News FY 2023

The 10^th OUJ-OUC-KNOU International Seminar (13th to 14th September, 2023)

The 10^th OUJ-OUC-KNOU International Seminar was held at the headquarters of the Open University of Japan (OUJ) from September 13th to 14th, focusing on the main theme “Distance Education in the Post-COVID Era”. Five delegates from the Open University of China (OUC), led by Vice President Ms. Liu Xuanxuan, and six delegates from the Korea National Open University (KNOU), led by President Prof. Songhwan KO, were among the participants of the seminar.

The seminar was initiated in 2009 among OUJ, OUC, and KNOU to share and discuss their experiences regarding issues and challenges faced by universities in order to explore solutions and promote the further development of distance education, and had been held regularly until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the seminar’s 10^th annual meeting, originally scheduled in 2020, was eventually realized after a three-year postponement.

On the first day of the seminar (September 13), a welcome reception was hosted by OUJ for the seminar participants at the Hotel Springs in Makuhari. It provided an opportunity for the participants from the three universities to strengthen relationships and enhance collaboration.

Sessions commenced on the 14th with opening remarks by President Prof. Iwanaga, followed by Vice President Ms. Liu and President Prof. Ko. There were six presentations in two sessions, as follows:

[Session 1] Sub-Theme: From Perspectives of Learner Support and Educator Support

• Prof. Gu Xiaohua, OUC
  “ Transformation and Upskilling of Teachers in the Post-Pandemic Distance Education ”
• Prof. Yeongmin Kwon, KNOU
  “ What we’ve gained and what we’ve lost ”
• Prof. Tatsumi Takeo, OUJ
  “ Python Coding Education for Adults Through Distance Learning ”

[Session 2] Sub-Theme: Our Experiences during the COVID Pandemic and Future Prospects

• Prof. Kwang Sik Chung, KNOU
  “ Learning Analytics Sharing Platform for Shared Learning Contents on Learning Cloud ”
• Mr. Wang Guochuan(Writer) , Dr. Liu Caimei(Presenter), OUC
  “ OUC Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Future Prospects ”
• Prof. Li Ming, OUJ
  “ My Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Future Prospects ”

For the details of each presentation, please visit below;

• The 10^th OUJ-OUC-KNOU International Seminar

After the second session Vice President of OUJ Prof. Tooru Hayasi concluded the discussion of the seminar, and Ms. Liu Xuanxuan, the Vice President of OUC, presented information about the 11th International Seminar, which will be held in Beijing next year. With this announcement, the two-day seminar came to a successful close.

Delegation from National Open University (Taiwan)

On July 12^th and 13^th, a delegation of six members led by Associate Professor Hong Wenting, Head of the Department of Liberal Arts, from the National Open University (NOU), with which our university has a cooperative agreement for many years, visited our university.

On the morning of the 12^th, the delegation visited the Tokyo Bunkyo Study Center. Professor Takeshi Tatsumi provided an overview of OUJ’s courses and program outlines. After his introduction, they were guided by General Manager, Mr. Takashi Anse, around the facilities of the center, such as lecture rooms, laboratories, and etc.

On the 13^th, the delegation visited the Makuhari Headquarters, where they received a detailed explanation about the ongoing overseas learning monitor survey from Vice President Prof. Tooru Hayasi, Head of the International Committee Prof. Naruo Nikoh, and Prof. Tatsumi.

Subsequently, a courtesy visit was arranged with President Prof. Iwanaga and Vice President Prof. Hayasi, during which an exchange of commemorative gifts took place. Following this courtesy visit, a luncheon was held, with President Iwanaga also in attendance, providing an opportunity for further discussion.

In the afternoon, the delegation toured the master control room and the studio, as well as the facilities related to online courses.

We hope that both universities will continue to strengthen relationship, leading to substantial exchanges in the future.

Visit of the Delegation from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

On June 9^th, a delegation from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), with which our university has a collaborative agreement for many years, visited our Makuhari headquarters. The STOU delegation consisted of Acting President Associate Professor Manit Jumpa, Acting Vice President Assistant Professor Gan Chanyawudhiwan, and Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson.

The visit began with an overview presentation by Associate Professor Yasuhiko Tsuji, who provided information on the academic programs, the distance education system, and other aspects of the OUJ. Following the presentation, the delegation toured the master control room and the studio, as well as the facilities related to online courses.

A courtesy visit was then made to President Prof. Masaya Iwanaga and Vice President Prof. Tooru Hayasi, where both universities exchanged commemorative gifts as a symbol of cooperative relationships. Subsequently, a luncheon was held for the delegation by President Prof. Iwanaga. Prof. Hayasi, Assoc. Prof. Tsuji, and the members of the International Affairs Section also attended it. It provided another opportunity for fruitful discussions on the initiatives of both universities.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Chiba Study Center, guided by Director Yoko Kataoka and General Manager Toshinori Shikakura to observe the lecture rooms, laboratories, and other facilities.

We hope that this visit will contribute to further enhancing the collaboration and exchange between the OUJ and STOU in the future.