Section 12Sec./Art. 12

Role of the University of the Philippines Open University. The University of the Philippines Open University, hereinafter referred to as the UPOU, shall assist and provide expertise to the CHED and the TESDA in the performance of its functions pursuant to Section 14 of this Act. As such, it shall:

(a) Provide leadership in the development of ODL in the country and in the appropriate use of information and communications technologies in support of quality tertiary education;

(b) Promote best practices in ODL in the Philippines;

(c) Share knowledge through informed and innovative research and other development activities related to ODL through its exemplar policies, programs, materials, learning management systems, guidelines and offerings;

(d) Provide technical assistance to the CHED and the TESDA in matters relating to ODL, particularly in the development of basic curricular design and formulation of national policies, standards and guidelines for ODL programs and institutions in the country;

(e) Design model curricular programs which shall serve as prototype programs upon which similar programs to be offered by other HEIs and post-secondary schools in the country shall be patterned after;

(f) Develop and promote appropriate information and communications technology to facilitate quality ODL programs in the country;

(g) Design quality learning materials and objects, both in print and multimedia formats, for higher education and post-secondary instruction in the country;

(h) Make instructional materials for ODL programs accessible to the public through collaborative arrangements and other appropriate mechanisms;

(i) Assist other interested educational institutions in developing their ODL programs, courses, and materials for specific learner groups or the public at large;

(j) Design and implement a continuing program to develop high level expertise in the fields of ODL in the Philippines through quality higher education degree programs and technical-vocational programs through either or both ODL and face-to-face modes of instruction and training; and

(k) Help capacitate ODL teachers and practitioners through capacity building and professionalization programs.