University of the Philippines Open University

University of the Philippines Open University
Motto	Honor and Excellence
Type	Distance learning institution
Established	February 23, 1995
Chancellor	Dr. Melinda dP. Bandelaria
President	Alfredo E. Pascual
Academic staff	203 (2013)
Students	2,568 (2013)
Undergraduates	512 (2013)
Postgraduates	2,056 (2013)
Location	Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Hymn	"U.P. Naming Mahal" ("U.P. Beloved")
Colors	UP Maroon and UP Forest Green
Nickname	Fighting Maroons
Affiliations	ICDE, AAOU, PSDL
Website	upou.edu.ph

The University of the Philippines Open University (also referred to as UPOU, UP Open University, or UP OpenU) is a public research university and distance learning institution headquartered in Los Baños, Laguna. It was established on February 23, 1995 as the fifth constituent university of the University of the Philippines System. Its mandate is to provide education opportunities to individuals aspiring for higher education and improved qualifications but were unable to take advantage of traditional modes of education because of personal and professional obligations. It is recognized as the country's top open and distance learning institution by virtue of Republic Act No. 10650, also known as the Open and Distance Learning Act of 2014

UP OpenU provides quality higher and continuing education to Filipinos through the distance education system. Its mission is to give its students formal qualification, as well as to develop in them the discipline and capability to become lifelong learners who are at home in today's knowledge society.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has declared the UP OpenU as the National Center of Excellence in Open Learning and Distance Education in recognition of its achievements in this field and its vital role in pushing the frontiers of learning in service to the Filipino nation.

The U.P. Open University aims to:

Offer through open and distance learning degree and non-degree programs that are responsive to the needs of learners and of the society of which they are a part;
Develop a system of continuing education to sustain professional growth and promote lifelong learning;
Develop and adapt delivery systems appropriate to distance learners;
Provide leadership in the development of open learning and distance education expertise in the country and in the appropriate use of information and communication technologies of education; and
Make instructional packages accessible to various publics through collaborative arrangements, institutional agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms.

Mode of Teaching & Learning

The U.P. Open University delivers its programs and courses through distance education (DE). In this mode, teachers and learners are separated by time and space. Learners study in an independent self-learning style using specially designed learning materials and resources. Teaching and learning is mediated through the use of technology like print, audio, video, and the internet. Students interact with their instructors and each other through virtual classrooms, email, and web conferencing. Almost all UPOU courses are offered through online learning mode, making them accessible to learners from different parts of the country and the world.

Faculties of Studies

UP OpenU has three faculties of studies, each headed by a dean:

Faculty of Education (FEd)

The Faculty of Education (FEd) covers the following range of areas of study: general education, alternative education, language and literacy education, science and mathematics teaching, social studies education, and distance education.

Faculty of Information & Communication Studies (FICS)

FICS offers degree programs in communication, information systems, computer science, and multimedia studies.

Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS)

FMDS offers a range of postgraduate programs in R&D management, environment and natural resources management, land valuation and management, public management, social work, nursing, hospital administration, and public health as well as non-formal programs in entrepreneurship, health, and land valuation.

Academic Programs

The U.P. Open University offers the following degree programs:

Undergraduate Programs

Associate in Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studie
Bachelor of Education Studies

Graduate Certificate Program

Graduate Certificate in ASEAN Studies
Graduate Certificate in Distance Education (within the Master of Distance Education)

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma Programs

Diploma in Social Work
Diploma in Computer Science
Diploma in International Health
Diploma in Research and Development Management
Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management
Diploma in Land Valuation and Management
Diploma in Science Teaching
Diploma in Math Teaching
Diploma in Language and Literacy Education for Teachers
Diploma in Social Studies Education

Master's Programs

Master of ASEAN Studies
Master of Social Work
Master of Development Communication
Master of Distance Education
Master of International Health
Master of Land Valuation and Management
Master of Public Health
Master in Hospital Administration
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Public Management
Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management
Master of Arts in Education (Language and Literacy Education)
Master of Arts in Social Studies Education
Master of Information Systems
Master of Arts in Communication

Doctoral Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Biology Education, Chemistry Education, Physics Education, Mathematics Education)
Doctor of Communication

