WRAP VIDEO

The year 2023 has been fruitful for the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), improving students, faculty, and staff member’s welfare, ensuring quality education, widening networks through local and global partnerships, enhancing publicity initiatives, and providing public service.

UPOU upheld its mission of providing quality education by offering four (4) new associate programs and one (1) new doctoral program in 2023. The university also initiated the development of microcredentials. Training was also provided to faculty members to reconfigure instructional support further. UPOU has shown more support to its students through training and workshops, wellness initiatives, scholarships and financial aid, support for establishing student organizations and activities, student and graduate assistantships, and many more. The Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning (CODTL) and the Quality Assurance Office (QAO) were also established this year to ensure the quality of the university’s teaching and learning, its processes, procedures, and standards. The 571 graduates this year, of which 20 received Latin Honors, and 82 graduated with distinction, prove the quality of education provided by UPOU.

As the premier university for online learning and open education, UPOU has led the knowledge society through several research support systems, the production of UPOU publications, research fora and workshops, research projects, creative works, and participation in international research ethics.

As a way to give back to the community, the university has delivered public service through webinars, continuing education programs (CEPs), free massive open online courses (MOOCs), benchmarking activities, and training sessions and workshops for other institutions.

The university also ensured it was globally competitive through student and staff exchange, international affiliations and memberships, international partnerships, and local partnerships.

This year, the university has completed several infrastructure projects and is undertaking several ongoing projects to improve staff and students’ welfare. The IT infrastructure was also improved by deploying and upgrading systems.

UPOU has received awards and recognitions for academic endeavors and creative competitions locally and internationally brought by its students, faculty, and staff members. UPOU faculty members also received the One UP Professional Chair Awards, and UPOU Professors for the One UP Faculty Grant Awards.

As it embarks on this new chapter, UPOU vows to remain dedicated to its mission. The university shall continue to strive to stay globally competitive and maintain its national relevance by serving as the country’s leader in open distance e-learning. UPOU is committed to continuously providing quality and inclusive education, contributing to knowledge generation, reconfiguring educational paradigms, and attaining sustainability and accessibility for an innovative future. In addition, UPOU will maintain the values of honor and excellence, widen its reach through public service projects, and improve its facilities and services. This unwavering commitment guarantees that UPOU will continue to expand and empower future generations and guide academic progress.

Written by Zyrene Edrei Villanueva ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Graphics and Video by Anna Mhari Duria

Sustainable Development Goals

#UPOpenUniversity

The IFSS 2025 formally concluded with a meaningful closing ceremony.UPOU Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, Chair of the IFSS 2025 Program Committee, delivered a synthesis of the forum, emphasizing the values aligned with the discussion areas of the IFSS2025. She ended with a call to continually act together for justice, for regeneration, for a future where everyone has just not food, but dignity, health, and the opportunity thrive.An exchange of institutional gifts was held among the representatives from UPOU, DOST, TUPV, STI West Negros University, and Negros Power.Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants of IFSS 2025.The Best Paper Award was conferred by Dr. Gerome Salas, member of the IFSS 2025 Paper Committee to the following winners:- Arwen Jover, Joval Martinez, Aran Jay Nonato, Raezel Harvey Pitong, and Angel Hope Robles with their paper entitled “Functional Characterization of Potassium Solubilization Potential of Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria for Sustainable Agricultural Biofertilizer Development." (Best Paper Award)- Thushari Senavirathna and Brian Dunsford with their paper entitled "Bamboo Pots (Bambusa vulgaris) as a Circular and Regenerative Alternative in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Nurseries." (2nd Best Paper Award)- Gregorio Crisostomo, Crizel Ann Biton, Henmark De la Cruz, Ma. Korina Claudia Hinayan, Ronald Ray Labayen, Charisse Pesquera, Jayboy Santillan, and Joel Manuel Villaluz with their paper entitled "Multi-Crop Powder Processing Machine for Enhancing the Value of Root Crops in Negros." (3rd Best Paper Award)The Best Poster Award was presented by Dr. Gerald Salas, Member of the IFSS 2025 Awards Committee, to Gregorio Crisostomo with his paper entitled “Development of a Portable Solar-Powered Mechanized Silk Reeling Device for Sustainable Silk Production of Rural Negros Island Farmers."The Best Sustainable Showcase Award of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair was presented by Engr. Glady T. Reyes, Co-Chair of the IFSS 2025 SDG Fair Committee, to Subay Marketing.Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug, Provincial Director of the DOST Negros Island Region, delivered his closing remarks with a hope that the seeds planted in IFSS 2025 continue to grow, flourish and bear fruit for generations to come.#IFSS2025 #Sustainability ... See MoreSee Less
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