UPOU signals start of the construction of its international convention center in groundbreaking rites.UPOU held several activities to mark its 21st UPOU Anniversary on 29 February 2016, including the launch of the digital exhibit and an online journal, and recognition of personnel with exemplary service.
UPOU Digital Exhibit
First to be launched during the anniversary program was the "The Physical as the Virtual Text: A Digital Exhibit of UPOU Artifacts." As explained by Dr. Primo Garcia, Chair of the Cultural Committee and Exhibit Curator, the digital exhibit features buildings, works of art, mementos and other artifacts that have characterized the university. "Instead of sharing these on the web or showing them on print, the narratives behind these objects are presented using multimedia application. This exhibit is our attempt to textualize the physical, and to make the virtual, material. After all UPOU is a confluence of the virtual and physical, the real and the hyperreal."
To mark the official launch of the exhibit, UP President Alfredo Pascual scanned a QR code of a UPOU artifact using a smartphone. The UP President was assisted by Asst. Prof. Reinald Pugoy, who worked with Assistant Prof. Al Librero and Assistant Prof. Roberto Figueroa to develop the codes for this exhibit.
Launch of IJODeL
Dr. Felix Librero, UPOU Professor Emeritus, presented and introduced the International Journal on Open ad Distance e-Learning, the academic journal of UPOU and the Philippine Society for Distance Learning. IJODeL is an open access, semi-annual journal accessible at ijodel.com, devoted to the publication of research, book reviews, theoretical reviews and good practices in the fields of e-learning. Its editorial board, headed by Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, consists of ODeL experts from UPOU, Universitas Terbuka in Indonesia, and the National Council for Teacher Education in India. Peer reviewers come from UPOU, Indiana University School of Education in the USA, the Open University of Hong Kong and Athabasca University in Canada.
The editorial staff is composed of Dr. Librero as Chief Editor, Ms. Alvie Alip as Managing Editor, Asst. Prof. Roberto Figueroa and Asst. Prof. Reinald Pugoy as Web Team Members, Ms. Eleanor Manipol as Graphic Designer, and Ms. Aizel Dolom as Editorial Assistant.
IJODeL is published in June and December of each year. Dr. Librero opened the invitation for paper submission to the journal.
Gawad Tsanselor
The anniversary also became the venue to properly recognize the exemplary work and outstanding service rendered by UPOU staff members. Asst. Prof. Roberto Figuero was awarded the Gawad Tsanselor for Outstanding Faculty for 2016. The recipient of the Gawad Tsanselor for Outstanding REPS is Ms. Margaret Jarmin. Ms. Percia Secreto was awarded the Gawad Tsanselor for Outstanding Administrative Staff (2nd level), and Mr. Alejandro Zamora received the Gawad Tsanselor for Outstanding Administrative Staff (1st level).
During the anniversary celebration, the university also recognized its partners, did a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the UPOU International Convention Center, and held a Family Day. Two days later, the UPOU held its Sectoral Conference to clarify issues governing the sectors and eventually come up wiith updated UPOU Faculty, REPS and Administrative Staff manuals. (Anna Cañas-Llamas)
