Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of Hamdan Bin Mohammed
e-University (HBMeU), H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, inaugurated today
(Tuesday, November 13, 2012) the International Council for Open and
Distance Education Standing Conference of Presidents 2012 (ICDE SCOP
2012), a first-of-its-kind gathering in the Arab region that is being
attended by 150 presidents of open and distance learning universities
from around the world.
This year’s conference also marks the 74th
anniversary of the International Council for Open and Distance
Education (ICDE). To mark this occasion, Prof. Tian Belawati, President
of ICDE and Rector of the Indonesian Open University has announced a
global campaign, starting from Dubai, to further promote e-learning.
ICDE is a network of 100 educational institutions worldwide working to
promote open and distance learning, and provide opportunities for
exchange of educational best practices.
The ICDE SCOP 2012 kicked
off at the HBMeU headquarters in Dubai Academic City with an opening
address by H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police
Chief and Chairman of HBMeU's Board of Governors. The Conference is
being held under the theme ‘Open and Distance Education (ODE): Barriers,
Opportunities & Strategies Forward’ to discuss major challenges and
obstacles regarding the implementation of open and distance learning
from both an international and regional perspective. It will also
explore opportunities ODE provides in helping countries overcome
socio-economical challenges and will provide insights into successful
strategies for advocacy of ODE. The meeting places particular focus on
the latest trends and developments in ODE, including Open Educational
Resources, quality and regulatory framework, among others.
The
opening day featured speeches by Dr. Laurence F. Johnson, Chief
Executive Office of the New Media Consortium and Dr. Badr Aboul-Ela,
Director of the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Ministry of
Higher Education and Scientific Research, U.A.E Vice-President of the
Arab Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education
(ANQAAHE).
The first day also featured an extensive discussion on the
topic "Does ODE offer a viable alternative to residential education?"
moderated by UAE-based media professional Omar Obaid Bin Butti, who
highlighted the differences between open and distance learning, and
residential learning. Dr. Meg Benke, Acting President, Office of the
President, Empire State College, State University of New York, USA, also
participated in the session, along with Prof. Mandla Makhanya, Vice
Chancellor, University of South Africa, Prof. Anja Oskamp, Rector, Open
University Netherlands, and Prof. Tolly Mbwette, Vice Chancellor, Open
University of Tanzania.
H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim noted that ICDE SCOP 2012, the 19th
edition of the global event that is being held for the first time in
the Arab world, serves as a fitting event to commemorate the 10th
anniversary of HBMeU and underline the level of success that the
University has achieved. One of the key objectives of ICDE SCOP 2012 is
to approve its strategic plan for 2013-2016. The conference also serves
as an ideal platform to conduct extensive discussions on the
opportunities and challenges related to open and distance learning in
the Middle East, and developing effective strategies to deploy the
e-learning concept on a global scale.
"As a leading institution in
the field of e-learning, HBMeU is committed to promote academic
excellence by building effective channels for communication, and
exchange of ideas and experiences with different open and distance
learning academic institutions worldwide. This will enable us to
establish new standards that will further enhance the quality of
e-learning and strengthen its role as a pillar for overall development
in the Middle East and around the world. Over the last 10 years, HBMeU
has been able to complement the vision of UAE’s leaders, to achieve
sustainable development and join the global race by adopting innovative
learning practices,” he added.
Prof. Tian Belawati, President of
ICDE and Rector of the Indonesian Open University, expressed her
pleasure that SCOP 2012 is being held in the Middle East, which is an
important step in strengthening the role of open and distance learning
as one of the solid foundations of academic excellence in the Arab world
and the world in general. Belawati also recognized the efforts of HBMeU
in ensuring the success of this first-of-its-kind event in the Arab
world, and highlighted the commitment of all stakeholders to implement
the recommendations developed during the Conference, which continues to
serve as an ideal venue for exchanging experiences in open and distance
learning.
The International Council for Open and Distance
Education Standing Conference of Presidents 2012 has been a source of
recommendations and initiatives that strengthen the channels of
communication between major academic institutions specialized in
electronic, open and distance learning worldwide. It also facilitates a
healthy exchange of information and discussions concerning strategies,
while also covering political trends in its continuing pursuit of a
solid framework that cultivates a culture of lifelong learning.
Source:http://www.albawaba.com
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