The University of the Philippines Open University’s (UPOU) semester/trimester starts anew. In coordination with the Information Office, the Office of the University Registrar (OUR), Library, Multimedia Center (MC), Information and Communication Technology Development Office (ICTDO), Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) and Faculty Offices, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) spearheaded the General Orientation for New Students for the Second Semester/Trimester 2018-2019 on 12 January 2019. The event was held at the Centennial Center for Digital Learning (CCDL) Auditorium, UPOU Headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines with about 33 students in attendance and 28 students watching via web streaming through the UPOU Networks. The attendees were from the Bachelor of Education Studies (BES), Graduate Certificate in Distance Education (GCDE)/ Master of Distance Education (MDE), Diploma in Language and Literacy Education (DLLE), Diploma in Social Studies Education (DSSE), Diploma in Mathematics Teaching (DMT), Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD) and Professional Teaching Certification (PTC) programs of the Faculty of Education (FEd). There were also Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) students under the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) and Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management (MENRM), Master of Public Management (MPM), Master of Social Work (MSW) and Diploma in Land Valuation and Management (DLVM) under the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS). They were gladly welcomed with a warm message from Dr. Melinda F. Lumanta, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of UPOU.
Learning through open and distance e-learning (ODeL) was discussed by the Director of the Information Office, Dr. Joane V. Serrano. The academic processes from admission to graduation was then tackled by Ms. Victoria Canape-Belegal from OUR. Available services and resources from the library were identified by the College Librarian, Ms. Jennifer S. Belen. MyPortal, UPOU’s Learning Management System and the links to various technical support services, were introduced by Mr. Tomas B. Cabagay, Jr. of ICTDO. Next was the discussion of the types of examinations and the different examination venues locally and abroad, among others, by Ms. Erlinda M. Manarin, from the OSA Examination Services. Ms. Luisa A. Gelisan, Director of MC, introduced the UPOU Networks. She showed how an event, specifically the ongoing general orientation, is being web streamed and can be viewed live via networks.upou.edu.ph. The guidelines on promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality in the University of the Philippines as approved by the UP Board of Regents and the issues on Anti-Sexual Harassment were discussed by Asst. Prof. Rameses A. De Jesus, Director of OGC. Finally, the Faculty Secretary of FMDS, Asst. Prof. Rita C. Ramos, gave inspiring tips and study skills that the students may utilize to become effective and successful distance education learners.
OSA Director, Ms. Yasele Irene Angela M. Yambao, capped the morning session with her brief closing remarks. She acknowledged the offices behind the event and thanked the attendees. The orientation per Faculty Office and its respective programs followed in the afternoon in separate venues.
Prior to the general orientation program, a Campus Tour around the University was led by the Information Office and the Research Assistants from the FEd, FICS and FMDS. (Erlinda Manarin)
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