austraLasia #1877
'Carpe diem' and blaze trails, says new
Master of Development Communication
MANILA: 14th June 2007 -- In all the essential discussion on ongoing
formation, occasionally people tend to forget that we live in a wired world,
that major institutions deliver online courses, and that one can complete
higher studies, if that is one's bent, calling or command, with a keyboard and
internet connection. But it helps to know of someone, one of us, who has
actually done it, not just talked about the possibility of doing it.
Enter the University of the Philippines Open University
(UPOU) and Fr Gerard Ravasco, Filipino Salesian who has been working in
Cambodia these recent years. Despite - and in his case because - working
full-time in a demanding Salesian mission and ministry, the one and only chance
'Gigi', as he is better known, had of furthering his already keen skills in
communication was to do it by online delivery. On the 9th June, he emerged with
a Masters of Development Communication from UPOU and, what's more, was selected
by the university authorities to deliver the valedictory speech at his
graduation. 'It was', he adds wrily, 'the only graduation I had ever
attended since completing high school when I was 16, and on this occasion it
was the first and last time (probably) I met my fellow students'!
In an interview conducted on the day, Fr Gigi indicated that
he pursued his graduate degree through distance education because, according to
him, it is the most obvious cost-effective, time-productive, and
research-intensive way to upgrade for full-time working people far from the
place of study. When asked why he chose UP Open University among other
universities, Fr. Gigi replied that UPOU offered the program of his choice
(Development Communication) and outside the Philippines, there are many open
universities offering this course too, but the cost of tuition is 5-10 times
that of UPOU.
Fr. Gigi added that the courses he took at UPOU gave him a
broader perspective of the work he does – this is essential for program
planning.
One of the challenges he faced as a distance learner was
that Cambodia doesn't have the most advanced technical infrastructure in
Southeast Asia - in fact the technical school in Phnom Penh only got
electricity in 1999. Looking for an internet connection was his greatest
problem, especially when he began this course. But then, nor is any form of
serious ongoing formation.
When asked what is the best lesson that he has learned from
being a student of UPOU, he responded, " During the 3rd National
Conference on Open and Distance Education last February, I noticed that Former
Chancellor Felix Librero always gets furious whenever other educators would
comment that Open and Distance Education is far easier than the brick and
mortar type. From my experience studying at UPOU, I would agree with Dr
Librero's reaction. Distance Education at UPOU is really for mature and
independent learners who are willing to take responsibility for their learning.
It takes a lot of discipline to do your readings, make your researches, and
finish your assignments while you are on a full-time job far from your school
ambience. I'm sure my other classmates have more interesting experiences that
can prove this point. All I can say is: Distance Learning at UPOU is not for
the faint of heart".
This may be a good opportunity to take a look at the
website that Fr Gigi has much to do with - and his own blog, 'Journeying', to
be found at the bottom of the homepage: http://www.donboscokhmer.org/
_________________
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