and partners. For the fourth strategic area of systems improvement towards the efficiency of operations within the institutional QA framework, included are Human Resource profile and development initiatives, infrastructure projects, IT infrastructure, and the list of awards and recognition that were received by the institution and the faculty and staff members.
Moreover, Mr. Michael Lagaya, Chief Administrative Officer of the UPOU Human Resource Development Office, led the awarding of loyal employees who have worked in the university for 5 to 35 years. The awardees received cash awards corresponding with the number of years they have worked with UP and UPOU.
The annual general assembly serves as the sole event where the entire UPOU unites to recognize one another’s hard work and perseverance throughout the entire year.
Sustainable Development Goals
Written by Ren Antoinette Leovido
Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas