Looking to Upskill in 2026? UPOU MODeL Opens Free Online Courses for Learners

The University of the Philippines Open University’s MODeL platform announces its January to June 2026 schedule of free Massive Open Online Courses.

Filipinos looking to upskill or learn something new in 2026 can sign up for free online courses offered by the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) through its Massive Open and Distance eLearning (MODeL) platform.

UPOU has released its official calendar for January to June 2026, featuring 28 free, self-paced Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The courses are open to the public and can be taken anywhere, anytime.

The new lineup includes four newly offered courses focused on child development, climate services, and emerging digital skills. These are Practical Home Behavior Management for Children with Special Needs, Data Annotation for Aspiring BPO Professionals, Climate Information Services, and Internalizing Behaviors among Children and Practical Home Support.

January Courses

• Basics of Resilience
• Hazard and Risk Assessment Fundamentals

February Courses

• Practical Home Behavior Management for Children with Special Needs (new)
• Data Annotation for Aspiring BPO Professionals (new)
• Climate Information Services (new)
• Intercultural Communication Japan I: A Digitally Enhanced Approach

March Courses

• Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning
• Introduction to Open Distance eLearning
• Risk Analysis for Project Management
• Introduction to Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Agriculture in the ASEAN Region
• Strategies and Best Practices on Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Agriculture
• Policy Development and Governance Supporting Biodiversity in Agriculture
• Identifying the Red Flags of Developmental Delays
• Understanding the Child Better

April Courses

• Strategic Planning in Open Distance eLearning
• Teaching and Learning with Modern ICTs
• Legal Instruments for the Protection of Children
• Overview of Policies and Strategies for Climate and Disaster Resilience
• Resilience Strategies Across the Four Pillars

May Courses

• Quality Assurance in Open Distance eLearning
• Blended Teaching and Learning Using Open Educational Resources
• Online Mothers’ Class

June Courses

• Introduction to Open Distance eLearning
• Institutional Mechanism Towards Child Rights Protection and Promotion
• What Makes an Entrepreneur?
• Business Concepts, Ideation, and the Business Plan
• Learner Support in Open Distance eLearning
• Internalizing Behaviors among Children and Practical Home Support (new)

All courses are free, self-paced, and open to anyone who creates an account on the UPOU MODeL platform. Participants who complete a course can earn a 16-hour electronic certificate, which they can include in their resumes or professional portfolios.

How to Enroll in UPOU MODeL Free Courses

Interested learners can enroll by following these steps:

1. Visit the official UPOU MODeL website.
2. Click “Log In” to create a new account.
3. Fill out the registration form with your details. Use an active email address with enough storage to receive messages.
4. Check your email for the confirmation link. Due to the high number of users, confirmation emails may take up to three business days.
5. Confirm your account and log in.
6. Browse the homepage and select the course you wish to enroll in.

Self-enrollment usually opens two weeks before the course starts and remains available while the course is ongoing. Course schedules may change without prior notice. Courses for July to December 2026 will be announced separately.

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