(L-R) Prof. Maria Ruth M. Regalado, Dr. Aurora B. Fulgencio, Ms. Anh Tran, Dr. Maria Jhona B. Acuña, Mr. Khau Huu Phuoc, Dr. Celia M. Ilanan, Ms. Lan Huong, Prof. Dominador D. Mangao, and Dr. Rafael V. Panganiban

Faculty members from the College of Flexible Learning and ePNU (CFlex) and College of Graduate Studies and Teacher Education Research (CGSTER) conducted Academic Visits and Collaboration Conversations on Lifelong Learning in Vietnam on May 30-June 2, 2023. The PNU delegation headed by Dr. Celia M. Ilanan, CFlex Dean, visited the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Lifelong Learning (SEAMEO CELLL) and Ho Chi Minh City Open University (HCMC-OU), both in Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES) in Hanoi.

Dr. Le Thi My Ha, SEAMEO CELLL Director, and Mr. Khau Huu Phuoc, Research and Training Manager, welcomed the PNU team and presented opportunities in promoting lifelong learning cooperation among educational institutions of SEAMEO member countries. The conversations included the possibility of forging a partnership focused on conducting joint efforts to further lifelong learning through research, training, materials development, and information dissemination support.

Prof. Dr. Nguyan Trong Hoa, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Open University, and Dr. Le Thai Thuong Quan, Manager of Cooperation and Science Management, met the PNU delegation for academic exchange and dialogue. The discussion focused on the curriculum and delivery of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning at HCMC-OU, particularly on modern online management systems, designing programs and models in accordance with international quality standards, transfer of print to online teaching materials, cooperation/collaboration with PNU on research, and online training best practices.

The PNU team with Ms. Lan Huong, Vice President Prof. Dr. Le Nguyen Quoc Khang, Dr. Le Thai Thuong Quan, Vice-Director Dr. Hua Van Duc, Vice-director Nguyen Ngoc Thong, Mr. Bui Do Cong Thanh.

The PNU delegation also visited Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES) where they were welcomed by Mr. Do Duc Lan, Deputy Director of the Scientific Development, Training and International Cooperation Department. The organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and the function of VNIES as an agency under the ministry was explained by Prof. Le An Vinh, Director General. The two (2) groups discussed future partnerships and collaboration, especially in the areas of teaching in the university level, training of implementers of Alternative Learning in Community Learning Centers (CLCs), training of trainers on assessment, and research projects on issues in continuing education/lifelong learning and building learning societies.

The academic visit with key institutions on lifelong learning in Vietnam resulted in considerable gains through possible collaboration and partnership in the areas of research, instruction, production, and extension, as well as enrichment of CFlex’s initial conceptualization of the PNU Lifelong Learning Program.