PHILIPPINES: The University of the Philippines Open University is offering a free online course on AI from August 1 to 31, 2026. Registration is open to everyone through the MODeL platform. Learners who complete the course requirements can receive an electronic certificate. This is one of the 25 online courses available offered by the institution for Filipinos.
Filipinos can now enroll in a free online artificial intelligence course offered by the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU).
The course, AI Essentials: Theory and Practice, will run from August 1 to 31, 2026.
It is free, self-paced, and open to everyone, including people who are not UP students or graduates.
Learners who successfully complete the course requirements can also qualify for a free electronic certificate.
Free AI Course Opens in August
AI Essentials: Theory and Practice introduces the basic principles of artificial intelligence.
According to the official UPOU MODeL platform, the course covers key AI theories, practices, and applications.
It aims to give beginners a strong foundation before they move to more advanced AI topics.
Since the course is self-paced, participants can study based on their available time during the course period.
This setup may help OFWs, employees, jobseekers, students, teachers, business owners, and other learners with busy schedules.
However, participants must complete all required lessons and activities before the course closes on August 31.
Who Can Enroll in the AI Course?
The course is offered as a Massive Open Online Course or MOOC.
UPOU MOOCs are short online courses open to the public. Applicants do not need to take UPCAT or another entrance examination.
You also do not need to be enrolled in a degree program at UPOU.
Learners from the Philippines and other countries may register as long as they have internet access and an active email address.
No previous AI training was listed as a requirement. This makes the course suitable for beginners who want to understand how artificial intelligence works and how it may be used in different fields.
How to Create a UPOU MODeL Account
New learners must first create an account on the university’s MODeL website.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official UPOU MODeL website.
- Select “Log In.”
- Choose the option to create a new account.
- Complete the registration form using accurate personal details.
- Check the spelling of your name because it may appear on your certificate.
- Enter an active email address with enough inbox storage.
- Open the confirmation message from MODeL.
- Select the confirmation link and log in to your account.
- Find AI Essentials: Theory and Practice on the MODeL homepage.
- Open the course page and select the self-enrollment option.
Note: UPOU recommends using a Gmail address when creating an account. This may provide more reliable delivery of account messages.
Confirmation Email May Take Three Days
UPOU advised new users that account confirmation emails may be delayed because of the number of people visiting the platform.
The message may take up to three business days to arrive.
Applicants should check their spam, junk, and promotions folders before creating another account. They should also confirm that the email address entered during registration is correct.
Creating several accounts may make it harder to track course progress and certificate records.
Learners who need help may use “Openg,” the support chatbot available on the MODeL website.
Enrollment Is Already Open
Self-enrollment for the AI course is now available.
Existing MODeL users can log in and select the featured course from the homepage.
New users should register early because they may need to wait for their account confirmation message.
UPOU said self-enrollment normally opens about two weeks before a course begins. It usually remains available while the course is ongoing.
However, joining late will give a learner less time to complete the lessons and other requirements before August 31.
The latest dates and available subjects are listed in the official 2026 UPOU MOOC calendar.
How to Receive the Free Certificate
Registration alone does not automatically qualify a learner for a certificate.
Participants must complete the lessons, quizzes, assessments, and other activities required by the course.
Some activities may also need to be reviewed by the course coordinator before the learner’s progress is marked complete.
Successful learners may receive a free electronic certificate after the course ends. UPOU previously explained that certificates are provided to participants who complete its MOOCs.
The university also said its short online courses may normally be recorded on a résumé or curriculum vitae as 16 hours of training.
Important: Learners should use the same legal name throughout registration to avoid errors on the certificate.
UPOU MOOCs do not automatically carry Continuing Professional Development units. Licensed professionals should check with their Professional Regulation Commission board before claiming the training for CPD credit.
Part of UPOU’s Free 2026 Course Lineup
AI Essentials is part of UPOU’s free MOOC schedule for the second half of 2026.
UPOU announced 25 courses for July to December after completing 34 MOOCs during the first half of the year.
Other subjects include business, marketing, accounting, education, sustainability, Filipino language, child protection, and project management.
The current AI course should not be confused with a system-wide certificate program involving every UP campus. It is being offered by UP Open University, an autonomous university within the UP System and the country’s pioneer in online and distance education.
For those who want to begin studying AI without paying tuition, the August course provides a practical starting point and a certificate that can support their professional profile.
