Open Universities

Educational opportunities have never been better as now.

Traditional education requirements, particularly in attendance can be very restrictive for adults having career and family obligations.  Students go to class in school campuses for a prescribed number of years in definite schedules.  For a time, there was no other option especially for working or stay-at-home adults to finish a degree or get a second degree since the offered schedules and attendance requirements are impossible to meet.  If younger students have home-schooling for an option, adults have theirs through online degrees and other off-campus learning options offered by open universities and distance education institutions.

The Nature of Open Universities

An Open University is differentiated from a traditional university by its less formal structure.  The entry policies for students are markedly lenient in the aspect of academic qualifications and age.  The purpose of this “leniency” is to allow people who would usually be prevented from finishing a degree to pursue and obtain their educational goals without being hampered by the usual obstacles such as academic deficiency.  The only prerequisite in the educational option through open universities is the ability to study in an appropriate level.

The idea of an open university is founded on the belief that educational opportunities should be extended to everybody most especially to those who are encountering difficulty in going through the traditional way.  The different economic circumstances of people give rise to the possibility that some may have to join the labor force much earlier than their school batch-mates due to financial or other reasons.    There are also gainfully employed graduates who would still wish to pursue higher education for career advancement but are unable to take a leave of absence from their work.

Where are Open Universities Located?

Open universities can be found in different locations all over the world.  They are able to provide their programs through learning and testing centers which facilitate learning through varying methods including online learning, distance learning, correspondence courses, and on-site lectures, when offered.  Degree programs offered by open universities usually count work experience as valid credits.

The Open University of UK which was founded by the Royal Charter is acknowledged as the first successful distance teaching university in the world.   The fact that it is a duly accredited school of higher learning in the US is a testament to the fact that location is no longer a hindrance to the achievement of educational goals.  There are now many educational institutions all over the world using the words “open university” in addition to their original names to represent their distance or online offerings.

Open Universities in the Philippines and Their Offered Off-Campus Programs

Established in 1995, the University of the Philippines – Open University (UPOU) is considered the pioneer in online learning and teaching in the Philippines.  Its distance education program is comprised of 2 undergraduate programs, 9 post-baccalaureate certificate and diploma programs, 11 master’s degree programs, 2 doctoral programs, and 9 non-formal courses.  It provides its services through 10 learning centers and 19 testing centers located locally and abroad.  The complete list of online academic programs offered by UPOU can be seen here as well as non-formal courses.

Learning is facilitated through online tutorials in a virtual classroom environment.  Learning materials are either provided in print, video, or multimedia and communication is supported through email, teleconferencing, and text messaging. All examinations, whether done face-to-face or online, are proctored.

Other open universities and schools offering online and distance programs based in the Philippines include the following:

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila- Open University (PLMOU)

Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University

De La Salle University Manila

Benguet State University

Philippine Normal University

Central Luzon State University

Ateneo University

Asian Institute for Distance Education

Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST)

Philippine Women’s University

My Say

The number of accredited distance learning and open universities in the Philippines is still quite few because of the required resources needed for successful programs of this nature.  The response however is very positive and should encourage more established schools to offer distance and online programs.  In choosing the best online university, it is necessary to check accreditation and credentials among other things to make sure that time and money will not go to waste.

As the above list is far from comprehensive and complete, this blog welcomes any addition to the list of Philippine schools offering online degree and distance education programs.  All schools mentioned in this post have intentionally been provided with their respective links to allow searchers to get their required information from the school’s official websites.  This listing is being provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a personal recommendation of the author for any particular school.  The choice of school will depend on students’ needs and requirements.