Philippine Embassy Hosts Pilot Launch of The University of the Philippines “UP Vinta”
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) first launched its “UP Vinta” program in Japan in ceremonies held on 22 March 2024 at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano warmly welcomed the delegation from the UP, led by University President Atty. Angelo Jimenez, together with Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leo Cubillan, Vice President for Legal Affairs Abraham Rey Acosta, UP Open University (UPOU) Chancellor Melinda dP. Bandalaria, and UPOU Linkages Officer Margaret J. Suarez.
During the event, the UPOU officials presented the UP Vinta Program, an initiative aimed at providing a borderless education opportunity for all Filipinos working or those based overseas to complete UP degree programs and courses through a fully online mode of instruction.
UP President Atty. Jimenez, who served in various government positions in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), expressed his hope that the project would “capacitate” all overseas Filipinos, especially those who are in high-risk jobs, to improve their lives. He said “UP Vinta is a message of hope” for overseas Filipinos, their families, and the Philippines.
The pilot overseas launch of UP Vinta in Japan was the result of the series of talks between Ambassador Garcia-Albano and UP President Jimenez to make the project available for Filipinos in Japan. Ongoing talks are being held for UP Vinta’s launch in other countries in cooperation with the various Philippine Embassies and Consulates.
On the sidelines of the launch, Ambassador Garcia-Albano held a meeting with the UP delegation and discussed education and research initiatives for Filipinos who are not only living in Japan but also in countries which the Embassy has jurisdiction over such as the Federal States of Micronesia, Palau, and Marshall Islands.
Further information about UP Vinta is available at https://www.upou.edu.ph/news/up-vinta-revolutionizes-education-a-global-journey-unveiled/
