Open University

What to expect on this lecture

• History of Open university
• What is an Open University
• Legal basis for an Open University in the Philippines
• Open Universities in the Philippines
 History of Open University

• The Open University (OU) is a distance learning and research

university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom.

• The OU was established in 1969 and the first students enrolled

in January 1971.
• The university is funded by a combination of student fees,
contract income, and allocations for teaching and research by
the higher education funding bodies in each of the four
countries of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland).

• It is notablefor having an open entry policy, i.e. students'

previous academic achievements are not taken into account
for entry to most undergraduate courses.
• The majority of the OU's undergraduate students are based in
the United Kingdom and principally study off-campus, but
many of its courses (both undergraduate and postgraduate)
can be studied off-campus anywhere in the world.

• The University administration is based at Walton Hall, Milton

Keynes in Buckinghamshire, but has regional centres in each
of its thirteen regions around the United Kingdom.

• It also has offices and regional examination centres in most

other European countries.
• The University awards undergraduate and postgraduate
degrees, as well as non-degree qualifications such as diplomas
and certificates, or continuing education units.
 What is an Open University?
• Open universities are universities that have a less formal
structure than traditional universities.

• They are also known for open-door entry policies, where no

particular academic qualifications are needed for entry into
degree granting or other academic enrichment programs.

• Therefore, open universities attract and are ideal for students

who are older or who wish to achieve advanced degrees while
continuing their careers.
• They are ideal for continuing education that is either desired
or required to advance within a profession or specialty.

• Programs offered by open universities include distance or

online learning, correspondence courses, a combination
of on-site lectures and distance learning, as well as degree
programs which grant credit for life experience including work
experience.

• Open universities are foundthroughout the world

programs offered range from technical training to advanced
degrees in commerce, finance and even law
• While open universities are usually private institutions, they
offer instruction at prices that tend to be far lower than those
of even some public institutions which offer similar courses.

• Degrees granted by open universities are often well respected

in the workplace because they show the graduate’s
commitment to obtaining further knowledge and
training while remaining committed to his or her career.
• The OU strives to fight social injustice and discrimination
through education. Its vision includes serving disabled people,
who are officially a priority group within the University.
• Courses of OU have four elements: the study pack, tutorials,
assessments, and examinations.
• The "study pack" contains the material for the course in the
form of textbooks, a study guide, and supplementary
materials which can be in the form of audio tape, video tapes,
and so forth. In the 1970s many lectures were recorded
and broadcast on television using the BBC channel,
"BBC2."Today, these materials are increasingly presented via
the internet.
• In addition to self-study, students are assigned tutors, who
provide academic support in the form of answering questions
as well as running tutorial sessions to go over the material and
discuss assignments. There is continuous assessment in the
form of assignments that must be completed and submitted
to the tutor within specified time frames. Courses conclude
with a final examination, which may be taken at a local
university.
Advantages of the Open University
• 1) Students learn how to manage their own time so they get
better at prioritizing and committing their selves – it’s all
about self-motivation and raw personal development.
• 2) Students study when it suits them as they don’t have to
attend tutorials every day so they can get their career up and
running at the same time.
• 3) Students can get help when they need it via the online
forums, email and telephone, rather than having to wait to
see their tutor.
Disadvantages of the Open University
• 1) Students don’t have as much physical contact to build
relationships with peers.
• 2) Students have to be very dedicated and self-motivated to
manage their study time and life.
 Legal basis for an Open University in the
Philippines
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES-
ARTICLE XIV

ARTICLE XIV EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ARTS,

CULTURE AND SPORTS

EDUCATION
• Section 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens
to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to
make such education accessible to all.

• Section 2. The State shall:

(4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning
systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study
programs particularly those that respond to community needs; and

(5)Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth

with training in civics, vocational efficiency, and other skills.
 Open Universities in the Philippines

Open university programs in the Philippines

A great variety of degree, non-degree, certificate, and
diploma courses are offered through open universities in the
Philippines, most of which are divisions of state universities. The
open university programs in the Philippines include the
following:
1. The University of the Philippines, Open University (UPOU),
founded on 23 February 1995, offers degree and non-degree
programs, including courses at the undergraduate, graduate,
and doctoral level and certificate or diploma courses. It has
been named the National Center of Excellence in Open
Learning and Distance Education by CHED. Lessons are given
via Internet, learning modules, and occasional face-to-face
sessions.
2. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Open
University (PUP OU) has offered non-degree courses since
the 1970s and degree courses since 1990.

3. The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Open University

(PLM OU)

4. The Pangasinan State University Open University Systems

(PSU-OUS) were founded in 1996 and began at PSU-
Lingayen in March 1997 with diploma courses. It now offers a
wide range of courses to residents of Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos
Sur, as well as Pangasinan.
5. The Western Mindanao University Open University System
provides a nonthesis master of public administration course,
major in organization and management. The students meet
with their professors once a month at the nodal centers in
Ipil, Sibugay and Pagadian City.

6. Bicol University’s Open University, established in 2005,

allows students to earn master’s degrees in public
administration, local government management, and
management.
7. The CLSU Open University, founded on August 29, 1997, offers
graduate, post-graduate, certificate, and diploma courses. The
lessons are administered through printed modules and occasional
live tutorial sessions.

8. Benguet State University has offered master’s and diploma

programs for certain courses since 1997.

9. Asian Institute for Distance Education

10.CAP College Foundation

 Differences of distance learning and open
university.
• Open and distance learning universities both offer online degrees, but they have
different degrees of openness to candidates.
• Basically, open universities tend to accept any student, with no age limits and no
prior education requirement. In some open universities, students cannot complete
a degree, but the credits they earn can then be transferred towards an academic
degree.
• By contrast, distance learning universities have entry requirements similar to those
of traditional universities and they guarantee that you will earn an academic
degree provided you fulfil the course requirements.
THANK YOU