On 21 April, OUM took part in the International Conference on Digital Economy at Hanoi Open University (HOU), one day before the OU5 Bi-Annual Summit. It brought together five open universities from across ASEAN to advance collaboration in digital education and research.
The 8-member OUM delegation was led by President/Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dato’ Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang, and included senior academic and administrative leaders representing key faculties and research units.
Advancing AI, education, and digital economy research
At the conference, Prof Dr Norjaya Mohd Yasin, Director of the Centre for Research & Innovation (CRI), delivered a plenary address titled “Reimagining Marketing in the AI Revolution.” Her presentation examined the practical realities behind AI adoption, highlighting both its transformative potential and the structural challenges faced by organisations.
Later, Prof Dr Nantha Kumar Subramaniam, Dean of the Faculty of Computing & Analytics, shifted the focus to teaching and learning innovation. He presented a case study on AI-assisted feedback in formative assessment, demonstrating how emerging technologies can enhance the quality and timeliness of student feedback in higher education.
OUM delegation at OU5 Summit
The delegation also included:
- Dr Suhaila Abdul Hamid – Director, Centre for Quality Assurance
- Assoc Prof Dr Hamidah Mat – Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
- Dr Norbaini Abdul Halim – Deputy Dean, Faculty of Business and Management
- Dr S. Vighnarajah P. K. Selvarajah – Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education
- Puan Ruhil Imal Mustafa – CRI Secretariat
The OU5 Bi-Annual Summit, hosted by HOU in Ha Long, Vietnam, brought together university leaders, coordinators, and researchers from five open universities: OUM (Malaysia), HOU (Vietnam), Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia), Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (Thailand), and University of the Philippines Open University (Philippines).
Key research directions for ASEAN open universities
At the Presidents’ Meeting, Prof Dr Norjaya shared key research insights, highlighting emerging directions for future higher education systems. The discussion concluded that universities of the future will be shaped by:
- Greater flexibility and inclusivity
- Stronger technological integration and industry partnerships
- Learner-centred and interdisciplinary pedagogies
OUM continues to actively drive regional research collaboration through several strategic projects under the OU5 network, including:
- AI and Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Learning (led by Prof Dr Nantha Kumar Subramaniam)
- Open Science and research productivity in open universities (Dr S. Vighnarajah P. K. Selvarajah)
- Cross-crediting and micro-credential models across OU5 institutions (Dr Suhaila Abdul Hamid)
- Social capital and knowledge sharing in digital learning platforms (Dr Norbaini Abdul Halim)
- Humanising AI and critical AI literacy among elderly learners in ASEAN (Assoc Prof Dr Hamidah Mat)
Looking ahead, OUM is also set to lead a future regional research initiative focusing on the role of the elderly in shaping ageing societies across ASEAN.
The next OU5 meeting will be hosted by Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia, in November 2026.
Stronger collaboration ahead
In his address at the summit, Prof Dato’ Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among OU5 partners, highlighting shared expertise, research exchange, and institutional growth.
He also noted OUM’s upcoming 30th Convocation next month, which will see approximately 7,000 new graduates, bringing the university’s alumni network to around 140,000. OUM currently serves about 40,000 active learners.
“Beyond research and publications, our collaboration can extend to student and staff mobility, as well as joint training initiatives. When we exchange ideas and experiences, we all grow stronger,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to HOU for its hospitality and to all OU5 partners for their continued commitment to regional academic collaboration.
The OU5 network continues to serve as a key platform for strengthening open and distance learning (ODeL) in ASEAN, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and shared academic excellence.
