Last 5 December 2023, the Basics of Resilience Online Courses was launched as a collaborative program of the UP Resilience Institute (UP RI) and UP Open University Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS).
Starting on January 15, 2024, crises managers, CCA-DRR practitioners, climate action partners and stakeholders, and other professionals can enroll in the University of the Philippines’ Basics of Resilience Online Courses. The series of microcourses to be offered through UPOU’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modality can be taken as standalone courses and be eventually credited to a Diploma or even a Master’s degree.
Prof. Alfredo Mahar A. Lagmay, UP RI Executive Director, delivered a 30-minute lecture on the disaster context in the Philippines to introduce content of the online courses. He explained CCA-DRR terminologies, some of the natural hazards and the country’s experiences during the past decades, and what must be done given that the Philippines also ranks first in the World Risk Index.
UP and CCA-DRR officials delivered inspirational messages during the hybrid face-to-face and online launch of the program. More than 400 attended this event.
Prof. Ruben M. Gamala, UP RI Director for Education, said this program is a welcome opportunity for those who cannot leave their workplace or community to study.
UPOU-FMDS Dean Joane V. Serrano explained that the courses would provide necessary knowledge not only to those in CCA-DRR professions, but also to those in underserved sectors and other stakeholders to enable them to build resilience in their respective communities.
UPOU Chancellor Melinda Dela Peña Bandalaria added that the program’s micro-credentialing framework is transformational and can be a model for UP’s new initiatives and the country’s higher education institutions.
Office of Civil Defense Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno expressed hope that the online courses will capacitate more CCA-DRR professionals who will engage more people in creating safe, sustainable and resilient communities.
Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje said the initiative affirms the academe’s role in resilience building and is a huge step forward in making education accessible.
UP President Angelo A. Jimenez emphasized the role of universities in facing the threats due to climate change. He said that universities must bring the message to the communities that climate action—climate justice—is the greatest moral imperative of this generation.
“What is required is climate justice. There has to be equity as well,” he said. He challenged academics and researchers to be effective communicators and maximize their creativity in building a scientific culture or a culture of science.
To conclude the program launch, Prof. Genaro A. Cuaresma, UP RI Director for Institution Building, presented a recap of the messages and lessons learned as he acknowledged the speakers, participants and co-organizers of the event.
UP launches online courses on resilience is originally published on University of the Philippines. See the article here. All credit goes to the original author.