OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING FOR HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT: PROPELLING ASIA FORWARD
The mission to develop human capital capable of making a positive impact on national progress is firmly linked to higher education. Universally considered a focal element that is greatly influenced by globalisation, international competition and the rapid evolution of information and communicati...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Published: |
2013
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/916/1/library-document-916.pdf http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/916/ |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | The mission to develop human capital capable of making a positive
impact on national progress is firmly linked to higher education.
Universally considered a focal element that is greatly influenced by
globalisation, international competition and the rapid evolution of
information and communication technology, higher education is
especially crucial in Asia, where creating access for people to obtain
university degrees is often mired by limited resources and facilities,
especially in less developed settings. However, alternative approaches to
higher education, such as that offered by open and distance learning
(ODL), are now recognised as a means for a more accessible, affordable
and flexible pathway towards better opportunities for university degrees
and ultimately, for boosting human capital and the economy. Asia has
proven true to its robust and dynamic reputation; a region that is home
to some of the world’s oldest open universities, many of which were
established to provide learning opportunities to working adults. Today,
the Asian ODL environment continues to evolve and the ODL approach is
well accepted across the region. By meeting workforce-related
educational needs, these developments clearly indicate ODL’s potential
to contribute to human capital development and national progress. This
paper will briefly review the current ODL scene in Asia and discuss how
open universities can further contribute to human capital development.
This paper will also explore several key issues related to ODL and
economic progress, such as lifelong learning and international
collaboration, and how these will be an imperative for Asian countries to
move forward in a competitive and borderless world. |
|---|