Non-formal Courses

The U.P. Open University offers several non-formal courses and certificate programs. These are:

Caring for the Special Child
Caring for the Elderly
Community Mental Health
Health Research Methods
New Enterprise Planning
Online Teaching and Learning
Organic Agriculture
Personal Entrepreneurial Development
Introduction to E-Commerce
Professional Teaching Certification
Simplified Accounting for Entrepreneurs
Continuing Professional Education Program on Land Valuation

U.P. Open University Headquarters

The U.P. Open University Headquarters is located in Los Baños, Laguna, close to the International Rice Research Institute. Set against the picturesque view of Mount Makiling, its main administrative and annex buildings house the main offices,including the Office of the Chancellor (OC), the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA), the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (OVCFA), and the Faculties of Studies Offices. The Center Center for Digital Learning (CCDL) Auditorium is also in this complex.

A major landmark in the UPOU Headquarters is the U.P. Open University Oblation sculpture that stands in the Oblation Plaza in front of the main building. It is a replica of National Artist Guillermo Tolentino's U.P. Oblation, which depicts a man facing upward with arms outstretched, symbolizing selfless offering of oneself to the country. UPOU’s Oblation stands on a pedestal with a ribbon-like flag swirling around the pedestal and the Oblation. This gives an effect of the flag lifting the Oblation into greater heights and gives it the boundless reach that is symbolic of UPOU's prime objective of widening access to UP quality education. It was designed and executed by University Artist and UPOU Chancellor Dr. Grace J. Alfonso in 2005. The UPOU Oblation statue also provides a stately background to the Oblation Plaza where the annual commencement exercises are held.

The University also maintains a satellite office at the National Computer Center Building in Diliman, Quezon City.

Learning Centers

The U.P. Open University has several Learning Centers in strategic locations in the country. These Centers are the venues where students can conduct and seek advice on the following transactions, activities and procedures:

application for admission
registration
student orientation
distribution of course materials
dropping of subjects
filing leave of absence
examinations
accessing library materials
face-to-face tutorials (if available)
tutorials on basic computer and internet literacy

Learning Centers are mostly located in other U.P. campuses and state universities in selected regions of the country.

To serve the student support needs of offshore students, the University has created the Virtual Learning Center, where all transactions and procedures are conducted and communicated online.

Contact information and announcements of each learning center such as schedule of exams are posted in their respective sites.

Research

U.P. Open University conducts research in distance education (DE) and the disciplines it currently offers.

The University has spearheaded research in open and distance learning in the country. Its research in this area has delved into the following topics: DE learner profile, learning styles, and learner performance; online teaching and learning; virtual learning environments; computer-mediated collaborative learning; gender and distance education; pedagogical approaches in distance education; DE program evaluation; and management of DE.

In addition, the University has also pursued research in the following discipline-based areas: education, information and communication technology, multimedia, communication, organization and management, public policy, environment, health, and development studies. Many of these discipline-based studies have been externally funded.

Notable alumni

Jejomar Binay - Diploma in Environment and Natural Resource Management graduate. Former Makati City Mayor, Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines
Miguel Zubiri - Graduate, Master in Environment and Natural Resources Management. Senator of the Republic of the Philippines
Sharon Cuneta - Associate in Arts student; singer, actress, television host; wife of Senator Francis Pangilinan
Eliza Pineda - Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies; actress
Toni Gonzaga - Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies; singer, actress, television host
Sarah Geronimo - Associate in Arts; singer, actress
Rachelle Ann Go - Associate in Arts student; singer
Richard Gomez - Associate in Arts graduate of 2009; actor
Jackielou Blanco - Associate in Arts student; actress, bodybuilder, fitness instructor
Catherine Untalan - Graduate, Master of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, Miss Earth Philippines
Kris Psyche Resus - Associate in Arts student; former Miss Philippines Earth 2010
Emmerie Dale Cunanan - Associate in Arts student; former 2nd Runner-Up Turismo Filipina 2008, Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2010

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "U.P. Statistics 2013" (PDF). University of the Philippines. University of the Philippines system. 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015.

External links

[UP2013Statistics-1] "U.P. Statistics 2013" (PDF). University of the Philippines. University of the Philippines system. 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015.

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