Officials at the International Conference on Online Education 2019 in HCM City on March 15. – VNA Photo Anh Tuan
Online education is crucial to making education more accessible and will be key to preparing for a digital future, speakers said at the International Conference on Online Education 2019 (ICOE 2019) held in HCM City on March 15.
According to Professor Vu Huu Duc, vice principal of HCM City Open University, the conference was held to create a forum for scholars and experts in the field of online education to exchange opinions about development trends, opportunities and challenges in Viet Nam and in the world.
Professor Nita Temmerman from Australia's University of Southern Queensland said online education provides flexibility and convenience for learners.
Enrolment in online degree courses around the world is increasing by 30 to 35 per cent each year, while the online corporate market is growing by 10 to 15 per cent annually as career professionals are attracted to online upskilling options.
Developers and deliverers of online education, however, must ensure that sound pedagogical practises are offered by qualified educators, Temmerman said.
Institutional quality assurance, support structures, and supportive government policies are necesssary, she added.
Speaking at the conference, Professor Dong Sun Park from Korea's APEC Human Resources Development Working Group, said that online education was important for "harnessing inclusive opportunities, embracing the digital future", the official theme for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting last year.
To help the theme become a reality, the ICOE 2019, which was held for the first time in HCM City, and other online education illustrative initiatives in other countries are providing advice and examples of online experiences, Park said.
Online education first appeared in Viet Nam 10 to 12 years ago, and has risen in demand. It was formally recognised by the Ministry of Education and Training in 2012.
The conference was held by the HCM City Open University, with attendance of ministry officials and leading experts from top universities and educational organisations around the world. — VNS