By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

True to its commitment in championing various learning modalities, Mariano Marcos State University joined the Consortium of Open Distance Education Providers in the Philippines (CODEPP). MMSU is one of the eight founding members of the new consortium. 

Chaired by the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), the consortium was formally established on January 31 at Benguet State University (BSU) through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA). Other consortium members include BSU, Cavite State University (CvSU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Ifugao State University (IFSU), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), and the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLMU). 

UPOU Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria led the MOA signing, together with the other university presidents: Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis (MMSU), Dr. Felipe Comila (BSU), Dr. Hernando Robles (CvSU), Dr. Edgar Orden (CLSU), Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon (IFSU), Dr. Jaime Manuel, Jr. (DMMMSU), and Dr. Ronald Raymond Sebastian (JBLMU).

During the event, the officials committed to synergize their efforts to deliver fully open and distance e-learning courses, thereby building a more resilient, responsive, and innovative educational system in the Philippines. 

Following the activity, a CODEPP strategic planning workshop was held on February 1-2 at BSU. Key personnel of the involved universities collaboratively finalized the consortium’s constitution and by-laws, crafted its three-year plan, and set its schedule of activities for 2023. MMSU was represented by distance learning chief Byron Joseph Hallar, Graduate School dean Doreen Domingo, and Center for Teaching Excellence chief Bert Gamiao.

Dr. Hallar said the consortium members will convene for another meeting at the MMSU main campus in March this year. 

President Agrupis expressed thanks for MMSU’s inclusion in the consortium, saying, “This will surely serve as an avenue for the sharing of best practices in flexible learning, and will concretize strategies for inclusive education and lifelong learning.” 

She added this membership complements MMSU’s goal to implement transnational education programs with universities in United Kingdom. “Having established partnerships with national government agencies, international universities and digital industries, CODEPP will surely toughen our stance to being a truly Smart University,” she stressed. (Smart university uses technological innovation within its organization to accomplish its mission.)

In 2020, MMSU became part of the technical working group for the creation of the consortium. After two years, the CODEPP was launched during the 7th National Conference on Open and Distance e-Learning held virtually on November 23, 2022. 

The delivery of quality distance education to all Filipinos is mandated by Republic Act 10650 or the Open Distance Education law. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)