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Albay, Legazpi, Philippines
bu-cpro@bicol-u.edu.ph

Open University

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    THE BICOL UNIVERSITY OPEN UNIVERSITY

    On November 20, 1997, the Bicol University (BU) Board of Regents (BOR) passed BOR Resolution No. 24 series of 1997 which approved the setting up of the BU Open University. The Objective of the BU Open University was to bring the curricular programs of the university to a wider populace of students in the Bicol Region.

    To fully operationalize BOR Resolution No. 24 in accordance with the present thrust and direction set forth in the BU comprehensive Development Plan, Administrative Order No. 177, series of 2004 was issued to provide the general Implementing guidelines for the operation of the BU Open University. The emphasis of the BU Open University under the present leadership is to initially address the educational capability enhancement need of professionals by offering selected graduate programs via distance education/open learning. The long-term direction of the BU Open University is to eventually offer some baccalaureate courses in support of regional development.

    The re-structured BU Open University (BUOU) is now mandated to be the degree-offering and eventually a degree-granting academic unit of the University. It was also given authority by the Board of Regents to expand its program offering into offering selected undergraduate courses and non-degree/short term courses needed in the region.

    OBJECTIVES

    The BU open/Distance Education Program seeks to provide wider access to quality education adhering to the highest standards of academic excellence in order to produce trained manpower required for the development of the Bicol Region. The Program Specially seeks to:

    1. Provide wider access to quality education by offering degree programs via the distance education mode;
    2. Establish an innovative system of continuing education of professionals and career development for those unable to avail of the opportunity thru the usual traditional delivery mode; and
    3. Develop instructional materials and technology appropriate for distance education.

    THE DISTANCE LEARNING

    Delivery of academic programs via the distance education mode will be thru modular and/or online. The Open University office shall serve as the venue of curricular activities and where student of the program shall convene for the following activities: (a) enrollment; (b) obtaining their modules and other instructional materials; (c) attending tutorials; (d) submitting course requirements; (e) accessing the internet; (f) meeting and interacting with other students; (g) taking proctored examinations; and (h) performing other activities related to the course.

    At the present, there is a Distance Learning Office/Center in the Main campus of Bicol University at the third floor of the University Library. The DLC in the main Campus is open to serve students coming from various parts of the region. To better serve a wider segment of the bicolanos, the BU Open University intends to engage in partnership with local government units and other academic institution in the region.

    Under AO No. 347 series of 2019 specifying the Revised Implementing Guidelines of BUOU, the Office is manned by the Dean and supported by Core and Affiliate Faculty an Technical Staff to serve as the link between the BUOU and the Distance education students in the region of offshore.

    MODE OF INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY

    The course modules are the basic medium of instructional delivery. These are prepared by Module Development Teams consisting of writers, readers, instructional design specialists, and language editors drawn from the faculty complement of the University. Other instructional materials like video clippings and the like shall also be used in the process of course delivery.

    Actual delivery of these course modules is taken care of by Faculty-in-Charge (FIC) and tutors. Each course or subject has a FIC or course supervisor who ensures the attainment of the objectives of the course and who rates or evaluates the performance of distance education students. Performance of students enrolled in the distance education mode is assessed through submitted assignments, exercises and activities, and supervised examinations.

    Tutorial sessions are part of the course delivery system of the open university/distance education mode. These are designed to facilitate clarification of topics/issues and ensure informed discussions among module users. Tutorial sessions shall, therefore, be held at the BUOU Office at least once a month or depending on the students need. Facilitating these sessions shall, therefore, be held at the OU Office with the FICS and/or tutors who will be the link with the learners.

                  

  • The BU Open University initially offers selected graduate curricular programs. This is due to the stringent requirement of open learning to have “mature” learners who are capable of undertaking independent self-learning. Due to resource limitation and perceived market, only the following programs will be initially offered thru the open university/distance education mode:

    Graduate Programs:

    • Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership & Management (EdDELM)
    • Master in Management (MM)
    • Master of Public Administration (MPA)
    • Master in Local Government Management (MLGM)
    • Master of Arts in Educational Leadership & Management (MAELM)
    • Master of Arts in English Education (MAEngEd)
    • Master of Arts in Social Studies Education (MASocStEd)

  • Undergraduate Program:

    • Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (BS DevCom)

    The Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (BS DevCom) is the first undergraduate program of Bicol University Open University (BUOU) by virtue of Resolution No. 830-A, series of 2022, thereby approving the offering of the program effective school year 2023-2024.

