GDLN AP First General Meeting, Tokyo, 2007

ASEAN Secretary General Speaks in Opening Session

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ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong opened the GDLN AP General Meeting on June 19, 2007 capturing the excitement in the region as the association celebrates it 40th anniversary. “Yes, we can do more”, said Mr.Ong on collaboration between the GDLN and ASEAN. “One thing we are working on is the use of technology like your network….we are keen to work with the World Bank to find innovative packages that we can deliver to our citizens”.

Speaking via the GDLN from Mongolia, Mr. Ong gave an overview of ASEAN’s efforts, identifying the three pillars of community building; security, economic and socio-cultural. Mr.Ong also spoke enthusiastically of the ASEAN Charter which is currently being drafted, as a way to mainstream ASEAN into the “national consciousness” of its members.

On keeping up with technology, “You see a challenge as never before” said Mr. Ong, and described ASEAN’s efforts to develop a systematc, harmonized program for technical training, as well as to coordinate with governments and the private sector to reach everyone with computers and the internet.

Dr. Monika Weber-Fahr, Manager of the GDLN & Multimedia Division of the WBI/World Bank, spoke of a recent mission to Kenya where she was impressed by the eagerness in Africa to use the GDLN to reach beyond their region. Mr. Ong was very positive on overcoming obstacles such as infrastructure to expand ASEAN’s reach as well by collaborating with the GDLN.

Mr. Colin Lonergan, EAP GDLN Coordinator, pointed out that the GDLN AP was modeled on ASEAN, with consensus-based decision making, rotating management, GDLN AP Charter, and expressed his gratitude to Mr.Ong for sharing his vision and determination.

Watch Secretary Ong’s speech on video.

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ASEAN Secretary General Speaks in Opening Session           Part 2 (Q & A)

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ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong answers questions from the floor on bridging the digital divide in Asia, collaboration between ASEAN and the GDLN and other issues.

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Open Space Discussions

Chair: Mr.Nigel Seys-Phillips, Director, Fulcrum

An “Open Space” discussion was conducted on 3 Strategic Initiatives for GDLN AP.

3 Strategic Initiatives:

1.Market and deliver sustainable regional programs to build revenue and demonstrate capacity across the network

2.Build a unique brand identity offering a single clear focus for the entire network represented by GDLN AP

3.Build the capabilities of GDLN AP to meet demand and deliver high quality services on a consistent basis

Session 1
Discussion on SWOT analysis and top 3 strategic initiatives

South Asia formed a separate group to discuss their options on collaborating with or joining GDLN AP and general issues specific to their region.

Session 2
Groups reported back on their conclusions
Same groups went into detailed discussion to develop a 1-2 year work plan to implement the strategies.
South Asia joined the other groups following a unanimous decision that they would join GDLN AP

Session 3
Presentations by groups reporting back and a plenary discussion to wrap up the decisions.

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South Asia joins GDLN AP meeting

GDLN South Asia joined discussions in Tokyo, marking another “first” for the GDLN AP as it works to expand collaboration. Despite contact between individual DLCs, there was no formal venue prior to this Meeting where the two regions could convene. “We should try to integrate…. for a bigger market and participation in more programs” said GDLN Regional Coordinator for South Asia, Michael Foley.

GDLN South Asia concentrates on identifying partners and clients and catering to their needs, but another part of their strategy is to “see what is on offer”; GDLN AP may have programs that are in demand in South Asia as well.

DLCs in South Asia communicate through monthly videoconference meetings and a web-based discussion forum. 

In Tokyo, DLC representatives shared their experiences; BRAC University DLC (Bangladesh), the newest addition to the family, started operating in March 2007. “We are getting more World Bank programs, and organizations such as JICA and ADB want to send programs to us for monitoring and other purposes “ said GDLN Program Coordinator Ali Salmon.

TERI DLC (New Delhi) has been operating for 5 years running programs for government, private sector, and students. Mr.Vinod Bhargava, Consultant, expressed hopes to develop more programs on climate change. Sri Lanka DLC CEO Nishantha Kamaladasa described an English and computer education program to help students in villages, and emphasized improvements in his DLC’s financial record.

Afghanistan was represented by its Manager, Mr. Khalid Saleem. Capacity building of government officials has been it primary function, but “We hope to reach the private sector, to meet business demand” said Mr. Saleem. Afghanistan also has a domestic network of 36 DLCs, with Kabul serving as the hub.

Mr. Anand Swaroop Srivastava, from the Government of India’s National Informatics Centre, spoke enthusiastically of plans for his institution to join the GDLN in the near future, which will make it possible to facilitate more GDLN activities involving government agencies.

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Opening Remarks

World Bank Special Representative to Japan Mr. Lester J.Dally welcomed participants to Tokyo and called the meeting “a milestone for the Association….  serving to remind us of the value that the GDLN AP brings to development initiatives in the region”. He added that it was fitting for the First General Meeting to be held in Japan, the largest donor to the regional GDLN. Mr. Dally also expressed hopes to make the partnership with the Bank stronger and more substantive. 

