THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Open University renewed its partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture through signing a series of agreements last month.

UPOU said the signing aims to sustain the “nurturing relationship between the two institutions especially in the conduct of collaborative research projects, implementation of non-formal online courses, and the interlinking of institutional cooperation.”

The University of the Philippines Open University Foundation, Inc. will help strengthen the bond between UPOU and SEARCA in realizing their shared goals, it added.

UPOU Chancellor Dr. Melinda Bandalaria emphasized the longstanding collaboration between UPOU and SEARCA, describing the series of MOU and MOA signings “as the reinvigoration of both institutions’ vows to produce quality research and deliver education in an exemplary manner.”

SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio said that they have long been supportive of the university’s endeavors.

The collaboration led to the continuous offering of non-formal courses and the flourishing of research projects, UPOU said.

The signing activity also highlighted the upcoming International Tri-Conference: International Conference on Open and Distance eLearning, International Symposium on Education and AI Convergence, and ASEANnale to be held on August 22-25, 2023.

“The three-in-one conference has a theme of ‘Sustainability in Education: Intersections, Ideation, Innovations’ which would provide a forum for distance education and e-learning scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to share and reflect experiences to scrutinize the endless possibilities of ODeL,” UPOU said.

“This would also determine opportunities in the use of artificial intelligence in the delivery of education. Further, it will showcase the creative and artistic works of ASEAN students and faculty as regards to film production and other multimedia materials as well as other research endeavors exhibiting ASEAN culture,” it added.