In Photo: Dr. Diego S. Maranan and Dr. Ria Mae H. Borromeo (center), Associate Professors of the Faculty of Information and Communications Studies, UP Open University, together with (from left to right) Dr. Miguel Francisco M. Remolona – Director of the Interactive Learning Center, UP Diliman; Dr. Maria Vanessa P. Lusung-Oyzon, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UPD; Dr. Ivy DC. Suan, Director of the Office for the Advancement of Teaching (OAT); and Ms. Kristina V. Dizon-Dela Cruz also from the OAT.
Dr. Diego S. Maranan and Dr. Ria Mae H. Borromeo, both associate professors at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), served as key resource speakers in a recent seminar on artificial intelligence (AI) and academic integrity hosted by the UP Diliman (UPD) Office for Advancement of Teaching (OAT).
Held on 30 April 2025 at the UP Diliman Bocobo Hall Lecture Room and attended by nearly 70 faculty and REPS members of UP Diliman, the seminar was designed to open conversations about the responsible integration of AI in university teaching, learning, and research.
Dr. Maranan discussed how the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) is navigating the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and academic values, with a particular focus on developing authentic assessment strategies that uphold academic integrity. He highlighted several initiatives, including the FICS’ development of a helpdesk platform to support student services by streamlining the tracking and management of inquiries. In addition, UPOU has adopted chatbot technologies to handle both student and public queries, implemented AI-powered exam proctoring to safeguard assessment processes, and organized multi-stakeholder roundtable discussions and webinars to facilitate ongoing dialogue and collaborative reflection on the role of AI in higher education.
Dr. Borromeo, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Information Systems, complemented the discussion by highlighting UPOU’s institutional approach to AI adoption. She provided insights into the university’s evolving policies and pedagogical practices in response to the rapid advancement of AI technologies. As part of these efforts, UPOU currently employs an AI-based essay feedback tool that supports both students and faculty by offering formative feedback on research writing and other academic tasks.
Their contributions underscored UPOU FICS’ active role in shaping conversations around ethical AI use in Philippine higher education. The seminar also featured presentations from other UPD units, including a report on AI policy surveys by Interactive Learning Center Diliman Director Miguel Francisco M. Remolona, and was attended by UPD Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Maria Vanessa P. Lusung-Oyzon.
This event was part of a broader initiative by the UPD Artificial Intelligence Policy Committee to promote critical, collaborative approaches to AI across the UP system.
Written by: Joy Abigail Rebulanan