UP Open University to offer free online certificate courses

Shawne Marion Manalo

The University of the Philippines (UP) Open University is offering 44 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for free this 2025, welcoming students, professionals, and parents who wish to return to learning or explore new fields. 

Photo Courtesy of UPOU.

The courses extend across a wide range of fields including entrepreneurship, AI management, gender studies, and more.

E-certificates will be given to people who complete the courses, which can be used as a 16-hour training inclusion in a resume.

The Open Distance eLearning modality of the program gives its learners the liberty to self-paced learning, especially for working professionals.

This initiative started in March 2013 through the Massive Open Distance e-Learning (MODeL) platform aimed to promote open and distance education by making high-quality learning resources accessible to a broader audience — including parents.

The number of available courses this year is more than double compared to last year’s 24 certificate courses.

Here are the courses currently offered this 2025:

January

• Basics of Resilience
• Hazard and Risk Assessment Fundamentals
• Overview of Policies and Strategies for Climate and Disaster Resilience

February

• Social Entrepreneurship
• Principles of Graphic Design
• Creativity and Innovation

March

• Introduction to Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Strategic Planning in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Understanding the Child Better
• Resilience Strategies Across the Four Pillars
• Introduction to Biodiversity Mainstreaming and Approaches in the ASEAN Region
• Strategies and Best Practices on Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Agriculture
• Policy Development and Governance Supporting Agrobiodiversity
• Al Essentials: Theory and Practice

April

• Maging Mapanuring Botante at Mamamayan
• Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning
• Introductory Course on Contact Center Services
• Quality Assurance in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Learner Support in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Legal Instruments for the Protection of Children
• Scriptwriting for Educational Video Materials
• Project Management

May

• Technology in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Teaching and Learning with Modern ICTs
• Business Analytics Concepts and Frameworks
• Online Mother’s Class on Newborn and Infant Care

June

• Gender Sensitivity Training
• Blended Teaching and Learning Using Open Educational Resources (OERS)
• Institutional Mechanism Towards Child Rights Protection and Promotion
• Creating Educational Materials Using PowToon
• Identifying Red Flags
• Al in Education: Teaching and Learning Strategies

July

• Introduction to Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Strategic Planning in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning
• Fundamentals of Marketing
• E-Commerce Essentials: A beginner’s Guide to Online Business
• Introduction to Permaculture: The Ethics of Permaculture Design and Principles

August

• Teaching and Learning with Modern ICTs
• Planning Programs on Child Rights Protection and Promotion
• Developing and Producing an Interactive Educational Video Material
• Quality Assurance in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Learner Support in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)

September

• Technology in Open Distance eLearning (ODEL)
• Blended Teaching and Learning Using Open Educational Resources (OERS)
• Implementing and Evaluating Programs for Child Rights

October

• Video Editing Using an Open-Source Video Editing Software
• Business Concepts, Ideation, and the Business Plan
• What Makes an Entrepreneur?

• Understanding the Language of Business: Accounting Overview and Basic Financial Statements
• Basic Leadership and Management Competencies in the Workplace

December

• Rights of Nature