Dear Colleagues,

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We would like to thank the panellists, moderators and colleagues from ASEAN and Australia who attended the AAED Webinar series, hosted in July and August. So far, we have presented: “Country update on Malaysia” and a sector update: “Quality Assurance in Online Learning (Higher Education Sector)”.

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In September we look forward to presenting a timely focus on ASEAN, with a sector Webinar: “ASEAN and Australian Perspectives on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)”. One of the regional responses to COVID-19 has been to place increasing importance on skills training and to ensure that young people emerge from the pandemic with more opportunities for meaningful employment. Our panel will address some of the issues impacting online delivery in the TVET sector.

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The recently launched Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) has placed Skills Training partnerships at the centre of the Indonesia Australia relationship. At the same time TVET is increasingly open for disruption.  Global giants such a Google are designing their own technical training courses offered at very competitive prices and linked and matched to employment outcomes.

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Micro credentials are being launched internationally to address the demand for lifelong learning by offering courses that are shorter, industry relevant and provide skills outcomes. Micro-credentials are available on online learning platforms such as Open Learning Limited, who have a regional presence in ASEAN and Australia and are partnering with Open Universities Australia to deliver a range of courses.

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This newsletter includes some interesting articles on ASEAN as well as a link to the online best practice resources that are being curated by Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). We were delighted to have TEQSA present at the last webinar. We have an update on international students waiting to enter Malaysia as well as a podcast from the ABC’s Saturday Extra radio program on Australia and South East Asia. Tony Milner the International Director at Asialink University of Melbourne makes the point on just how helpful it is for Australia to work closely with Southeast Asia, making us a much less of a “lonely” country.

 

Finally, AAED is proud to have been shortlisted for the prestigious PIEoneer of the Year 2020 - a Global Award by the PIE News.The virtual ceremony will be held in London in early October.

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Best wishes,

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MICHAEL FAY

Convenor

ASEAN-Australia Education Dialogue (AAED)

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