The IFLDE delegation conducted the second phase of FlexiLearnPro: Navigating Digital Learning Institutions which was conceptualized to benchmark select member schools of the Consortium of Open Distance Education in the Philippines (CODEPP). For its second phase, the institute visited Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on July 10 and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte on July 12.
Dr. Faith Micah Abenes-Balbin along with staff members Instr. Kenneth Martinez, Instr. Rancess Cuare, and Instr. Lorenzo Dungo were greeted by the CLSU Distance, Open, and Transnational University (CLSU-DOT Uni) officials headed by Mr. Joey G. Fernando, CLSU DOT Uni IT Officer, in lieu of Dr. Elaida R. Fiegalan, CLSU-DOT Uni Dean. The forum highlighted the curricula of the programs, student services, accreditation process, linkages, Learning Management Systems, budgetary requirements, procurement of IT equipment and tools, and fees. CLSU offers programs through remote and distance learning for students who cannot take their residential programs. CLSU-DOT Uni started as an Open University directly under the Office of the University President. It was in 2018 that they were transformed into an Open, Distance, and Transnational University.
After the meeting, the delegation was taken on a tour at the exhibit room of the DOT Uni where they witnessed the profile of the DOT Uni briefly. This included their history, CLSU vision and DOT Uni mission, milestones and horizons, previous projects, programs and courses, and student and graduate demographics and statistics.
On July 12, the management and staff members of the IFLDE arrived at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) FEM Hall with a warm welcome from Dr. Robert A. Salvador, Chief of the MMSU-ETEEAP Office. Dr. Prima R. Franco, VPAA of MMSU, received the team on behalf of Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, MMSU President. The VPAA initially shared some information on the current affairs of the MMSU and expressed willingness through their University President to support fellow SUCs on various benchmarking activities, highlighting their mandate of developing and sustaining the human capital within and beyond the MMSU.
IFLDE gained inputs from MMSU regarding their program offerings, certificate programs, tuition fees, and modalities. Dr. Salvador presented their ETEEAP and the different courses they offer. He also discussed specific guidelines. Based on their records, some of the professions of their learners are Accountants, Human Resource Managers, and Philippine Coast Guards. Moreover, these learners freely maximize the use of the fully air-conditioned facilities. including study tables, lounge areas, water dispensers, as well as other services. One of their notable feats is their award from the CHED for a Smart Campus Development grant amounting to millions.
Valuable insights and shared best practices from the benchmarked institutions under FlexiLearnPro will be utilized to formulate a proposal to offer RTU’s very own ETEEAP.