Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Chancellor and current President of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), delivered a keynote message to more than 130 participants in a policy forum which focused on Building Lifelong Learning Models in Hanoi, Vietnam on 19-20 April 2018.
In Chancellor Bandalaria’s recorded video message, she discussed the role of training institutions, such as the UPOU, in building learning cities, as well as practical experiences rooted in the Philippine education system. An open forum was held after other representatives from Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Korea, and Thailand delivered their messages. Participants were able to ask their questions in the forum conducted through an online video conference set-up. The forum also came up with recommendations as to policy formation and plans for building learning cities in Vietnam.
Spearheaded by the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Hanoi Open University, the forum was held to discuss the development of learning cities through lifelong learning and training. This goal is also in line with the regional project initiated by Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Centre for Lifelong Learning (SEAMEO CELL) and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) — “Toward a lifelong learning agenda is Southeast Asian countries.”
The forum is part of a series of in-country policy forums conducted within the framework of the regional project. Especially with the expected output of the project, the SEA Learning online portal, which includes a database of e-learning materials from around the region, the development of learning cities through lifelong learning and training institutions is anticipated in the region in the years to come. (AMFlores)
