Presidents, researchers, and coordinators from the five open universities standing together for the OU5 Research Summit 2024.
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) hosted the second Open University 5 (OU5) Research Summit this year, held from 19-23 November 2024, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
In the elegant setting of the Dusit Thani Hotel, representatives from five open universities gathered to collaborate on facilitating research projects and strategizing upcoming research initiatives. The delegates are from the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Universitas Terbuka (UT), Open University Malaysia (OUM), Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), and Hanoi Open University (HOU).
On the first day, the event commenced with a performance by Guang Ming University, showcasing traditional dances such as Pandanggo Oasiwas, Pateado, and Tinikling. This was followed by welcoming remarks from all OU5 presidents: Prof. Dr. Melinda dP. Bandalaria, Chancellor (UPOU); Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., Rector (UT); Prof. Dr. Ahmad Izanee Awang, President (OUM); Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President (STOU); and Dr. Nguyen Minh Phuong, Vice President (representing President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Nhung) (HOU). The ceremony continued with an exchange of gifts as a gesture of appreciation and mutual respect, followed by group photo opportunities.
The formal interactions between the delegates were immediately followed by the first parallel session, which featured the 2024 Research Project Final Presentation and the 2025 Research Project Meeting. The 2024 Research Project Final Presentation was live-streamed and focused on themes such as quality education, artificial intelligence, sustainable industrialization, and promoting good mental health. The research topics presented were as follows:
- Inclusive Education: Providing Quality Education for All [Group 1]
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Digital Education [Group 2]
- Promoting Sustainable Industrialisation (SDG 9) in ASEAN Region (smart manufacturing, employability & decent work, green grown (SDG9) as the selected agenda) [Group 3]
- Counseling Services at OUs to Promote Good Mental Health in ASEAN [Group 4]
- Preserving ASEAN Culture in Digital Age [Group 5]
The second parallel session featured the Presidents’ Meeting and the continuation of the 2025 Research Project Meeting. In a separate boardroom, the presidents discussed various topics, including the progress of the 2024 research projects; the nomination of research topics and titles for 2026; updates on the AAOU Quality Assurance Framework by the AAOU Accreditation Board; microcredentials and MOOCs presented by UPOU; the numbering of OU5 meetings by STOU; scheduling the next OU5 meeting in Malaysia by Prof. Izanee; and other matters.
From left to right, the leaders of the five open universities: Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda (STOU), Dr. Nguyen Minh Phuong (HOU), Dr. Jean Saludadez, representing Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria (UPOU), Prof. Dr. Ahmad Izanee Awang (OUM), and Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D. (UT)
The second day of the research summit began with the continuation of the 2025 Research Project Meeting. Following this, Dr. Jean Saludadez, UPOU Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, presented the outcomes of the meaningful discussions held by the presidents on the first day.
This was followed by the reporting of the five groups, each comprising one member from each open university. The 2025 research projects are as follows:
- Technology Trends in Education: Nano Learning, Authentic Online Assessment, Gamification, Blockchain and Others (and How AI Will Impact These Technologies) [Group 1]
- Open University Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future: A Design in View of Fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal 11 [Group 2]
- Roles of ASEAN Open Universities in Enhancing Entrepreneurship and Global Presence [Group 3]
- Roles of Open Universities in STEM Education (Way Forward with a Focus on the State of Gender Equality in ASEAN) [Group 4]
- Student-Lecturer Ratio as a Parameter of Quality in Online Flexible Distance Learning Context (What Are the Factors that Determine the Quality of Open Universities?) [Group 5]
The presidents of STOU and OUM, Dr. Panomphat Smitananda and Prof. Dr. Ahmad Izanee Awang respectively, were called to announce the next OU5 meetings, which will be hosted by their respective universities next year. To formally close the event, UPOU Chancellor Bandalaria delivered the closing remarks.
The OU5 Research Summit 2024 was made possible through the contributions and support of the UP System and the UP Office of International Linkages. It was organized by Asst. Prof. Margaret Jarmin-Suarez, Program Development Associate for Institutional Linkages, and the UPOU Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, with documentation assistance provided by the UPOU Center for Open and Digital Teaching and Learning – Educational Media Production.
UPOU representatives alongside leaders from the five open universities.
Written by Alexil Cheska T. Fajardo ♦ Edited by Margaret Jarmin- Suarez and Yasele Irene Angela Yambao ♦ Contributed by OVCAA
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