Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas

Photos by Joseph A. Bautista

The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) is continuously fulfilling its role as the country’s premier Health Science Center by offering accessible, high-quality, and relevant health education through the pioneer development of the country’s first multidisciplinary continuing professional development (CPD) and micro-credential programs in health education. This groundbreaking initiative aims to equip professionals with diverse skills and knowledge, ensuring they can meet the evolving demands of their fields effectively.

To this end, Dr. Lenora C. Fernandez, Coordinator of the Office of Continuing Education (OCE), organized a workshop on May 27, 2024, at the Henry Sy Sr. Medical Sciences Building, UP College of Medicine, bringing together continuing education coordinators from each College, including the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other key units and departments that will facilitate the implementation of these initiatives, such as the Information Management Service (IMS) and the Information Publication and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO).

UPM as leading NDCEA provider

The OCE’s mission is to coordinate the plethora of Non-Degree Continuing Education Activities (NDCEA) across UPM, ensuring they meet the institution’s standards and the evolving needs of its professional community. NDCEAs include non-degree courses, programs, and activities at the postgraduate level offered by any department, unit, or college of UP Manila. These can be refresher courses, workshops, technical lectures, seminars, and other training courses and program development activities.

Dr. Fernandez discussed the vision of UP Manila as a leading NDCEA provider in health sciences and associated fields in the Philippines. Implementing a Multidisciplinary CPD (MD-CPD) program will streamline the accreditation process for these CPD programs. Currently, there are separate accreditations for different health professions, but the proposed system seeks to unify these under a single application, reducing redundancy and fostering a more integrated approach to professional development.

“PRC is looking at UP Manila na mauuna tayo nito na mag-forward,” revealed Dr. Fernandez, referring to a letter from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) dated April 22, 2024, designating UP Manila as the pioneering institution to receive accreditation as an MD-CPD provider.

“Ang gusto ng Chancellor sana na maka-reach out tayo beyond Metro Manila, yung mga kasuluk-sulukan, sana maka-provide pa rin tayo ng health science education beyond our classrooms and reach even yung mga hindi nakakapunta sa city centers sa mga iba’t ibang probinsya, to have a more inclusive university policy like open distance learning,” emphasized Dr. Fernandez, sharing the vision for micro-credentialing.

The initiative also involves a significant focus on micro-credentials, which offer targeted, skill-specific certifications that can be more easily attained and applied than traditional degrees. This approach aims to make professional development more accessible and practical, catering to the immediate needs of various sectors within the healthcare industry. Micro-credentials offer short, competency-based, industry-aligned units of learning that reduce discrepancies and bridge skill set gaps, providing learners with market-relevant skills. 

UP Manila plans offer these micro-credentials as a “pocket-size alternative” to micro-short courses through online, hybrid, or face-to-face learning activities. Mastery of the specific skills or competencies will be documented through the UP VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) platform, and the badges of completion will be certified by the UPM academic administration. Recognition or accreditation of these micro-credentials will be sought from national accrediting agencies (CHED, PRC, TESDA) and leading health industry organizations and enterprises.

The workshop had small group discussions and brainstorming sessions, wherein participants identified the current MCPD activities offered by UPM Colleges and Units and worked to harmonize them into multidisciplinary CPD programs. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Strengths (SWOT) analysis of UPM Colleges and Units was conducted, and the outputs from these small group discussions were then presented and discussed in a plenary session. #

From left, seated: Dr. Karen June P. Dumlao, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, UP College of Medicine (UPCM); Representative, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development; Dr. Leonora C. Fernandez, Coordinator of the Office of Continuing Education; Edlyn B. Jimenez, Coordinator UP Manila Research Ethics Board; Prof. Erlyn A. Sana, National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions (NTTC-HP); Dr. Melflor A. Atienza, Dean, NTTC-HP; Dr. Vivien Fe F. Fadrilan-Camacho, Director, Office of International and Local Linkages. From left, standing: Joseph Ian N. Ocampo, Information Management Service (IMS); Nixie Ioanna M. Ocampo, IMS; Marjorie V. Perez, IMS; Perl E. Gasmen, IMS; Diosdado B. Calmada, IMS; Prof. Jenniffer T. Paguio, Head, Continuing Education and Community Extension Services Program, UP College of Nursing; Prof. Wensley M. Reyes, Department of Social Sciences, UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Marie Dione P. Sacdalan, Clinical Professor, UPCM; Prof. Yves Y. Palad, UPM College of Allied Medical Professions; Melanie C. Salido, Nurse Educator, UP-Philippine General Hospital; Dr. Marie Rossini Carmela Lachica, UP College of Dentistry; Prof. Mac Ardy J. Gloria, UP College of Pharmacy; Prof. Jose Ma. M. Angeles; UP College of Public Health; Charmaine A. Lingdas, Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office; Annginor Joy M. Santos,Office of Continuing Education.