The University of the Philippines Open University welcomed Trinity University of Asia for a benchmarking visit on 08 August 2024 at UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
Visitors from Trinity University of Asia were headed by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Howell Ho, together with Dr. Mark Francisco, Dean of Medical Technology; Dr. Julius Somera, Principal of the Trinity High School; Dr. Mark Daevid Adem, Faculty of College of Hospitality and Tourism Management; Engr. May Anne Laciste, Manager of Trinitian Center for Education and Technology; and Ms. Matilde C. Asuncion, Vice President for Administration and Finance.
Dr. Myra Almodiel, Director of UPOU Office of Public Affairs (OPA) joined by Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao, Director of the UPOU Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning (CODTL), led the discussion on the general information about UPOU’s initiatives on distance learning.
TUA delegates explored UPOU’s offering of Microcredentials and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). They also inquired about UPOU’s open resources and materials, student services including legal matters, course development with Creative Commons licensing, and certification processes in UPOU’s courses.
The process and components for training requests, specifically on the topics delving into creation of learning materials, were explained by Dr. Bagarinao for the interest of the visitors for their next meeting plans.
In line with RA 10650, the “Open Distance Learning Act,” and its dedication to Sustainable Development Goals No. 4 (Quality Education) and No. 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), UPOU is vital in enhancing cooperation between institutions and organizations to ensure accessible, high-quality education and support collective progress in the educational field.
Written by Marinela Hernandez ♦ Edited by Dr. Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Photo by Anna Mhari Duria