    Mode of Instructional Delivery

    The program is delivered through Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL), with the exception of two major courses with laboratory requirements including internship, to be offered through Blended Online Learning (BOL).

    Students are expected to study at their own time and place with the help of the learning package, e-learning materials, Open Educational Resources (OERs) audios, and videos. Learning support for the program shall be provided by BU Open University through tutorials and counselling at the Distance Learning Center (DLC).

    The bases for evaluating student performance are the assignments (faculty-marked/tutor marked assignments and the supervised and/or online examination system and online platforms).

    Nature of the Field of Study

    It focuses on how verbal and non-verbal messages are used to create meanings in various contexts using various media platforms. It includes a broad range of subject matter ranging from communication, natural and social sciences and other technical courses such as agriculture, health, and environment. This also includes the study of communication in interpersonal relationships, groups, organizations, and cultures.

    Target Clients

    The Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (BS DevCom) clienteles are graduates of Humanities and Social Sciences Strand (HUMMS) in the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum, who do not have the opportunity to attend the in-person or face-to-face classroom setup.

    Allied Fields of Discipline

    The allied programs for BS Development Communication are Communication, Journalism, Broadcasting, Multimedia (Digital Media) Studies, Film, Communication Research, Agricultural Education/Extension, and Development Studies. Related fields include Social Sciences such as Anthropology, Economics, History, Human Services (Guidance and Counselling), Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Sociology.

    Career for BS DevCom

    Graduates of this program may find employment as:

    • Public and Corporate Communication/Information Officers
    • Social Science and Communication Researchers/Analysts
    • Communication/Media Planners and Managers
    • Program/Project Development Officers
    • Media Practitioners
    • Learning System Designers
    • Multimedia Designers
    • Work Opportunities in the allied/related professions.

    BS Development Communication (BS DevCom) Program Learning Outcomes

    Graduates of BS Development Communication are able to:

    • Develop a critical understanding of development perspectives;
    • Define and access information needs; assess and organize information and knowledge; produce, share, and utilize information and knowledge;
    • Apply communication theories/models, principles, practices and tools in development work;
    • Develop a communication program/plan;
    • Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills as a linker, network, and mediator;
    • Communicate in different formats and platforms (print, broadcast, and online);
    • Conduct communication research, monitoring, and evaluation;
    • Develop and produce multi- media materials;
    • Demonstrate program management and leadership skills;
    • Develop entrepreneurial capabilities;
    • Adhere to ethical standards and practices;
    • Know and practice rights and responsibilities and accountabilities in the communication profession; and
    • Integrate technical knowledge (e.g., Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Health Sciences, and Applied Sciences) in content development and management.

    Number of Semesters and Units

     

                Number of semesters to finish the program               8 semesters

                Number of units to be taken                                          131 units

                                                          PROGRAM OF STUDY

    BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION (BS DevCom)

    01 AGMA 2022 Book v1 DRAFT v5.5.FINAL.Website

    Natural/Technical Courses (NTC), 15-unit courses, are in the areas of Agriculture, Fisheries and Health. These are niche courses of the University intended to enhance the knowledge of the students how to communicate by exposing them to the technicalities and concepts of the courses under BS Agriculture, BS Fisheries and BS Nursing. BU is identified as the Department of Education’s Teacher Training Center in the Region and the base agency for Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development and Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development thus these thereby the bases of the selection of the natural/technical courses of this program.

    These Natural/Technical Courses will expose the students to the “what to communicate” in an easy and understandable way for an average reasonable person/community.

    For inquiries, connect with us at:

    bu-ou@bicol-u.edu.ph
    Hotline Numbers: 09617326735/09690390658

    Facebook Page (Bicol University Open University): https://www.facebook.com/BUOU1997

  • MARIA JANE B. MASCARIŇAS, PhD

    Professor VI/Graduate Faculty

    Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness (BU College of Agriculture,1985)

    Master of Management major in Rural Development Management (University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1991)

    PhD Extension Education minor in Environmental Studies (University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1995)

    MELINDA D. DE GUZMAN, EdD

    Professor VI/ Program Adviser, MA in Educational Leadership and Management (MAELM) and EdD in Educational Leadership and Management (EdDELM)

