UP Open University earns Asian universities accreditation

UP Open University earns prestigious AAOU accreditation

The AAOU accreditation team, UPOU CAC officials and other office/unit heads, and UPOU QAC members during the opening ceremony of the accreditation.

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has earned institutional accreditation from the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), a significant milestone in its mission to provide quality distance education.

The accreditation process, conducted Nov. 5-7, 2024, involved a thorough evaluation led by the UPOU Quality Assurance Office (QAO) in collaboration with various university offices and units.

The three-day assessment showcased the university’s commitment to upholding global standards in open and distance learning. The AAOU’s QA-Based Accreditation Process evaluates institutions offering technology-driven higher education, addressing challenges in academic delivery.

Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria acknowledged the extensive preparations for the Self-Assessment Report (SAR), a key component of the accreditation. She highlighted the collaborative efforts of the UPOU community in achieving this recognition.

The accreditation team was chaired by Prof. Kam Cheong Li, dean of the School of Open Learning at Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Li outlined the accreditation framework, emphasizing that quality is fundamental to education.

During the evaluation, the team interviewed 78 stakeholders, including students, alumni, employers, academic staff, and contributors to the SAR, to gain a comprehensive understanding of UPOU’s operations and impact.

Facility tours, conducted both physically and virtually, were integral to the process. The physical tour highlighted offices supporting academic services and multimedia production facilities crucial for developing dynamic educational content.

The virtual tour showcased UPOU’s digital infrastructure, including institutional information systems, instructional tools, student service platforms, and resources for administrative and financial management.

The team met with QAO representatives to provide feedback on the accreditation framework and tools. Li later presented preliminary findings, commending UPOU’s strengths and offering strategic recommendations to enhance its educational offerings.

“The successful completion of the AAOU accreditation process reinforces UPOU’s ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards in open and distance learning education,” the university said in a statement.

“It also affirms the university’s leadership in distance learning innovation and its dedication to providing quality, accessible education. Building on the accreditation results, UPOU will continue to pursue excellence by incorporating the recommendations from the accreditation team, further enhancing its educational offerings and ensuring sustained growth beyond this achievement,” it added.

Other members of the accreditation team included Prof. Dr. Paulina Pannen, a senior expert at Universitas Terbuka’s Cyber Education Institute, and Dr. Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, assistant vice president for academic affairs for quality assurance in the University of the Philippines System. Ms. Shaira Tanay served as the team’s coordinator.

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