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Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Dean Dr. Roberto B. Figueroa Jr. and Dr. Reinald Adrian Pugoy conducted a series of academic visits to the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges from 5 to 7 August 2026. The visits are part of FICS' commitment to the LC Lead Project, strengthening opportunities for collaboration in education, workforce development, and internationalization. The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) delegation is headed by Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano. The broader Philippine delegation included Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Michelle Aguilar-Ong, CHED Director Dr. Lora L. Yusi, and presidents and senior administrators [...]

Professor Diego S. Maranan (center, in black), UP Artist II for Visual Arts, during the UP Arts Productivity System (APS) Awarding Ceremony. (Photo courtesy of UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Professor Diego S. Maranan was officially conferred the title of  University of the Philippines (UP) Artist II for Visual Arts for CY 2023-2025 during the UP Arts Productivity System (APS) Awarding Ceremony held on 14 August 2026 at the Atencio-Libunao Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City.  The recognition honors UP faculty and staff who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the [...]

University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano and Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Dean Dr. Roberto B. Figueroa Jr. explored opportunities for collaboration on online and immersive learning during their courtesy call to Dr. Peter Arnade, Dean of the College of Arts, Languages & Letters (CALL) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UH Mānoa), last August 4, 2026. The meeting, which was also joined by Dr. Pia Arboleda, a faculty member from CALL and Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), served as a prelude to UPOU’s participation in the [...]

Asst. Prof. Mary Kristene D. Clariño joins fellow judges during the JLfest 2026 deliberation meeting. (Photo courtesy of Asst. Prof. Clariño) University of the Philippines Open University's Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) faculty member Asst. Prof. Mary Kristene D. Clariño joined the international panel of judges for the SUGOROKU Language eBoard Game Design competition during the 19th Annual International Japanese Language Festival (JLfest 2026), held virtually on 25 July 2026.  The SUGOROKU Language eBoard Game Design Competition was one of the 17 contests featured at JLfest 2026, inviting participants to develop interactive e-board games that promote Japanese language [...]

UP Cebu Bachelor of Science in Computer Science interns showcased virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) projects designed to advance science communication and immersive learning during their final presentation, “Spatial Shift: Immerse into the Next Generation of Computing,” held at the Immersive Science Communication Open Laboratory (ISCOLab) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) on July 29, 2026. The presentation marked the culmination of the interns' 240-hour on-the-job training at ISCOLab, where they developed immersive technology solutions addressing sustainability, education, and science communication. The event also served as the laboratory's first official public activity. In his opening [...]

Participants and organizers gather for a virtual group photo during the First Installment of the Hiraya Lecture Series. (Photo on the left courtesy of AFSJ). The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), in partnership with the Association of Filipino Scholars in Japan (AFSJ), launched the Hiraya Lecture Series on 24 July 2026, bringing together over 100 scholars, practitioners, and leaders to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan and strengthen academic and cultural collaboration between the two countries. Held virtually via Zoom, the inaugural installment carried the [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University’s (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) featured internationally renowned organizational communication scholar Dr. François Cooren of the Universitè de Montréal, widely recognized as one of the world's foremost experts on the Communicative Constitution of Organization (CCO), at a hybrid colloquium titled, “Foundations, Ferment, and New Frontiers of CCO: Widening the Conversation,”  held from July 15-17, 2026, held at the UPOU, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines and via Zoom. The three-day event brought together scholars, faculty, researchers, alumni, and students to explore the CCO perspective. Organized by the Decentered Human Communication (DHC) Research [...]

We would like to remind everyone to stay vigilant when receiving messages through Google Chat or other online messaging platforms. We have been informed that an individual is impersonating UPOU FICS Dean Roberto B. Figueroa Jr. and sending messages requesting money or financial assistance. Please be advised that these messages are not legitimate. To help protect yourself and others, please observe the following: Verify unexpected requests for money or financial assistance through official UPOU communication channels before responding. Before clicking any links or sending money, take a moment to confirm the request with the purported sender through an independent channel [...]

Assistant Professor Raz dela Torre (second from right) addresses aspiring filmmakers and participants during the Isabela Film Academy 2026. (Photo courtesy of Isabela Tourism Office) More than 100 aspiring filmmakers from across Isabela honed their storytelling and filmmaking skills under the guidance of industry professionals, including a University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Assistant Professor Raz dela Torre, who served as a masterclass mentor and speaker during the Isabela Film Academy 2026 held from July 16 to 18, 2026 at the Isabela State University (ISU) Climate Change Center in Echague, Isabela. Organized [...]