[Unpad Media Channel] Universitas Padjadjaran, represented by the Head of the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation, attended the Research in Distance Education conference held by University of London’s The Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE). The conference took place at the University’s Senate House in England, on Thursday, March 14, and Friday, March 15.
Specifically, the conference was attended by Anne Nurbaity, M.P., Ph.D., acting as the Head of Unpad’s Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation and accompanied by the Coordinator of its IT and E-Learning Division, Mira Suryani, S.Pd., M.Kom.
In an interview with Unpad Media Channel, Anne revealed that the event also consisted of a series of other activities such as various workshops and discussions. Aside from that, the conference also posed an opportunity for Unpad to establish a partnership throughout the conference’s presentations and workshops.
Anne hoped that, after the conference, various collaborations could be carried out in the many aspects regarding the development of online and distance learning, either with the University of London or otherwise.
“The first thing we discussed was our intention of building a partnership in an effort to strengthen our human capital,” said Anne.
Aside from enhancing their human resources, Anne explained that the partnership in future could also benefit Unpad in the form of student exchange programs. Anne remained hopeful that there would one day be an Unpad student to be awarded the opportunity to study or conduct research there.
“God willing, we will begin gradually from what is most feasible for this year, although this will still become a long-term program considering Unpad’s similar goals to that of University of London’s,” said Anne.
She told of how the presentations at the conference were very interactive. For her, that experience inspired her to develop better and more interactive online learning methods in Unpad.
“This is what inspires us, we got to reflect on what has been done in Unpad and what we wish to do next. There were many good examples, I myself became more motivated to develop more advanced online learning in Unpad,” explained Anne.
The IT and E-Learning Division Coordinator, Mira, then added how the presentations and discussions were received with enthusiasm and appreciation, especially when concerning the project-based learning programs carried out by Unpad. She hoped that ,going forward, Unpad could establish a joint degree partnership where the study could be conducted online.
“This could establish Unpad as one of the teaching centers for CODE, and we could collaborate in joint degree endeavors, such as a double degree program. That way, students could become interested in the online learning while attaining a double degree,” she concluded. (arm/ICP)*
