Page 344 - Universitas Terbuka Center of Excellence In Asia 2010 and The World 2020 (A Journey Towards a Leading Open and Distance Education Institution 1984-2008)

initiated when the staff know each other and involved in joint research

projects or professional development.

10. Anticipation of possible problems in cooperation and partnership. Cooperation
and partnership between distance education institutions have potential
problems that should be anticipated. There should be problems to be

anticipated related to the language of instruction used, social and cultural

differences, and level of sophistication of technology in the each institution.
Most distance higher education institutions use the national language as the
language of instruction. It means that the printed materials and media use as

well support service are provided in national language.

International and inter-institutional cooperation between distance education
institutions is often time obstructed due to limited fund and budget. However,

as the prospect is mutually beneficial and constructive in the long term,

distance education institutions should consider developing a framework of
partnership . This kind of effort can be facilitated by international, regional or
multilateral organizations, such ICDE, UNESCO, SEAMOLEC , AAOU , as well

as other partners and institutions with the same interests and purposes, and

even national institutions.

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