EDUCATION

About Us

Vision

A leading academic institution in empowering people for the promotion and sustenance of climate change and disaster resilience through formal and informal educational programs.

Goals

– To support and facilitate the development of formal academic programs within the UP System on climate change and disaster risk resilience.

– To develop capacities that will empower organizations, institutions, and communities towards disaster resilience.

– To strengthen the academic community in their efforts in integrating and mainstreaming DRR and CCA in their educational programs, namely teaching, research, and extension services.

The Team

A portrait of Richard L. Ybañez, the Chief Science Research Specialist

Richard L. Ybanez
Chief Science Research Specialist

Flordeliz A. Agra
Senior Science Research Specialist

Monica May M. Mendoza
Science Research Specialist II

Gabriel C. Tan
Junior Research Analyst

Evangeline Lucille O. Ortiz
Senior Research Associate

Ma. Shara Micah G. Oliquino
Junior Project Assistant

Dainty Claire V. Rabang
Project Field Coordinator

Bernardino C. Molina
Senior Administrative Assistant

Benjamin A. Aquino
Project Staff

Lizeth O. Gutierrez
Student Assistant

Educational Offerings

Fundamentals of Resilience Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

In partnership with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), we offer a series of micro-courses focused on climate change adaptation and disaster risk resilience. These courses are free, fully online, and self-paced. Learners may take them as standalone offerings or apply them as credit toward the Master of Climate and Disaster Resilience graduate program, which is also co-offered with UPOU. You may read more about it here.

If you are interested in taking the MOOCs, you may visit this page for updates on the course offerings.

Master of Climate and Disaster Resilience (MCDR)

In partnership with UPOU, the MCDR graduate program prepares professionals to integrate Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in addressing complex, compounding risks.

Designed for practitioners and capacity builders across sectors and scales, the program equips learners with the skills to develop evidence-based, context-responsive solutions that connect science, policy, and practice. Delivered through an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, the MCDR also offers a Graduate Certificate exit option, providing flexible pathways for career advancement and lifelong learning in resilience-building.

The first-ever offering of the MCDR will be in the First Semester of the UPOU Academic Calendar 2026–2027. Admissions and enrollment will open soon.

Internship

The UP Resilience Institute Internship Program is open to undergraduate students from various disciplines who would like to experience work in disaster and climate science. This program is open during the Midyear of the UP Academic Calendar. You may read more about the internship program here.

Educational Materials

We also develop educational materials for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (DRR-CCAM). These resources include interactive learning materials like 3-D printed topography models and an Augmented Reality (AR) sandbox. We also oversee the UPRI Library, which houses physical and online reference materials for DRR-CCAM.

Augmented Reality (AR) Sandbox

A dynamic and interactive experience that allows users to visually explore topographic features through interaction with the sand table and its projected contour lines and colors. It is based on an open-source project at U.C. Davis supported by the National Science Foundation.

3D Printed Topography Models

Detailed and accurate physical models were created to provide a three-dimensional representation of fault lines. Through visualization and hands-on learning, learners can develop a better understanding of complex geological concepts.

Reference Materials on DRRM

A physical library was set up at the UPRI to provide access to information and resources on DRRM. A database of online references is also available so researchers can efficiently discover related materials.

Partnerships

Philippine Academic Society for Climate and Disaster Resilience (PASCDR)

As PASCDR’s permanent Secretariat, we help the Society in promoting, integrating, and conducting disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change actions to support safe schools and strengthen societal resilience against all hazards.

Learn more and get in touch with the PASCDR:

Facebook: fb.com/pascdresilience/

Website: pascdr.org

Email: secretariat@pascdr.org

Philippine Preparedness Partnership (PhilPrep)

PhilPrep is the national chapter in the Philippines of the Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) established by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). The APP is a regional partnership that includes countries from South and Southeast Asia to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

The UP Resilience Institute joins the PhilPrep, making the tripartite partnership composed of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) representing the government, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) representing the private sector, and the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) representing the civil society organizations, a quartet.

Learn more about PhilPrep:

Facebook: fb.com/philpreparedness

APP Website: app.adpc.net/philippines/