Dr. Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria, Chancellor and Professor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), represented the Philippines in the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Network of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Stakeholders’ Forum 2020 held last 17 December 2020. The Stakeholders’ Forum 2020 was organized by the Thailand Cyber University (TCU), Thailand with the theme, “Envisioning future MOOC: the Pride, the Promise, the New Norm of Reality, and the Future.” .
In her speech, Chancellor Bandalaria presented the lifelong learning through MOOC, tackling the pride; the promise; and the norm for the learning of the future. She also discussed the increased number of MOOC enrollees at UPOU in this time of COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that this shows the relevance of flexible mode of learning at this time of crisis.
Other speakers were Mr. Jung Goohun and Mr. Jaehyun Kwon (Korea); Professor Yasushi Kodama (Japan); Assoc Prof. Thapanee Thammetar, Ph.D., Assoc Prof. Jintavee Khlaisang, ED. and Assist Prof Anuchai Theeraroungchaisri, Ph.D. (Thailand); and Dr. Aishah Binti Abu Bakar (Malaysia). Mr. Varasuang Duangchinda from Thailand served as the moderator.
The purpose of the meeting is to promote sharing of all knowledge and practices relating to ASEM MOOC Stakeholder and related educational institutions in international level, to enhance sustainability of network and project among partner countries of ASEM MOOC. Due to the current pandemic situation, the forum was held in a hybrid format, both online via Zoom and on-site at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
The UPOU as the pioneer and leading institution in open and distance e-learning (ODeL) in the Philippines and in the Region has been an active partner of ASEM.
Written by Phoebe May May Apostol
Edited by Joane V. Serrano and Anna Canas-Llamas
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