The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) was regenerated with the addition of three sub-offices in response to the growing needs in teaching, curriculum and education technology in accordance to the Executive Order No. PAEP 16-02 dated April 26, 2016. The newly institutionalized offices are as follows: General Education Center (GEC), Office of Field Activities (OFA) and Office of International Linkages (OIL).
The restructuring also allowed for the office of National Service Training Program (NSTP) to be realigned from the Office of the Chancellor (OC) to the OVCAA as it handles an academic requirement (service training) that is mandated by law.
Moreover, the Office of Extension Coordination (OEC) was transferred to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD) to expand its activities relating to institutional extension program projects in parallel with institutional research and creative works. However, some of the tasks of the OEC were reassigned to other OVCAA sub-offices such as the OIL Diliman and Office of the Advancement of Teaching (OAT).
The reorganization had ultimately resulted to the establishment of a total of eight sub-offices gearing towards individual goals that contribute to OVCAA’s mandate to support the Chancellor in coordinating curricular, instructional, research and extension, library and other academic activities of UP Diliman.
The following are the eight offices of the OVCAA and their corresponding functions:
Office of the Advancement of Teaching (OAT). Formerly called the Office of the Director of Instruction (ODI), OAT gives teaching support by initiating and coordinating programs for faculty development and recognition, by collaborating with ILC and UL in the development and promotion of educational technologies, and by facilitating UP Diliman’s local or national academic linkages. OAT also manages the administration and processing of Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) and provides the university with information on the performance of its programs and implementation of policies related to teaching. Likewise, OAT aids in coordination of administrative matters concerning UP Diliman faculty loading. As part of OVCAA, OAT’s banner goal is to bring “development.”
General Education Center (GEC). GEC supports the interdisciplinary measures of the GE courses by coordinating with and among faculty members who can teach each course; compiles and disseminates GE course material in coordination with UL and ILC; and plans and conducts workshops and training programs to enhance GE teaching in coordination with OAT. It also consolidates the review and evaluation of the GE program, and supports GE research projects. Furthermore, GEC provides support to colleges or units in the development of concepts, pedagogies, materials and all resources pertaining to GE courses. In shaping the OVCAA, GEC’s banner goal is to create “convergence.”
National Service Training Program (NSTP). NSTP Diliman has the banner “Tatak UP Diliman” which aims to develop an NSTP that is unique to UP Diliman as a bastion of knowledge, research and creative work. It also aims to promote service to the nation and people while complying with RA 9163 (known as the National Service Training Program Act of 2001) and its IRR. NSTP Diliman’s functions also include formulation of structure and guidelines that recognize the extension work of various disciplines while aligning with “Tatak UP Diliman” NSTP. It also aims to develop programs that encourage volunteerism among students, and to coordinate with and among academic units in the implementation, monitoring and review of NSTP projects and activities. As part of the OVCAA, NSTP Diliman’s banner goal is to craft “synergy.”
Office of Field Activities (OFA). In the context of the academic field service, OFA’s role is to ensure that University policies and guidelines are properly operationalized, to ensure that field activities are conducted inline the course or curriculum, and to ensure that safety of the students and faculty in the field. OFA also assists academic units in integrating academic field activities in their curriculum – planning, implementation and monitoring – while also providing orientations and trainings to faculty in cooperation with OAT. Moreover, OFA also coordinates with and among academic units regarding linkages and feedback to and from industries, government offices, non-government organizations, and other local institutions for student internship and other field activities. OFA’s banner goal, in relation to the OVCAA, is to maintain “context.”
Office of the University Registrar (OUR). OUR’s main functions involve the implementation of existing procedure and exploring better procedures for student admission and registration. It also warrants well-managed process in connection with student information system and student academic evaluation, records management, and issuance of credentials. The OUR supports relevant University Council committees and advise academic units in the crafting and review of policies and programs. As a contribution to the whole of OVCAA, OUR’s banner goal is to serve “quality service.”
University Library (UL). The UL aims to provide an open, accessible, and engaging studying space to support individual and collaborative learning, and a creative and critical thinking experience. It also intends to deliver easy access to information, and to enhance information literacy and the art of doing research through library instruction programs. The UL also endeavors to modernize library functions and services through the use of information technology while ensuring to protect the longevity of the library’s resources through effective archiving and digitalization programs. In support to the OVCAA, UL’s banner goal is the bring “modernization.”
Interactive Learning Center (ILC). ILC Diliman was formerly called Diliman Interactive Learning Center. It aims to make facilities and tools available for production and to be used as teaching and learning materials. It also targets to develop and maintain an online learning management system. Furthermore, ILC facilitates trainings on educational technology and promotes multimedia, web and mobile services as a means to enhance teaching and leaning. It recommends policies and guidelines, and technological facilities and tools to ensure the quality and the advancement of online learning. ILC coordinates with OAT, GEC, and other university offices on services and projects for instructional design and advancement of teaching. As an aid to the OVCAA, ILC Diliman’s banner goal is to provide “mainstreaming”.
Office of International Linkages (OIL). Through the international mobility of the student, faculty, and staff, OIL Diliman aims to bring in fresh ideas that could give new programs to the institution, to review and revise existing programs, and to develop innovative teaching and learning methods. It also organizes and supports forums that discuss international issues to which collaborative research and creative works can be based. Additionally, OIL seeks to establish international linkages hinged on mutually agreed upon thematic issues and to promote multi-cultural interactions. As part of the whole of OVCAA, OIL Diliman’s banner goal is to establish “engagement.”
The review and evaluation process of the OVCAA reorganization proposal started in 2014 with a workshop with the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for academic affairs, the Directors and heads of OVCAA offices and key staff members. Tentative operational changes followed. Then after some two years of pre-testing, which showed favorable outcomes, the proposal was completed on February 2016 with the restructure and function of eight offices.
The last comprehensive OVCAA reorganization was done in 1983.
