In the distance education system adopted by the UPOU, students receive self-instructional modules and participate in online tutorials and, in some cases, face-to-face study sessions held once a month. Students also take a proctored final examination at a UPOU learning center. The system is especially suited to those with full-time jobs and/or personal commitments that make it difficult to attend frequent face-to-face classes.

UPOU’s degree programs are: Associate in Arts, Diplona in Science Teaching, Diploma in Mathematics Teaching, Diploma Language Studies for Teachers, Diploma Social Studies Education, Diploma in Agriculture, Diploma in Research and Development Management, Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma/Master in Environment and Natural Resources Management, Master of Professional Studies in Development Communication, Master of Arts in Education (major in Social Studies Education or Language Studies for Teachers), Master of Public Health, Master of Hospital Administration, Master of Arts in Nursing, Master of Public Management, Master of Professional Studies in Development Communication, Master in Information Systems, and PhD in Education (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics Education).

Deadline for submission of applications is Feb. 15 . For more information, inquire at the U.P. Open University, Los Baños, Laguna, telephone nos.: (046) 536-6001 to 6006 local 199, (049) 536-6011, or send email to inquiry@upou.org; or log in to the UPOU website at www.upou.org.

DLSU-D holds lit fest

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite – De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) holds the first Language and Literature Festival with theme Bridging Diversities Through Language and Literature.

On February 12, a program titled An Enchanted Hour of Music and Poetry will be staged at the Tanghalang Julian Felipe, while story telling and on-the-spot essay writing contests are scheduled on February 13.The festival, which aims to further enhance the students’ skills in English communication and promote appreciation among students in Literature.

Mapua opens nursing school

Mapua opens its School of Health Sciences this coming school year, initially offering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing course (BSN).

This was reported by Mapua president Dr. Rey B. Vea, who disclosed that Mapua has recently been accorded the coveted "Full Autonomous" status by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched).

Vea explained that it is widely known that the pressing global need for better trained health care professionals like nurses, doctors, will be there for the next decade and beyond. This is so because of the aging population particularly in developed societies, such as the United States of America, European nations, even Japan and some Asian countries like Korea and Taiwan.

"Also, one reason why the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) headed by Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco acquired majority ownership of Mapua has been to realize its corporate social responsibility of developing the Philippine human resources, and to generate sustainable/continuous employment opportunities for the Filipinos."

Mapua also has launched non-engineering course particularly Biotechnology last year, the Nursing Program and the health science programs will be given the same sharp focus in terms of rigid, globally-oriented, high-tech based curriculum and extensive medical/hospital training.

3 Canadian universities visit RP

Representatives from the University of Toronto, Queen’s University, and the University of British Columbia will be in Manila on Feb. 15-17 to provide information on studying in Canada!

"This is the first time that three universities with such impressive international reputations have joined forces to visit the Philippines,’’ said Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland. "This visit sends a strong message to Filipinos that they are wanted and very welcome to pursue their studies in Canada.’’

The University of Toronto is Canada’s largest university, consistently ranked as Canada’s top research institution. The university has produced an impressive six Nobel Prize winners and has developed many notable advances such as the first electronic heart pacemaker, the chemical laser, the infant cereal Pablum, and the first anti-blackout suit, later adapted to produce the astronaut space suit.

Queen’s is recognized for its influence in the Arts, Sciences and professions, offering its undergraduate and graduate students rigorous and relevant programs of study.

The University of British Columbia’s programs include business, engineering, social sciences and humanities, education, life and physical sciences, and more.

Students who are interested in meeting with the university representatives are invited to come to the Makati Shangri-La, Parañaque A and B, Feb. 15 from 3-7 pm. The universities will be making presentations on their schools and meeting with interested students. Admission is free to this important education event.

Makati Reading Club sets rites

Young students of Makati City will celebrate their success as readers during Makati’s Reading Together Club (RTC) Recognition Rites on Feb. 14, 8 a.m. at the University of Makati (UMAK) mini theater.

Under the Makati Integrated Skills Improvement Program or ISIP launched October last year, the RTC is a two-month reading program sponsored by the City Government of Makati, in tandem with DepEd Makati, UMAK, SM Equicom Computers, and educational technology services provider EduQuest, Inc.

More than 350 students from different DepEd Makati City schools have participated in the said reading program. As a result of the club’s weekend workshops and weekday reading practice sessions, students were exposed to technology-enabled assessments, and various reading activities presented through art, music, and games. The RTC was designed not only to build in students the love for reading, but to offer parents as well, a venue where they can participate in their child’s learning process.

The recognition rites will feature the awarding of certificates to club members who have successfully complete the reading program. The audience will be treated to an audio-visual presentation of the project’s implementation activities in six DepEd Makati schools for the past two months. This will be followed by a talk by Dr. Conchita Umali, dean of Assumption Graduate School, on her graduate students’ observations and insights on the RTC program implementation.

The RTC’s outreach activities are extended in a weekend segment in Radyo Makati DWIZ 882 dubbed "Buksan ang ISIP" where hosts Mayor Binay and Vice Mayor Vicente Mercado communicate to Makati constituents the importance of reading. The said segment focuses on Reading Literacy by featuring storytelling activities, story dramatizations, and contests.

Reunions slated

The executive board of the Ramon Magsaysay High School (Manila) Batch ’84 is extending the registration for its 20th year reunion slated this March 2004. RMHS Batch ’84 graduates in the Philippines and abroad have until February 15 to register by texting 0920-9022312 and 0919-4656264, by e-mailing monsay84reunion@yahoo.com or by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monsay84.

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LOURDES SCHOOL QC Lourdes School Alumni Association (LSQCAA) invites all alumni to its grand alumni homecoming dubbed ‘Staying Alive!’ on February 21, 4 pm, at the LSQC High School Grounds, Apo Street, Quezon City. The festivity, which also marks the school’s 49th Foundation Year, kicks-off with a Mass for alumni. Hosted by this year’s Silver Jubilarians, Batch 1979, the grand affair promises a mix of nostalgic as well as rocky live band music and jamming. For more information, please contact Abbey of the LSQCAA office at 781-6475 or 0919-6094628, or e-mail lsqcaa@edsamail.com.ph.