News

University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Chancellor Joane V. Serrano and Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Dean Roberto B. Figueroa Jr. showcased how immersive technologies can contribute to meaningful sustainability education in their lecture at the 2nd Polish–Italian Intensive School on Energy Transition held in Katowice, Poland, on 23 October 2026. Titled “Energy transition in the Asia-Pacific: Sustainability Communication and Immersive Open Pedagogies,” the presentation highlighted how immersive technologies can make sustainability education and science communication more accessible and participatory from a Global South perspective. The discussion started with interactive questions on Philippine geography, providing necessary background [...]

University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Chancellor Joane V. Serrano and Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Dean Roberto B. Figueroa Jr. joined the International Academic Conference (IAC) on Energy Justice and Energy Transition 2026 at the Museum of Metallurgy in Chorzów, Poland, with a paper presentation titled “Immersive Science Communication and the Renewable Energy Transition: A Collaborative Approach from the Global South," on 23 October. Part of the panel session titled “The Future of Energy: Shaping the Global Energy Landscape,” the presentation discussed how perspectives on sustainability communication and immersive open pedagogies from the Global South can [...]

Mauban, Quezon, will now serve as the model municipality for a digitally empowered elderly and senior citizen-friendly community. This comes after the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) launched “Age-Friendly Mauban,” in partnership with the Municipal Government of Mauban, Mauban eLearningVille, and Quezon Power (Philippines), Limited Co. - San Buenaventura Power Ltd., Co. (QPL-SBPL), on 15 October 2026 at the Mauban Municipal Hall. The initiative is the first in the series to be launched under the “Age-Friendly Community” program aimed toward promoting digital inclusion among the elderly with the help of the [...]

Virtual campus tours, smart glasses, and interactive games were among the technologies showcased as the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) welcomed educators from Japan’s Nihon Fukushi University (NFU) to the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) on 25 August 2026.  The NFU delegation was composed of Prof. Shinichi Sato, Dean of the Faculty of Global Studies, and Mr. Maro Kimizuka, a teacher at the Nihon Fukushi University Affiliated High School. They were welcomed by FICS Dean Dr. Roberto B. Figueroa, Jr. and members of the ISCOLab team at the Digital Futures Hub. (From left) Mr. Antoni Ernest [...]

The Immersive Science Communication Open Laboratory (ISCOLab) of the University of the Philippines Open University’s (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) showcased its augmented reality (AR) projects under development to representatives from Rokid Philippines during their visit to UP Open University on 3 September 2025. Held at the ISCOLab Physical Laboratory at the UPOU World Class Multimedia Production Building (soon to be Digital Futures Hub), Project Leader and FICS Dean Roberto B. Figueroa, Jr. warmly welcomed Mr. Mcgyver Yu, CEO of Rokid Philippines, and his colleague, Architect Joey Rivas, to converse about ISCOLab’s ongoing science communication initiatives.  BAMS [...]

In line with the International Day of Older Persons and the Elderly Filipino Week, the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), in partnership with the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), launched "Beyond 60: A Magazine Program for the Elderly" on 1 October 2026. The program aims to promote the rights, well-being, and lifelong learning of the so-called Third Agers or people aged 60 years and above. Aired live via the UP Open University (UPOU) YouTube channel, UPOU Networks Facebook page, and Zoom, the program serves as part of the UPOU’s Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) for the [...]

Following the university-wide student orientation, more than 400 new students at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) attended the virtual program orientation for their respective degree programs on 26 September 2026. The FICS program orientations aimed to introduce the specific academic policies and processes of the Associate of Arts in Digital Design and Art (AADDA), Associate of Science in Information Technology (ASIT), Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS), Diploma in Computer Science (DCS), Master of Development Communication (MDC), Master of Information Systems (MIS), and Doctor of Communication (DComm) programs. Each [...]

A new batch of students of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) began their open and distance e-learning (ODeL) journey at the FICS General Orientation for Academic Year 2026-2027 held at the World Class Training Room, UPOU Headquarters, and online via Zoom last Saturday, 19 September 2026. More than 500 online attendees and 70 on-site participants from the Associate of Arts in Digital Design and Art, Associate of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies, Diploma in Computer Science, Master of Development Communication, Master of Information Systems, and [...]

The Philippine Community eCenter Network, Inc. (PhilCeCNet), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), supported by key public and private sector partners, invites you to the 21st Knowledge Exchange Conference (KEC21) on 16-17 November 2026 at the Aziza Paradise Hotel, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.  With the theme, “Advancing Digital Transformation Centers for the AI Era,” the KEC21 gathers ICT4D and Public Internet Access advocates, including local chief executives, knowledge managers/workers, and Community eCenters (CeC) stakeholders from across the country, such as FITS Centers, Tech4ED Centers, Digital Transformation Centers, and similar entities. The conference is an essential [...]

Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) exchanged practical tools, processes, and workplace strategies aimed at improving efficiency during the 3rd Quarter MeetUPs, a quarterly professional development event, held on August 26, 2026, at the Sandbox, UPOU Headquarters. Led by University Extension Associate Loren Sta. Ana, the session focused on peer-to-peer knowledge- and skill-sharing opportunities, with staff members discussing practices that can help streamline academic and administrative workflows across the Faculty. Sta. Ana, drawing from her previous experience with the UPOU Quality Assurance Office, introduced several tools designed to enhance the [...]