Ifugao State University (IFSU) is currently hosting the Second Technical Working Group (TWG) Strategic Planning Workshop on Consortium of Open Distance Education Providers in the Philippines onsite at IFSU Lamut Campus, and virtually until August 18.

In her Welcome Remarks, University President Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon expressed delight with the presence of select State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) on the campus and shared that the participants are the “Lucky 8”.

“We are blessed to be part of this endeavor. Distance education is the game now to reach learners here and abroad. We work together, march together, and galvanize our plans into actions,” shared Dr. Dugyon.

The meeting aims to foster continuous efforts to form the consortium taking off from their first TWG meeting done virtually in June this year.

University of the Philippines – Open University (UPOU) Chancellor Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria thanked IFSU for immediately volunteering to host the meeting and lauded the engagement of participating SUCs.

“The spirit of collaboration, the spirit of working together is something that keeps us going. There is no such thing as competition. When we are together, we are stronger in achieving this common vision,” remarked Dr. Bandelaria.

Earlier, the participants adopted the Consortium of Open Distance Education Providers in the Philippines (CODEPP) as the official name of the group and the TWG member- SUCs as Founding Members of the consortium.

As of writing, Dr. Bandelaria, together with her team from UPOU is facilitating the workshop that outlines several areas of shared interests such as academic collaboration with a focus on distance education, program development and offering, cross-enrollment, open educational resources sharing, and research collaborations; capacity building through faculty and student exchange; international collaboration; international accreditation; and accreditation of Open Universities/DEL Programs.

Here onsite are the participants from IFSU, UPOU, Benguet State University (BSU), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU).

Meanwhile, Cavite State University (CvSU), John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU), and UPOU officials are joining virtually.