UPOU to Offer Course On Policies on Plant Genetic Resources
For the first time a course on International Laws and Policies on Plant Genetic Resources will be offered via distance mode. This course was developed jointly by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) Asia-Pacific Region and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU).
A similar course has been offered under the MS in Plant Genetic Resources program at the University of the Philippines Los Baņos (UPLB) through the conventional mode. Through distance education, however, there will be more scientists, researchers, and policy makers who would have access to the course.
In early 2004, IPGRI and the UPOU agreed that IPGRI would provide the content and funding, while the UPOU would develop and offer the course. The 8-module course, will last for 16 weeks and is now ready for offering. The UPOU will pilot test it in June 2005.
International laws and general policies governing exploitation and conservation of plant genetic resources will be the main bulk of the course, and will include cases from enrollees' countries. Designed for scientists and researchers, the non-formal course will eventually become a formal credit course offered by UPOU to international students.
Development of the course, which took about six months, was coordinated by Prof. Patricia B. Arinto of the UPOU. Prof. Arinto also trained the module writers in preparing instructional modules for distance education. Module developers, all scientists from the UP Los Baņos, include Dr. Teresita H. Borromeo, Dr. Nestor C. Altoveros, Dr. Felipe S. dela Cruz, and Dr. Juanito B. Sanggalang.
In the pilot run of the course starting in June 2005, Drs. Borromeo and Altoveros will be Faculty-in-Charge and a pool of international experts from IPGRI and its sister institutions, like the International Rice Research Institute, will serve as resource persons.
The course will be offered online, using the Integrated Virtual Learning Environment (IVLE), UPOU's platform for distance learning. Dr. Ma. Lurenda Suplido, Director of UPOU's Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services will supervise course delivery. Start of enrollment for the course shall be announced soon. Course fee is US$350.00.
For details, contact the UPOU through info@upou.org or call +6349-536-6001 to 6006 loc. 701.(L.A. Gelisan)