The UPLB College of Development Communication (CDC) together with the University of Reading (UoR) conducted a workshop to craft the curriculum for a proposed Dual Master of Science in Development Communication program held on 2-3 April 2024 in the CDC Conference Room. This took off from an initial workshop that laid the foundations of the proposal held in March 2023.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol, who expressed enthusiasm in seeing the MS program come to fruition soon. She also thanked CDC’s visiting professor, Dr. Sarah Cardey of UoR’s School of Agriculture, Policy, and Development, for her university’s sustained collaboration with UPLB CDC.
On the other hand, Dr. Benjamina Paula G. Flor, CDC Curriculum Committee and Graduate Program Management Committee Chair, highlighted the significance of the endeavor in advancing the globalization of Devcom as an academic and scholarly field.
During the workshop proper, discussions on various areas were done, particularly the program requirements and program goals, as well as the program rationale, program learning objectives, and course structure and crediting.
These were facilitated by Dr. Pamela A. Custodio (UPLB Graduate School Secretary), Dr. Winifredo B. Dagli (Chair, Department of Science Communication), and Dr. Edmund G. Centeno (Chair, CDC Quality Assurance Committee), respectively. The resources and administration of the MS program was also tackled. Director Anna Floresca F. Firmalino of the Office of International Linkages (OIL) was also present to give additional insights and feedback.
Also in attendance to provide insights were CDC’s Executive Committee members, namely Asst. Prof. Aletheia C. Araneta (Chair, Department of Development Journalism), Dr. Trina Leah T. Mendoza (Chair, Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication), Mr. Elijah Jesse M. Pine (OIC, Department of Educational Communication), and Dr. Liza A. Cabrera (College Secretary), and Dr. Elaine DC. Llarena (International Relations Officer).
Serving as documenter and facilitator were Ms. Juvy Leonarda N. Gopela (University Researcher I) and Asst. Prof. Miguel Victor T. Durian (Chair, CDC Committee on Public Affairs), respectively.
Through the UPLB Graduate School, CDC currently offers five graduate programs in Devcom. One of which is a Dual PhD by Research Program jointly offered with UoR. (Miguel Victor Durian)
