Page 11 - Open and Distance Education In Asia : Good Practice From AAOU Members

Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) ix

Although not all DE providers are open and initiatives. Therefore, adult and working
universities, but the role of OUs in Asia’s DE people frequently make up the majority of
is undeniable. OUs have provided access to OU students. One extreme instance is the
higher education to millions of Asian people. graduation of a student at the age of 93
The 47 full members of the Asian Association from Universitas Terbuka (also known as
of Open Universities (AAOU) alone have UT, Indonesia Open University). However,
more than 10 million students dispersed the demographics of the student body have
throughout more than 20 countries recently shifted, with a rise in the proportion
(AAOU Full Membership, 2022). The and quantity of younger students (Kawachi,
AAOU, established in 1987, is a non-profit Sharma, & Mishra, 2006).
association of institutions of higher education
that focuses on open and distance learning. Prior to the advent of the internet, OU services
It aspires to enhance educational access for were offered to students via pre-produced
all people in Asia and elevate the standard printed materials (supplemented with audio/
for institutions in terms of management, video materials), in-person services including
instruction, and research related to face-to-face tutorials, as well as pencil-
education. It promotes the development of and-paper tests. This is why the majority
open and distance education opportunities, of OUs stand out by having a Head Office
works with government agencies and others equipped with production and distribution
that are directly or indirectly engaged in DE, facilities, which are uncommon for campus
and supports collaboration with other similar facilities in traditional institutions, as well
regional and worldwide organizations (AAOU as a network of regional offices or learning
website, 2022). The members of AAOU are centers in the regions where they operate.
working together on a number of initiatives As illustrations, the Indira Gandhi Open
to increase the usage of DE and open University (IGNOU) has 56 regional centers,
education. Most importantly, by sharing their 11 recognized regional centers, and almost
knowledge and experiences through AAOU, 2,000 learner support centers across India ;
1
members are able to contribute to the Asia the Bangladesh Open University (BOU) has
DE’s steady transition to more contemporary 12 regional centers, 80 regional centers, and
DE methods. 1,550 study centers ; the Open University of
2
China (OUC) has 45 provincial branches and
Since improving educational access was one of 3,735 study centres ; and UT has 39 regional
3
the primary drivers behind the establishment offices, 1 overseas student center, 70 learning
of an open university, the majority of OUs in centers, and around 1000 learning group
Asia follow the concept and principles of open points (which are independently formed and
education. They provide everyone access to managed by students’ study group) .
4
their systems, irrespective of their age, place
of residence, or level of income. It is clear 1. IGNOU’s website at http://www.ignou.ac.in/
that the vast majority of OUs encourage and 2. ignou/aboutignou/regional/about
BOU’s website at http://www.bouresult.info/php/
enable lifelong learning through their policies rc-src.html
3. OUC website at http://en.ouchn.edu.cn/index.
php/about-v2/brief-introduction1
4. Internal information from the office of Vice Rector
for Institutional Development and Partnerships

Introduction