
The formalising of the partnership between WOU and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) will further strengthen the academic collaboration between both institutions.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by WOU’s Chief Executive and Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Lily Chan, and UPOU Chancellor, Prof Dr Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria. Among those present were Dean of WOU’s School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences (SEHS), Dr Thomas Chow Voon Foo, and his team.
With the signing, WOU and UPOU plan to explore collaboration in three areas – joint academic activities including research and training; consultancy and other technical services; and resource and information sharing.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Prof Chan said, “It is very, very important for our academic staff to understand how we can work together, collaboratively, with UPOU. There is a lot to learn from one another.”
To kick off the partnership, she is offering an opportunity for WOU’s academics to spend two weeks with UPOU. “Your interaction and collaboration with UPOU staff members will open up your thinking. We can use this fellowship programme for all our partners.”
Prof Bandalaria informed that through the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) platform, which includes WOU and UPOU, the university had sent two of its academics to WOU under an exchange fellowship a few years ago.
“It is only now we are formalising the partnership between our universities so that we can identify areas of collaboration,” she said, while extending an invitation to Prof Chan and her colleagues to visit UPOU. UPOU, established in February 1995, aspires to equip learners, especially Filipinos, with the knowledge and skills needed for the digital age.