Author: Padayon UP

True to its role as a leading research university responding to the health problems and needs of Filipinos, UP Manila’s early response to the Covid pandemic was the development of the first RT-PCR local testing kit for the Covid-19 virus.  The kit was developed by Dr. Raul Destura, an infectious disease specialist who is UP Manila NIH Director of National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity and the  Deputy Director of Philippine Genome Center.   The development of the testing kit has proven that even in a resource-limited setting such as the Philippines, an appropriate technology can be done in a few weeks in response to a health emergency, providing a concrete example of the capabilities of the local science and technology environment. 

Noting the powerful role that language plays in any effort to contain the pandemic and the rise in community translators working on DOH-released information, DL officially launched Language Warriors PH (LWPH) in late March. Dubbed a “meta-translation initiative”, the project aims to connect the disparate community translation projects and “language warriors” across the country that are translating materials related to COVID-19 into the country’s estimated 180 or so languages.

Silungang Molave (SiM), a new Community Isolation Unit for UP Diliman (UPD), held a soft launch on Aug. 15, 9 a.m. at the Molave Residence Hall .

The newly-renovated Molave Residence Hall is in an acceptable distance from the various communities inside UPD, including Barangay UP Campus.

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) continues with its bi-monthly episode of the “Edu-Hack: Navigating a Turbulent Educational Landscape.” The first episode for August will tackle “K-12 Blended Learning Interactions: What’s Working? How and Why?” Teachers and school administrators of K-12 educational institutions are expected to benefit from this event. 

Beginning on 03 August 2020, the College of Science hosted an 8-day webinar series that focuses on Online/Flexible Teaching and Learning.

With the current global situation, many institutions are fast-tracking their transition to online or distance learning models, and there is no better expert than UP Open University.

The series invited professors from UP Open University, primarily known as a distance learning institution.

Noong 12 Agosto 2020, matagumpay na nairaos ng Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UP Open University (UPOU) ang unang sesyon na may pamagat na Pagtuturo ng Pagbasa bilang bahagi ng “At Home sa Pagbasa” webinar series. Tumayong punong tagapagsalita si Michelle Agas, kasalukuyang gradwadong mag-aaral ng Language and Literacy Education ng UPOU at host ng Wikaharian sa Knowledge Channel.  

Ang webinar series na ito ay isang pagtugon sa hinaharap na mga hamon ng mga guro kaugnay ng implementasyon ng online at distance education. 

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) held the tenth episode of the Edu-Hack podcast on 11 August 2020 entitled “Reaching Out to the Struggling Reader through Personalized Instruction.” Prof. Daisy Calado-Cunanan, Faculty-in-Charge (FIC) of the UPOU Bachelor of Education Studies and Master of Arts in Social Studies Education programs, moderated the 100-minute session.

The episode started with the presentation of  Mr. Victor Villanueva, a Teacher from The Beacon Academy and a Reading Specialist and President of CORID. His discussion centered on the concept that reading is the product of decoding and language comprehension.