The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has been chosen among other institutions for the 2021 Institutional Prize award of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), the university said on Wednesday, November 3.
According to UP's website, the award recognizes deserving institutions for very significant achievements or contributions to the international community of open, flexible and distance education.
"The award relates particularly to leadership and innovation that contribute to the continuing enhancement of open, flexible and distance education across cultural and linguistic barriers," it stated.
UP said that the evaluation was done by an independent international jury who are active contributors in the field of open and distance education, Meanwhile, UP also mentioned that UPOU Chancellor and Professor Dr. Melinda Dela Pena Bandalaria and former Chancellor and Professor Emeritus Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, were also awarded Prizes of Excellence for 2021 during the closing session of ICDE Virtual Global Conference Week 2021 on Friday, October 29.
ICDE, according to its website, has a proud history of promoting inclusive, affordable, access to quality education with a global community of leaders and professionals in the field of Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning (OFDL).
Founded in 1938 and is partly funded by a grant from the Government of Norway and has been hosted in Oslo since 1988. ICDE also has a longstanding partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).