UP launches fundraising program to help equip its students for remote learning

The University of the Philippines on Tuesday launched a program aiming to equip its students with the necessary materials for remote learning this coming school year.

"Kaagapay sa Pag-aaral ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan" or simply #KaagapayUP, is a fundraiser that aims to provide financially-students with their own laptop computers and internet connections.

During the online launch of the program, UP Vice President for Public Affairs Dr. Elena Pernia said they are now accepting pre-owned, nearly new computers, and monetary gifts of any amount.

The website kaagapay.up.edu.ph is now live, and is ready to process the donations.

UP President Danilo Concepcion said that an estimated 5,600 students will have a difficult time adjusting to remote learning.

"Hindi po natin nais na itigil ang tuklas ng talino sa pamamagitan ng pagaaral at pagsasaliklik. At kung may maiiwanan man, gagawan po natin ng paraaan upang sila ay makasama," he said.

Next normal

UP Vice President for Academic Affiars Cynthia Banzon Bautista said that the coronavirus pandemic catalyzed a reform in their educational system.

The university is now shifting to their "next normal": a mix of face-to-face, virtual, and experiential learning.

"The future for UP is really going to be blended," she said.

For AY 2020-2021, which will begin this September, UP has adapted remote teaching and learning, with the possibility of blended remote and face-to-face learning in courses with discipline-specific skills (i.e. laboratory, studio, practicum, etc.), provided public health requirements are met.

The remote learning courses will utilize asynchronous communication platforms, like online message boards and instant messaging applications, as well as synchronous or 'real-time' platforms like UP's Learning Management Systems, Zoom, Google Classroom, Edmodo, and others.

For more information about how to donate, visit kaagapay.up.edu.ph.

You may also contact the Kaagapay secretariat at 0916 723 1200 or kaagapay@up.edu.ph.

—JCB, GMA News