Multiple free teacher and student resources, most especially in computer science, have become available to the UP Manila community now that the University is a member of the Oracle Academy. The state campus joined 78 other Philippine institutions on 21 November 2016. At present, it is also the only campus from the UP System to join.

Chancellor Carmencita D. Padilla and Prof. Sheila A. Magboo (Head, Mathematical and Computing Sciences Unit) of the College of Arts & Sciences worked on the membership after the latter presented the proposal to the Chancellor’s Advisory Council in September of last year. The University’s membership will be renewed in 2019.

According to Prof. Magboo, aside from costing UPM nothing, being a part of the Oracle Academy brings the following benefits to the community:
 enable UP Manila to use Oracle Academy branding and logos;
 have access to world-class technology, expertly developed learning materials and curriculum, training, and other resources;
 access to Java and Database Course Curricula, Alice, Greenfoot, Finch Robot, Online Lectures;
 access to Application Express Workspaces for teachers and students;
 allows UP Manila faculty and students to install licensed copies as well as updates and patches of Oracle Software for teaching and Not-for-Profit Academic Research Use;
 enables UP Manila faculty to attend Free Faculty Workshops and Professional Development courses;
 get discounts on Oracle University Training, Certification Exams, Certification Practice Exams; and,
 get 50% discounts on Oracle Press eBooks

To know more about the Oracle Academy and what it can do for the UPM community, please visit its website (https://academy.oracle.com/en/oa-web-overview.html) or its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/oracleacademy/)

[UPDATED]
From Prof. Sheila Magboo: via email sent to IPPAO on 26 January 2017

Here are the details of the available free training seminars.

Database Design and Programming with SQL
Venue: UPITDC, Vidal Tan Hall, Quirino Avenue corner Velasquez St. UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Training Dates: April 3, 2017 – April 7, 2017 – In-class Training
Limited slots on first come first served basis
Prior to enrolling, add yourself as faculty of University of the Philippines Manila. Please see attached for more details.

Java Foundations
Venue: UPITDC, Vidal Tan Hall, Quirino Avenue corner Velasquez St. UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Training Dates: April 10, 2017 – April 14, 2017 – In-class Training
Registration closes on March 27, 2017 (limited slots on first come first served basis)
Prior to enrolling, add yourself as faculty of University of the Philippines Manila. Please see attached for more details.

Database Foundations
Venue: UPITDC, Vidal Tan Hall, Quirino Avenue corner Velasquez St. UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Training Dates: May 8, 2017 – May 12, 2017 – In-class Training
Registration closes on April 28, 2017 (limited slots on first come first served basis)
Prior to enrolling, add yourself as faculty of University of the Philippines Manila. Please see attached for more details.

Java Programming
Venue: UPITDC, Vidal Tan Hall, Quirino Avenue corner Velasquez St. UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Training Dates: May 15, 2017 – May 19, 2017 – In-class Training
Registration closes on May 1, 2017 (limited slots on first come first served basis)
Prior to enrolling, add yourself as faculty of University of the Philippines Manila. Please see attached for more details.

You may also contact Ms. Florinda Concepcion of UP Systems Information Technology Foundation Inc. (Landline: 436-2217, 920-2080, Mobile No. 0947-702-5805, Email: fpconcepcion@up.edu.ph). She is the one who organized the said training.

Written by: FMJemena