The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) hosted the third iteration of the UP Office of International Linkages’ (UP OIL) annual on-site roadshow, HALIKA: Harnessing Linkage Opportunities for Knowledge Advancement 2024, on October 15, 2024, at the CCDL, UPOU Headquarters. Co-organized with UPOU and UPLB, the event served as a platform to highlight and discuss the institution’s growing efforts toward international collaboration and virtual internationalization.
Assistant Professor Margaret Jarmin Suarez, Program Development Associate for Institutional Linkages at the UPOU’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA), led the presentation of UPOU’s initiatives. She underscored the university’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships through international linkages and leveraging technology to foster virtual internationalization. These efforts align with UPOU’s goal of expanding its global reach and creating more opportunities for knowledge exchange.
Photo Credits by the University of the Philippines Open University
In her closing remarks, UPOU Chancellor Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria emphasized the importance of internationalization in higher education. She highlighted how technology plays a crucial role in empowering and accelerating internationalization efforts, particularly in a digitally connected world. Chancellor Bandalaria reaffirmed UPOU’s commitment to fostering international collaborations and using innovative technological tools to bridge gaps in global education.
HALIKA 2024 brought together UPOU faculty, staff, and stakeholders, providing them with a deeper understanding of how the university continues to enhance its international presence and partnerships through technology and virtual engagement. The event showcased the university’s active role in advancing global education, demonstrating how international linkages are key to knowledge advancement and institutional growth.
This year’s HALIKA roadshow is part of UPOU’s broader efforts to strengthen its internationalization strategies, ensuring that the university remains at the forefront of global educational innovation.