“UPOU gave me the space to expand — to be a student after work, to be a mother on weekends, and to be a social worker every day.” University of the Philippines Open University alumna and Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Janet Armas addressed the Class of 2025 at UPOU’s commencement ceremonies. Speaking as a former working mother–student, she recalled finding in UPOU “a learning environment built for those who juggled responsibilities and struggled with finances,”