UPOU Faculty of Management & Development Studies

23/09/2026

This coming International Day of the Older Persons and Elderly Filipino Week, let us rediscover learning as a fundamental right for all persons, regardless of age.

In connection with the implementation of the UPOU’s Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) for the 3rdAgers Program, the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), in partnership with the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), is launching the maiden broadcast of “Beyond 60: A Magazine Program for the Elderly” on 1 October 2026 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Join us live via the UPOU Networks page and the UP Open University YouTube channel! Register using the link below:
🔗 url.upou.edu.ph/beyond60-reg

“Beyond 60: A Magazine Program for the Elderly” is an official activity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Open Education and Lifelong Learning, hosted by UPOU (2026-2030).

This coming International Day of the Older Persons and Elderly Filipino Week, let us rediscover learning as a fundamental right for all persons, regardless of age.

In connection with the implementation of the UPOU’s Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) for the 3rdAgers Program, the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), in partnership with the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), is launching the maiden broadcast of “Beyond 60: A Magazine Program for the Elderly” on 1 October 2026 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Join us live via the UPOU Networks page and the UP Open University YouTube channel! Register using the link below:

🔗 url.upou.edu.ph/beyond60-reg

“Beyond 60: A Magazine Program for the Elderly” is an official activity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Open Education and Lifelong Learning, hosted by UPOU (2026-2030).

22/09/2026

Last Batch of EQR for 2026 officially started!

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), through the Quality Assurance Office (QAO), officially kicked off its 6th External Quality Review (EQR) through an opening ceremony for the review of the Diploma in Research and Development Management (DR&DM) and Master of International Health (MIH) programs.

The three-day EQR will feature a series of activities designed to provide the External Reviewers with a comprehensive understanding of the programs. The first two days will include interviews with various stakeholders, including academic staff, support staff, students, alumni, and employers, as well as physical and virtual facilities visits.

Stay tuned for updates as the 6th EQR unfolds!

22/09/2026

🎶 What if the songs we listen to are shaping the communities we belong to?

Across ASEAN, music has always carried more than melody—the gongs, bamboo instruments, songs and shared rhythms echo throughout the region, connecting people long before any treaty did. When we hear ourselves in each other's music, something shifts: we stop being separate audiences and start becoming community.

That's the idea behind our next session of 𝑳𝒆𝒕'𝒔 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒊𝒕 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓:

"From Listener to Citizen: Music as a Constitutive Force of ASEAN Community"

We'll explore how sound—not just as entertainment, but as a living, border-crossing practice—turns listeners into citizens of a region we're still learning to call home.

Event details:
📅 29 September 2026, Tuesday
⏰ 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Philippine Standard Time)
📍 via Zoom
📌 Register at: https://url.upou.edu.ph/LTIO-Reg29Sept26

We invite students, scholars, and all those interested in ASEAN to join the conversation.

21/09/2026

Huge congratulations to FMDS UPOU alumna Frances Sison-Medalla, MSW, for successfully passing the Social Workers Licensure Examination (SWLE)! Her journey showcases how UPOU’s flexible distance learning environment empowers working professionals to advance their education, earn professional credentials, and continuously serve their communities.

Read more at https://fmds.upou.edu.ph/archives/news-and-events/11325/

21/09/2026

Today, UP marks the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. In recalling this period in Philippine history, the University highlights the experiences and sacrifices of members of the UP community during Martial Law and encourages the community to participate in meaningful and lawful activities in observance of the UP Day of Remembrance.

Read the full UP statement below.

UP commemorates today, the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. As it recalls an "era marred by political suppression, severe human rights abuses, and pervasive corruption," it calls on the members of its community to "participate in meaningful and lawful activities to commemorate our Day of Remembrance."

Read the statement in full below.

21/09/2026

Your UPOU journey starts here

Welcome to all new students joining UPOU for the 1st Trimester of AY 2026–2027!

Wishing you a productive and rewarding trimester ahead. May you find your rhythm, stay on track with your studies, and make steady progress toward your goals.

Welcome to UPOU, and all the best this trimester!

21/09/2026

Where learning takes a different path

As a new academic year begins, UPOU welcomes learners embarking on their Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) journey.

In a recent podcast conversation, UPOU Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano reflects on her journey as an educator and leader, and on UPOU’s continuing mission to expand access to quality education especially for learners who face geographic, professional, and personal barriers.

From building inclusive learning communities to navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI, Dr. Serrano shares how UPOU continues to evolve while staying true to its purpose: making quality education more accessible to those who need it most.

Read the full article to learn more about Dr. Serrano’s journey, UPOU’s mission, and her vision for the future of open learning: https://www.upou.edu.ph/.../a-different-path-the-same.../

As a new academic year begins at UPOU, many new students are experiencing Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) for the first time. We look back at a recent podcast conversation with UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano, where she discusses leading an open university, serving marginalized groups, expandin...

21/09/2026

UPOU joins the Bañamos Parade 2026

IN PHOTOS: The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) joined the Los Baños community in celebrating the Bañamos Festival Parade on 17 September 2026.

Bañamos Festival is an annual celebration that brings the Los Baños community together to honor its culture, heritage, and identity through various festivities and community activities.

UPOU officials, faculty, and staff took part in the parade alongside fellow members of the community.

For this year’s parade, UPOU presented a balanghay-inspired float made with recycled materials, symbolizing our shared journey toward sustainable development and the role of open and distance e-learning in building a more thriving future.

21/09/2026

In the Metaverse, does the environment matter more than the interaction?

A study by Julius G. Garcia of the Technological University of the Philippines and Alvie Simonette Q. Alip of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) examined how environmental design, visual elements, and communication features shape students’ experiences in the Metaverse.

Among the three, environmental design had the strongest influence on user experience, while communication features had the weakest.
What does this mean for the future of virtual learning spaces?
Read the full article: https://www.upou.edu.ph/.../beyond-the-metaverse-design.../

Beyond the Metaverse design factors: Does conversation in the virtual world matter? Imagine entering a virtual classroom. Instead of sitting behind a screen, you find yourself inside a three-dimensional learning space where you can walk around, examine objects, manipulate virtual equipment, and move...

19/09/2026

🎉 TODAY'S THE DAY! 🎉

Welcome to the FMDS Student Orientation for the First Semester/Trimester of AY 2026–2027!

Today marks the beginning of an exciting academic journey for our newest FMDS students. Join us as we introduce the programs, services, opportunities, and support systems that will help you thrive in your Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) experience.

📅 Today, 19 September 2026 (Saturday)
🕜 1:30 PM (Philippine Standard Time)

📍 Onsite: UPOU CCDL Auditorium, Los Baños, Laguna
💻 Online: Zoom and UPOU Networks page

For our new students, this is your chance to connect with fellow learners, meet FMDS faculty and staff, and get the information you need to start the semester with confidence.

See you later, FMDS students! We are excited to welcome you to the FMDS family and support you throughout your learning journey.