Industry leaders of Open Distance Learning Institutions meet
SUBANG JAYA: Asia eUniversity (AeU) and Commonwealth of Learning (COL) co-hosted a two-day International High Level Roundtable Conference for Open Distance Learning Institutions (ODL) at Holiday Villa Hotel and Conference Centre, Subang Jaya on 10 and 11 May 2018.
A total of 31 dignitaries, industry global leaders, policy-makers and academic practitioners, from 20 countries came and participated. Besides North America, Europe and the Oceanic countries, the majority came from Asia and SubSaharan Africa countries.
Distinguished delegates from the Commonwealth of Learning were Professor Asha Singh Kanwar, president and CEO and Professor Romeela Mohee, Education Specialist, Higher Learning.
The Conference included a leadership workshop and information sharing to explore strategies, solutions to challenges and networking. Participants shared the advancements and their impact on Open distance and Lifelong learning.
Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim, Asia eLearning Sdn. Bhd. director and Board of Governors, in his opening speech said: “AeU is now embarking on becoming a digital university, leveraging on artificial intelligence, big data analytics and mobile platforms. AeU plans to offer a completely new learning experience using the latest education technologies to launch its first completely mobile global MBA together with Oxademy of UK. It is an affordable MBA requiring minimum investments. I urge the Open Universities here to venture into new opportunities to increase international collaborations.” Professor Asha, in her keynote address, talked about ‘Leadership and Innovation for the Future of Open Distance Learning (ODL)’ and ‘ODL as Disruptive Innovation.’ She elaborated that people and institution culture are critical to drives innovation. The way forward is to invest in the 3 Ps: Philosophy, People and Processes.
The first session kick started with each delegate sharing one story of best practices he/she has introduced in his/her respective institution.
Other key presentation areas in the following sessions were “Leading with Influence and Power”, “Strategic Planning” and “Motivating Teams towards Delivering Results”, Digital Transformation Strategy for Today’s Universities”, and “The Student Journey and how Technology can Support the Moments that Matter”. The speakers include Dr. Roshan Thiran, Founder/CEO of Leaderonomics Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia; Professor Mandala Stanley Makhanya, ViceChancellor, University of South Africa; and Syed Shazad, Oxademy Business School, UK.
At the end of the sessions, president/CEO of AeU, Professor Dato’ Dr Ansary Ahmed, in his closing speech concluded: “There’s little difference now between ODL universities and conventional universities with various modes of programme deliveries. ODL institutions, being the early disruptors to conventional learning are now being disrupted. It is imminent that to stay competitive, one must continuously innovate and tap into the latest technologies to reduce cost of education.”