Page 46 - Open and Distance Education In Asia : Good Practice From AAOU Members

26 OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATON IN ASIA
Good Practices from AAOU Members

web-based psychometric profiling system and socio-economic changes requiring
to provide analysis and focused remedial dynamic changes to curriculum design,
solutions as one of the OUM’s support pedagogical approaches, use of technology
services (Md Ninggal et al., 2020). The smart in education (online delivery, assessment and
system will consist of several psychological environment), smart governing systems and
assessment tools to provide evidence-based an insight to future skills. OUM is privileged
data about our learners. to have established a regional network with
other open universities: Universitas Terbuka
At national level, open universities in the Indonesia, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open
country face other common challenges. University, University of Philippines Open
One challenge that require a collective voice University, and Hanoi Open University.
concern quality assurance that also involve Current work initiated at the network to
ranking and rating criteria that designed for conceptualise ‘university of the future’.
conventional universities. A common voice
and presence in consultations on education The connected world that we live today
policies and guidelines with government creates an opportunity to exist in a
agencies is also needed. Government borderless platform that enable a much
support in the realisation of access to more efficient resource sharing. At the same
education for all (particularly those below time, it also enables global societies to work
certain income as well as those in rural collectively and effectively in mitigating
communities is important. In addition, a global crisis including climate change. In
joint voice will also give the universities a such world, as open universities we have
stronger voice in forming supportive linkage the social responsibility and opportunity
with other economics sectors, particularly to create knowledge sharing programmes
with financial institutions. OUM is certainly and other measures to help to create an
appreciative of government initiative equitable education. In this, OUM is working
through the National Digital Infrastructure on new research initiatives in creating
Lab (NDIL) in the formation of the National social innovations that would enable and
Digital Network Plan (Jalinan Digital Negara support a wider access and through strategic
known as JENDELA) in 2020 under the theme knowledge sharing programmes. One that it
Coverage for All. The plan sets targets for has started to promote is literacies for 21
st
2022 (Phase I), and 2025 (Phase II) in order century. Phase I of the literacy knowledge
to ensure access to internet and technology dissemination webinar was organised in July
infrastructure supporting connectivity is 2022. It focused on English language literacy,
available for all. numeracy, information literary, digital
literacy, and media literacy. The second
Likewise, the open universities in the phase planned for January 2023 would
ASEAN region face common challenges focus on health, environmental, civic, and
and opportunities. Together the open financial literacies along with globalisation.
universities are adapting to rapid growth The organising team is also hoping to include

Open University Malaysia (OUM)