The University of the Philippines (UP) has always been considered the premier university in the country, having produced countless notable alumni across many different fields. As a state-university, it is also mandated to help in nation-building and for current UP president Atty. Angelo Jimenez, this meant the development of 10 Flagship Programs (FP) with the aim to strengthen the university’s UP contributions to the formation of “a just, equitable, and sustainable society.”
The flagship programs include academic excellence; inclusive admissions; research and innovation; Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL); Archipelagic and Oceanic Virtual University (AOVU); active and collaborative partnerships; arts and culture; expansion of public service offices; Quality Management System (QMS) and Quality Assurance (QA); and digital transformation.
Several of the flagship programs are geared primarily towards various aspects of public service. For instance, the flagship program for more inclusive admissions signifies UP’s resolve to address inequality by making quality tertiary education more accessible. “We will deploy at least one UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) testing center in every province by 2024. We will also provide financial and pyscho-social support to qualifiers who will need further assistance
To enhance inclusivity, UP will continue implementing an equity factor in assessing applicants from socio-economically disadvantaged and geographically underrepresented areas, Jimenez said. Some P50 million of UP’s internal funds have already been set aside to support the basic needs of the 350 plus UPCAT passers from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) for their food, lodging, communications, and transport allowances.
Young Filipinos interested in studying in UP are also encouraged to consider alternative, non-UPCAT routes to admission, such as associate degree and online education programs, and encouraging highly talented applicants in the arts and athletics.
Another example is the flagship program for public service, which Jimenez describes as “the guiding force of UP, the heart of everything we do.” This flagship program expands projects such as the Ungayan ng Panhinguod, Padayon, NSTP programs and the Public Services office. These programs embody the university’s commitment to community engagement and societal impact.
Other flagship programs focus on the university’s role as the leader in research and education and collaborating with other sectors to develop solutions for existing societal problems. Jimenez said that they are collaborating with state colleges and universities (SUCs) for “a concerted effort to improve undergraduate education all over the country.”
The Academic Excellence PF aims to refine the university’s core curriculum. “Our core offerings will be recalibrated to cultivate learners equipped with the intellectual acumen and ethical fortitude to address complex societal challenges,”
Various UP constituent units are also working to increase the number of PhDs, enhance teaching methodologies, and improve the quality of research to meet global standards. “We will enhance our facilities to include state-of-the-art libraries, laboratories, and resource centers. Faculty development will be boosted through accessible and comprehensive scholarships, research and creative work, and teaching innovation grants,” vowed Jimenez.
A true national university, said Jimenez, cannot stand in isolation from its environment, “If everyone cannot come to UP, then UP must go where it can help raise academic standards, contribute to development at the local and national levels, and provide resources to strengthen not only other educational institutions but the Philippines as a whole.
