On September 26, 2024, the International Social Responsibility Forum (iUSR) was held at the KMU International Convention Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The event was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education (MOE), University Social Responsibility (USR) of Taiwan, and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), aimed at fostering closer ties between Taiwan and the Philippines through shared experiences and strategies to promote social development.
The forum featured notable experts, including the IOP director, Dr. Roberto Figueroa Jr., Asst. Prof. Milben Bragais and Dr. Reinald Adrian Pugoy. The panel focused on how universities can act as hubs for good governance and community engagement, with technology as a critical social responsibility tool.
In his talk, Dr. Figueroa introduced Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), a pedagogical approach that connects students from different countries through online activities, fostering intercultural competence and global citizenship. Through various platforms, students collaborate on projects that align with IUSR goals, addressing global social challenges.To highlight UPOU’s initiatives on immersive open pedagogies, he also discussed the innovative use of the metaverse—a virtual environment where students can interact and co-create in 3D spaces using avatars. Dr. Figueroa highlighted how this immersive technology enables meaningful, real-world engagement, transcending physical borders, and making it an ideal tool for promoting community engagement and social responsibility.
Written by Hannah Gabriella Macaldo
Edited by Roberto Figueroa Jr.
