Vol 2 No 1 (2008) Research Development In Open and Distance learning

Pham Minh Viet

Abstract

The importance of open universities, distance learning and e-learning is well-known around the  world: In Vietnam, e-learning could play a crucial part in addressing the educational needs of a 80-million people economy that is growing over 8% a year; where only 20% of 1 million applicants to tertiary institutions find available seats. Realizing this, the Vietnamese  government has recently appointed Hanoi Open University (HOU) to head a consortium. which include Rochiminh City Open University. Post and Telecom Institute of Technology). Hue University and Hanoi      University of Pedagogy to develop and implement nationwide  e-learning programs.

With the CRC-TOPIC Business lncubator of Hanoi University of  Technology as advisor. HOU has developed a comprehensive Master Plan that coordinates efforts across institutional  levels (government agencies, universities, local branches, students) and across different media (online, on Radio or TV broadcast, offline CDs. prim-based textbooks or even mobile ,devices) HOU has also been proactive to fill  in: parts of the huge puzzle, with implementation projects such as TOPIC64-developing  community ICT training centers in 64-provinces. multimedia courseware development and implementation projects. Boston-Hanoi video e-learning

courses. bachelor's degree e-learning programs etc. It has entered  fruitful cooperation with corporations and institutions such as MIT. UK Open University, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Hewlett-Packard etc. These efforts has resulted in many early encouraging results, including a selection into the 7finalists of the prestigious Development Gateway Award 2006 from 160 projects worldwide.

This paper summarizes the current  situation, describes the planning and implementation activities, and analyzes the key principles that HOU is following in future  efforts.