Article prepared by: David Josh C. Concepcion
On September 4, 2025, representatives of the UP Resilience Institute – Institution Building (UPRI IB) division met with officials of the UP Open University (UPOU), including Chancellor Prof. Joane V. Serrano, to discuss the Hubs establishment of a Cyber Security, Cyber Resilience, Digital Innovation, and Sustainability Hub (CYBERDISH) in UPOU.
The UPRI IB team, together with Chancellor Prof. Joane V. Serrano PhD, Dean Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, Dr. Reinald Adrian Pugoy, and Ricardo T. Bagarinao PhD, participated in the meeting to provide institutional perspectives and initial feedback on the proposal.
The discussion highlighted the significance of implementing the hub across the UP system to strengthen the university’s initiatives on digital resilience, cyber security awareness, and sustainability through technological innovation. UPRI IB presented the vision for CYBERDISH as a collaborative platform to support both academic programs and research outputs.
UPOU emphasized its interest in integrating CYBERDISH into its existing programs in open and distance learning, citing the potential of the hub to enhance cybersecurity education, digital literacy, and innovation in online learning environments. The institution acknowledged that the hub could also complement ongoing research and community extension initiatives.
Key points raised during the meeting included: the clarification of IB’s support role in assisting UP Open University for Hub establishment, the alignment of CYBERDISH with UPOU’s academic and digital innovation agenda, and initial considerations on facilities, resource requirements, and coordination channels between UPRI and UPOU.
As for the key ways forward, IB needs to prepare and transmit a detailed proposal of the framework for the CYBERDISH hub. And UPOU needs to review the said framework, identify focal staff for coordination, and map possible integration points with its programs.
Overall, the meeting ended on a good-note, highlighting the need for a more secure digital resilience for the nation.