Online learning makes links in Vietnam

Vietnam is gradually developing a range of quality online university courses, a Vietnamese ICT expert told the Sixth International Conference on Information Technology for Education 2010 (IT@EDU

The development of e- Universities was essential for Vietnam to keep up globally in the era of  integration and globalization, Do Phuc, Dean of Faculty of Information Systems and director of Center of E-learning Technology and Education said at the conference at Reunification Palace, 35 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, HCMC’s District 1.

In developed countries, e-university learning was well established such as at UK e-University, Korea Cyber University, University of Southern Queensland in Australia and MIT University in the U.S., the conference heard.

In Vietnam, some universities are in the early stages with this model but University of Information Technology has been the pioneer of online courses.

Phuc said, “The e-university model contributes to change and growth of higher education in Vietnam as it improves teaching, intensifies the training through the use of IT and communication as well as enlivens research.”

He said the preparation needed for an e-university was complex and time consuming.

Vietnam would need to train professional staff for online teaching, build network infrastructure, develop software systems and information resources such as e-textbooks, e-libraries, e-research and data centers. The e-university is different from normal universities because it needs a far stronger IT applications in the management of teaching and learning.

E-learning also will help Vietnamese students be more active, dynamic learners and give them opportunities for self-study through improved access to information, he said.

The conference will continue on Friday in Phan Thiet University in Phan Thiet City.