More than 11,000 individuals enrolled for the Basics of Resilience, UP’s first and free online course on resilience, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM). The course, which ended its month-long run on February 16, 2024, is a collaborative program by the UP Resilience Institute (UPRI) and the UP Open University Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS).
The course covered fundamental concepts of disaster risk, hazards, exposure, vulnerability, mitigation frameworks, policies, as well as best practices and experiences in resilience building. This aligns with UPRI’s commitment to building resilient communities through inclusive, accessible, and multidisciplinary DRR education. In the same manner, the UPOU realizes this commitment through its thrust and mandate of widening access to high quality education. This is to better serve the public and make UP initiatives especially on DRR and CCAM more accessible and affordable.
Since the course opened on January 15, 2024, the enrollment has witnessed significant growth, drawing participants from diverse sectors and backgrounds. The enrollees included teachers, students, DRR practitioners, business owners, engineers, medical workers, housewives, researchers, and more, representing nearly all provinces within the country. A few other takers are currently residing abroad.
While the majority of enrollees are bachelor’s degree holders, a significant number have educational attainments ranging from high school to vocational course graduates. Some are graduates of a master’s degree or other post-graduate degrees.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) provide, helping me broaden my perspectives and enhance my professional capabilities. As a full-time mom and housewife, I appreciate the self-paced nature of these courses, which allows me to learn during my free time,” said one of the enrollees.
Through the platform provided by the UPOU, the Basics of Resilience was offered as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). MOOCs are free online courses that are open to everyone and can be completed at the convenience of the learner.
“We are happy to see that this initiative by the UPRI and UPOU has educated thousands of people on DRR and resilience. The overwhelming number of enrollees underscores UP’s unwavering dedication to fulfilling its mandate as a public service university,” said Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco Lagmay, Executive Director of the UPRI.
The enrollees emphasized that the insights they acquired from the course are applicable across diverse professions and can significantly help them in contributing to the resilience-building efforts in communities. “As a teacher, integrating the knowledge gained into my professional role involves enhancing the curriculum to cultivate awareness and preparedness among students. By infusing DRR principles into subjects like geography and environmental science, I aim to illustrate the impact of disasters and underscore the importance of risk reduction. Engaging students in community projects, such as mapping local hazards and developing risk reduction plans, provides practical experience and fosters a sense of responsibility,” said one of the enrollees.
The Basics of Resilience is set to reopen later this year to accommodate more interested individuals. Additionally, there will be other courses covering the multidisciplinary nature of DRR. These courses offer participants the opportunity to earn specific units, which can be credited towards a UP Baccalaureate Diploma or a Master’s Degree in Resilience through the micro-credentialing roadmap developed by UPOU.