Dr. Joane Serrano appointed as 5th chancellor of UP Open University
Dr. Joane V. Serrano (Photo courtesy of UPOU)
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Dr. Joane V. Serrano has been appointed as the fifth Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), the UP Board of Regents announced.
She officially began her term on March 1.
Serrano took her oath of office on Feb. 28, 2025, during UPOU’s 30th anniversary celebration. UP President Angelo Jimenez administered the ceremony.
Serrano joined UPOU in 1995 as a research associate and has since played a role in its evolution as a leading institution for online education. In her vision paper, she emphasized the importance of balancing historical awareness with a forward-thinking approach.
“Our future demands more than just adapting to change—it requires the courage to shape it. By learning from our past, we can think strategically, anticipate challenges, and create an inspiring vision for the years to come,” Serrano said.
She outlined her strategic plan for UPOU, positioning it as a “Transformative University of the Future,” with four key components: sustainability and resilience, entrepreneurial innovation and creativity, a learning-centered approach, and a commitment to health and well-being.
“At the heart of this vision are the UPOU people—its faculty, staff, students, alumni, partners, and other stakeholders,” she said.
Serrano has built a distinguished academic career focused on sustainability. She is a professor in the Doctor in Sustainability (DSus) and Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management (MENRM) programs at the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) at UPOU.
Her research includes inclusive learning, cultural systems, landscape systems, and green behaviors, with publications in national and international journals. She also serves as the editor of the Journal of Management and Development Studies.
Prior to her appointment, Serrano served as FMDS dean beginning in 2022. Under her leadership, the Doctor in Sustainability program was introduced, attracting over 100 applicants in its first three offerings. She established collaborations with local and international institutions to promote biodiversity, sustainable value chains, and climate-smart communities.
In 2023, she spearheaded the launch of the Permaculture Systems Design Thinking (PSDT) course and the Permaculture G.A.R.D.E.N. (Growing Appreciation toward Resilience, Development, Entrepreneurship, and Nutrition). FMDS also launched the Alitaptap Community Currency under the Sustainability in Action – A Living Laboratory Campus (SiALLC) initiative.
Serrano received the 2018 Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding UPOU Faculty award. She holds a Ph.D. in Development Communication, a Master of Management in Development Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Development Communication, all from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
She also completed postgraduate studies at the United Nations University in Japan and the Asian Institute of Management under the Commission on Higher Education’s Global Academic Leadership Program.
