The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI), proudly announces the official approval of the Master of Climate and Disaster Resilience (MCDR) Program by the UP Board of Regents during its 1405th meeting held on 29 January 2026.

Chancellor Joane V. Serrano, together with FMDS Dean Finaflor F. Taylan, Secretary to the Faculty Lloyd Lyndel P. Simporios, support staff, and the proponents of MCDR

The MCDR is a 34-unit, fully online graduate degree program designed to equip practitioners, planners, administrators, and educators involved in resilience work with interdisciplinary knowledge and applied skills for advancing climate and disaster resilience. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program directly advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by expanding access to specialized, graduate-level training in climate and disaster resilience. It also supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through its focus on risk-informed planning, local governance, and community resilience, as well as SDG 13 (Climate Action) by strengthening capacities for climate adaptation, mitigation, and evidence-based decision-making. In addition, selected elective courses engage with broader sustainability priorities, contributing to related goals such as SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

On 16 February 2026, representatives from the UPOU and UPRI convened to discuss the upcoming launch of the Master of Climate and Disaster Resilience (MCDR) program on the last day of the UPOU anniversary week celebration.

The MCDR program will be formally launched on 27 February 2026 at 9:15 AM  at the International Convention Center (ICC), UPOU, as part of the University’s 31st anniversary celebration. Participants may scan the QR code provided to access the Zoom credentials for the event.

Applications for admission to the program will open for the First Semester of the Academic Year 2026-2027. Further details about the program, admission requirements, and application procedures will be announced through the official UPOU Admissions website at https://www.upou.edu.ph/admissions/. Please stay tuned for updates.

Written by: Dona Lyn Piamonte and Dina Mae Rejano |• Edited by: Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals