Formally sealing a robust collaboration that shall enhance distance learning to the highest standards, University of Batangas Distance Education (UBDE), the first private distance education institution in CALABARZON, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) at the UB Patio Cafe, September 11.
United in the common purpose of providing quality education for everyone anytime and anywhere, UPOU Chancellor Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandelaria envisioned in her speech that the agreement between the two distance learning providers serves as a roadmap to horizons of cooperation and represents a partnership of trust, respect, and aspiration.
“This marks our strong partnership with UPOU where we will have more leverage when it comes to the training of faculty members, academic exchange, student exchange, faculty exchange, and even research,” stated Mr. Carl Ivan Villanueva, UBDE Director.
Under the said agreement, different kinds of training will be given to faculty members such as curriculum design, instructional learning materials design, support services, learners support, and others.
“It also gives me immense pleasure to see other higher education institutions establishing a unit that would solely focus on the offering of programs in the distance e-learning mode of instruction. Sabi ko nga, my vision really is for distance education, distance e-learning to be the default, not the option,” emphasized Dr. Bandelaria.
Apart from the MOU, the occasion featured the official launch of the Distance Learner Application (DLA), a one-stop application through the expertise of the Information and Technology Center (ITC) where UBDE students can freely access University-related services to cater their needs such as appointments for online meetings, open educational resources from the Learning Resource Center (LRC), etc.
University President Lily Marlene Hernandez, Chairman of the Board of Regents Atty. Jesus Mayo, Senior Vice President for Administration Mr. Alex Ramos, Vice President for External Affairs Dr. Abegayle Machelle Perez-Chua, Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Academic Affairs Dr. Lolita Tegon, UBDE Director Mr. Villanueva, UBDE Core team, and other officials represented the institution during the event.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Bandelaria and Program Development Associate (PDA) for Institutional Linkages Ms. Margaret Jarmin-Suarez constituted the UPOU delegation to the university.
“We are excited to move forward and realize our mission and vision in the University of Batangas Distance Education with the help of the best distance education in the Philippines—UPOU,” ended Director Villanueva.
Text: Carlos Kim Raphael Perez (The Westernian Advocate)
