The release of the 2024 University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) schedule sparked coverage from multiple media outlets, resulting in a surge in registration.
Key highlights of the recent developments include the significant media impact that started on 30 January 2024, with PhilSTAR Life initiating coverage, followed by a post from the Philippine Star that immediately went viral. Further recognition came from Manila Bulletin, featuring a news article highlighting UPOU’s offering of 24 free online courses, emphasizing the flexibility of completing them at one’s convenience.
UPOU also received invitations from TeleRadyo Serbisyo & DWPM Radyo 630, TV Patrol, and ANC to discuss MOOCs. During these interviews, Director Myra Almodiel of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) delved deep into MOOCs and provided insightful information on the university’s innovative work in online education and its dedication to increasing access to quality education.
Further media coverage from different news outlets* sparked a heightened interest in applicants. An influx of inquiries flooded UPOU’s communication channels, primarily through the UPOU mailers, Facebook messages, and “Openg,” the university’s chatbot for MOOCs.
Since the surge began up to the latest weekly registration cutoff at 4:00 PM on 8 February 2024, more than 97,700 registered users were added, and the number continues to increase.
The surge in the number of registrations in MOOCs is not new to UPOU. Looking back, a surge in MOOC enrollment was also observed in 2023, coinciding with the posting of the MOOC Calendar on the official Facebook Page of the UPOU MODeL on 19 January 2023. The post has gone viral, reaching over one million Facebook users, with an additional 96,980 users in just two weeks.
This surge reflects the platform’s growing popularity and solidifies MODeL’s position as a prominent MOOC platform in the country. UPOU’s MOOCs is a flagship program that is part of the university’s public service initiatives in attaining Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4)—ensuring inclusive and quality education for all—in compliance with Republic Act No.10650.
This year, UPOU has introduced two new courses. The first MOOC, “Basics of Resilience,” caters to individuals aspiring to develop specialized competencies in disaster and climate management. The second addition is the “Microcredential on Digital Office Efficiency Training,” which focuses on providing employees with the necessary skills and mindsets to maintain productivity and foster teamwork, regardless of their location. These MOOCs are microcredential courses that can be stacked into units and credits.
Interested applicants may also check out the most enrolled courses from the following MOOC categories: Educational Media Production, Gender Responsive Education, Child Rights Protection and Promotion, ODeL Teacher Accreditation, and Sustainable Development.
For more details about MOOCs, visit model.upou.edu.ph. Stay informed about new course offerings by liking and following our official Facebook Page, UPOU Massive Open Distance e-Learning.
Media coverage:
*Philippine Star, PhilSTAR Life, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN News Lifestyle, Rappler, ONE News, GMA News, SpotPH, PepPH, RepublicAsia, The Post, Manila Standard, InqPOP!, and Good News Pilipinas
Written by Shaira Tanay and Zyrene Villanueva ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas
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