The Office of Continuing Education (OCE) serves as the coordinating unit for the development, implementation, and promotion of continuing and non-degree education programs of the University of the Philippines Manila. The Office supports colleges and academic units in the design of learning initiatives aligned with professional development, community engagement, and lifelong learning.

OCE oversees a wide range of non-degree programs and microcredentials, the office also provides technical and administrative assistance to ensure quality, consistency, and accessibility in course delivery. Its services include program coordination, instructional and multimedia support, digital learning facilitation, and marketing of launched NDCEAs and Microcredential courses.

Key accomplishments include the expansion of microcredential offerings through online learning platforms, enabling flexible participation of learners from diverse sectors and locations. The Office also manages large-scale collaborative projects with partner agencies, implementing multiple sub-programs through fully online modalities. These initiatives demonstrate OCE’s capacity to support innovative, technology-enabled education and to respond to emerging training needs.

Through continuous improvement and institutional collaboration, OCE remains committed to strengthening the University’s role in continuing education and professional learning.

Dr. Lenora C. Fernandez, MSc

The Office of Continuing Education (OCE) was originally part of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód until July 31, 2006, when then Chancellor Dr. Arcadio issued a mandate formally separating the two offices immediately. Following this separation, the OCE was placed under the supervision of the National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences. The office was designated as the primary unit responsible for overseeing continuing education programs across the University of the Philippines Manila, serving as manager and coordinator and assisting colleges and academic units in promoting their non-degree and lifelong learning offerings.

Over the years, the Office of Continuing Education steadily expanded its scope and operations. By 2025, it was managing a total of 126 non-degree continuing education activities, reflecting its growing role in supporting professional development and continuing learning initiatives within the University. In the same year, the OCE further broadened its reach by introducing microcredential programs through OpenLearning, enabling the delivery of courses through a more flexible and accessible learning modality for students and professionals both locally and internationally. This initiative was launched under the project name iSKOLAR+, marking a significant step toward digital and global engagement in continuing education.

The year 2026 marked a major turning point in the institutional development of the Office of Continuing Education. During this period, the office began its transition into a standalone unit, separate from the National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences, under which it had previously been organized. This transition signified the growing recognition of the OCE’s expanding mandate and strategic importance within the University’s academic and extension functions. In the same year, the OCE also undertook the management of the CHED HUSAY BEACON program in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education, consisting of twelve sub-programs delivered through the OpenLearning platform. This milestone highlighted the office’s increasing capacity to implement large-scale, multi-component programs and reinforced its role as a key driver of continuing and digital education initiatives in the University.

Mission
The Office of Continuing Education is committed to advancing lifelong learning by developing, managing, and promoting high-quality, accessible, and responsive continuing education programs in health sciences and allied fields. The Office of Continuing Education supports the academic units of the University of the Philippines Manila by facilitating non-degree, microcredential, and professional development initiatives that uphold academic excellence, foster innovation in digital learning, and respond to the evolving needs of professionals, communities, and partner institutions locally and globally.

Vision
To establish University of the Philippines Manila as the premier continuing education provider in health sciences and allied fields, renowned for excellence throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia

Excellence

The Office of Continuing Education upholds the highest standards of academic quality, integrity, and professional competence in all of its continuing education programs, projects, activities, and services.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

The Office of Continuing Education believes in and promotes equitable access to quality learning opportunities through flexible modes of delivery, including digital and microcredential platforms, to ensure education is available to diverse groups of learners across locations and backgrounds.

Innovation

The Office of Continuing Education embraces forward-thinking approaches in program design, technology integration, and digital engagement, and flexible learning to continuously enhance learning experiences.