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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