    BS Nursing (Bicol University College of Nursing, 1985)

    Methods of Teaching (Bicol University, 1987)

    Master in Management (Bicol University Graduate School, 1989)

    EdD Educational Management (Bicol University Graduate School, 1993)

    RAMESIS M. LORINO, PhD  

    Professor IV/ Program Adviser, Master of Public Administration (MPA)

    BSBA Management (Bicol University, 1990)

    Master in Mgt. major in Public Management (Tabaco College, 2003)

    PhD Public Administration (Bicol University Graduate School, 2009)

    EMILY M. AGONOS, PhD

    Associate Professor V/Program Adviser, Master in Management (MM)

    BS Commerce Accounting (1989)

    CCT (2003) - (Bicol University)

    Master in Management (Bicol University Graduate School) – 2007

    PhD in Development Management (Bicol University Graduate School) –  2018

    RAMON T. DE LEON, PhD

    Associate Professor I/ Program Adviser, Master in Local Government Management (MLGM)

    AB Economics (Adamson University-Manila, 1987)

    Master in Business Administration (Divine Word College of Legazpi, 1995)

    PhD in Counselor Education (University of Santo Tomas, 2012)

    PhD in Counseling Psychology (Cand.) (De la Salle University - Manila)

    ROLDAN C. CABILES, PhD

    Assistant Professor II/ Program Adviser, MA in English Education (MAEngEd)

    Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English (Bicol University College of Education, 2015)

    Master of Arts in English Education (Bicol University Graduate School, 2018)

    PhD in Educational Foundations (Bicol University Graduate School, 2021)

    JOSE CARLO B. LAVAPIE , MPA

    Assistant Professor I/ Program Adviser, MA in Social Studies Education (MASocStEd)

    Bachelor of Arts major in Philosophy minor in Religious Education (Holy Rosary Minor Seminary)

    Master in Public Administration (Naga College Foundation)

    PROF. ROLLIE N. MONTEALEGRE

    Instructor I

    Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Bicol University College of Science, 2006)

    Master in Information System (Bicol University Graduate School) – Complete Academic Requirements (CAR)

    SEAN HENRY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, MA

    Instructor I

    B.A. in Communication Arts (Bangkok University, Bangkok, Thailand, 2004)

    M.A. Language and Communication (National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand, 2010)

    MARTHA JOY B. RUIVIVAR, MDC

    Instructor I

    Bachelor of Communication Arts major in Journalism (Bicol University Institute of Communication and Cultural Studies, 2002)

    Master of Development Communication (University of the Philippines Open University, 2019)

  • RAMESIS M. LORINO

    Dean

    rmlorino@bicol-u.edu.ph

    bu-ou@bicol-u.edu.ph

    Hotline Numbers: 09617326735/09690390658

    Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BUOU1997

  • The BUOU iTECH – Information and Technology Exchange Channel

    iTECH shall have four (4) components to cover our current and future program offerings. There is also a component that shall develop extension programs and projects that are distinct, unique and appropriate considering the mode of instructional delivery in an Open University system.

    Extension Engagement:

    • Financial Literacy Training in Rapu Rapu, Albay as trainer in partnership with BU EMD, funded by Landbank Foundation, 2021

    Research Engagement:

    • Sexual & Health Empowerment Project Impact Assessment (SHE-PIA) in Bulusan & Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon & Mobo, Masbate (In partnership with Mayon Integrated Development Alternatives & Services, Inc. (MIDAS)) – (December 2022 – Present)
    • EDIR-SMART Research on Blending of Multi-Media Approach and Satoyama-Satoumi Principles for Building Climate Smart Communities-Luzon Project Site, Sto. Domingo, Albay (August 2021 to Date)
    • Rapid Project Impact Assessment of Livelihood Projects in Albay & Asid Gulfs, Bicol Region, Philippines (March 2020-December 2021)
    • Rapid Project Impact Assessment of Dangit Production in Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon: A Livelihood Initiative Under FishhCORAL Project in Albay Gulf (March 2020-December 2021)
    • Assessment of Bangus Culture Livelihood Project in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, Phils. (Funded by BFAR V in partnership with BU RDMD) – (March 2020-December 2021)
    • Readiness of Bicol University Faculty for Online/e-Learnings Delivery (March 2020-August 2020)

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Dr. Benedicto B. Balilo Jr.

Dean, Bicol University Open University
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