University of the Philippines Open University
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) is a public research and open university and distance education institution headquartered in the town of Los Baños, Laguna, with satellite offices in Quezon City, Metro Manila. It is the fifth constituent university of the University of the Philippines System. Established in 1995 from the UP Distance Education Program. UPOU offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees as well as diploma courses and Professional Teaching Certificates (PTC) to Filipino students in more than 70 countries. It also offers MOOCs on various subjects through its official platform, Massive  Open Distance eLearning (MODeL), and hosts it's degree programs through its official student portal, MyPortal, both learning platforms were developed using a free and open-source learning management system called Moodle. As of 2019, UPOU had 4,086 students enrolled in various programs representing 7.3% of the student population of the entire university system. This makes it the 4th largest constituent university by student population after UP Manila, and just slightly more than UP Visayas, which had 7.2%, while having the smallest budget of any constituent university. UPOU is a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education  (ICDE). History. University of the Philippines Open University was established on February 23, 1995 as the fifth constituent university of the University of the Philippines System. It is mandated by Republic Act No. 10650, also known as the Open and Distance Learning Act of 2014 to assist the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on their open distance learning functions. Academics. The U.P. Open University delivers its programs and courses through distance education (DE). 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 internet. Students interact with their instructors and each other through virtual classrooms, email and web conferencing. UP Open University also uses short-messaging system (SMS) for distance learning which in has become a subject of study by the Virtual University of Pakistan. Almost all courses are offered through online learning mode. 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. 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 Centennial 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 transactions, activities and procedures regarding 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) and 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. Academic affiliation. UPOU maintains membership in the follow local and international academic associations: