RMIT expertise shapes future of online education in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training has partnered with RMIT to bring sector leaders and policymakers together to help guide the future of online education in the region.

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing a rapid shift to online learning globally, many Vietnamese institutions found themselves this year moving online for the first time.

Looking to the future, Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) drew on RMIT’s 20-year presence in the region, partnering to deliver the first in a series of events themed around online education.

RMIT offers world-class digital learning, partnering with industry thought leaders and experts to deliver flexible education.

This year, the university successfully transitioned over 5000 courses online globally in response to COVID-19 restrictions.

The first roundtable was held last week, with participants attending in person in Hanoi and joining virtually from Australia and Ho Chi Minh City.

Leaders from more than 20 universities and representatives from across the sector were in attendance.

Presenting virtually from Melbourne, RMIT Vice-Chancellor Martin Bean said the roundtable was a reflection of RMIT’s longstanding commitment to the region’s prosperity.

“We are pleased to offer our international leadership in education to Vietnam’s young people and lifelong learners alike as they embrace digital education,” he said.

“Together we can scale great heights for the future and turn the opportunity of digital education into a milestone moment for Vietnam.”

Also in attendance were key partners from Vietnam’s MOET, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and Victorian government agency Global Victoria.

RMIT recently partnered with TEQSA to deliver a six-part online webinar series for Australian education providers on transitioning to online learning.

RMIT Vietnam Chairman Professor Coloe said blended learning was ‘the new normal’ at RMIT and reinforced the importance of providing flexible and accessible study options for students.

“In an increasingly digital and connected world, online learning ensures education is made available to many more of Vietnam’s future leaders, wherever they are located,” Prof Coloe said.

Timed ahead of the new school year in Vietnam, the Hanoi roundtable was designed to stimulate ongoing discussion around digitally enhanced learning.

Vietnam Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha said the shifting landscape of global education was a challenge that would require collaboration across the sector.

“The Australian education sector is highly regarded globally, and we are pleased to bring this expertise to Vietnam to inform the future of online and digitally enhanced learning,” he said.

“I look forward to RMIT and Australia taking a leading role as Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training looks to accelerate developments in higher education, research and technology transfer into the future.”

The roundtable was part of the Vietnam Leads policy workshop series, hosted by RMIT Vietnam as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, and aims to contribute to policy discussion on key questions facing Vietnam and the region.

Technology Decisions – September 9, 2020