Japan’s Ministry of Finance, Mr.Osamu Yoshida, Deputy Director, Development Institutions Division, International Bureau, underscored the significance that the Government of Japan attaches to human resources development, part of the reason for the Government’s 25 million dollar contribution towards the TDLC and its activities. “As time passes, the way of learning changes, and this kind of global network will provide a cutting edge way of supplying new knowledge which is needed in each region”, said Mr. Yoshida.

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Chongqing to Host Next GDLN AP Meeting: Director General Dai Invites Members

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“We are willing to work with all of you to turn GDLN AP into the most dynamic member of this distance learning network”.
Ms.Guying Dai, Director General of the Department of Human Resource Development and Regulations, Office of the Leading Group for Western Region Development of the State Council, China, reaffirmed China’s commitment to the GDLN and announced that Chongqing, a member of The China Development Distance Learning Network (CDDLN), would host the next GDLN AP meeting in November 2007. Extending her invitation to members, Ms.Dai also expressed hopes that the CDDLN would sign an official agreement upon this occasion to join the GDLN. 

Addressing the Meeting via videoconference from Beijing DLC during the opening session on June 20, 2007, Ms. Dai also expressed her appreciation to the TDLC and collegues within the network for supporting the CDDLN. Formally opened in November 2005, “The CDDLN has become an important resource for developing human resources in Western China” said Ms. Dai.

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Mr. Nobuyuki Idei Gives Keynote Speech on Innovation in Asia

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Despite the worldwide economic boom and increasing clout of Asia in world markets, Japan and other countries in the region must cooperate in the crucial areas of education, business innovation, and climate change in order to sustain and build upon the amazing regional success story.

Mr.Nobuyuki Idei, Founder of management consultancy Quantum Leaps and former SONY CEO gave a keynote speech on “Innovation in Asia” providing inspiration for discussions on Day 2 of the Meeting.

View Mr.Idei’s speech on video.

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Information and Communication Technologies and Education

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Expanding on the theme of the keynote speech,  experts share their experiences in education—at the heart of Asia’s effort to meet the challenges of technology and innovation—and their views on the effect of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on learning.

Moderator: Mr. Lester J. Dally, Acting Special Representative to Japan, World Bank

Speakers:

Prof. Jim Taylor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Southern Queensland
“5th Generation Distance Education : A Sustainable Approach to Development”

5th Generation Distance Education.pdf

Dr. Milagros Du Lagrosa, Executive Director of the Asian Institute of Management – World Bank Development Resource Center

Mr. Tomomi Tsubota, Executive Coordinator, Nikkei DigitalCore Program, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc

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ICT for Greater Development Impact

Donor agencies have embraced ICT tools to help bridge distances that can be an impediment to those working in development. In this panel discussion, we see examples from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the World Bank on how these organizations have made use of technologies to improve quality, monitor performance, or reduce cost.

Moderator: Ms. Maree Tait, Manager, GDLN Australia

Speakers:

Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
Director General, Development Assistance Department 1,
Mr. Koki Hirota

JBIC’s experience on e-learning and e-monitoring in Indonesia

1. ICT utilization project for educational quality enhancement in Yogjakarta Province.
2. Professional Human Resources Development Project
- a scholarship program for civil servants. introduced e-learning platform with 4 national universities to participate in a linkage program with Japanese universities. students will study for first year in Indonesian, the second year in Japanese universities.
3. E-Project Monitoring
-positive effect on donor harmonization

JBIC’s experience:e-learning and e-monitoring in Indonesia.pdf

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Team Director, Administration Team/JICA-Net Team, Social Development Department,
Mr. Satoru Watanabe

A Case of ICT Use in Technical Cooperation - “JICA-Net”

1. About JICA-Net
2. Example of JICA-Net Use in Technical Cooperation
    Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education Project - led to enhanced communication, reduced cost and time
3. Cooperation Between JICA-Net and TDLC
    Total activities numbered 140 for FY2006. Distance learning seminars are on the increase. Content sharing between JICA and WBI.

JICA:ICT in Technical Cooperation.pdf

World Bank
Knowledge Coordinator, East Asia and Pacific Region,
Ms.Sonya Woo

A major objective of the GDLN AP has been to position it as a strategic operational tool and develop a line of business by systematically integrating its products and services into the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific operations…The Bank has utilized a full range of services offered by the GDLN in its FY07 work program sectoral initiatives. We wish to scale up programs next year.

World Bank
Director, Information Solutions Group,
Mr.Le Anh Vu

At a GDLN Distance Learning Center, the delivery of VCs for learning is only 30% of the objective. What will we do for the rest of the time? Innovation - multimedia is key. How do we capture knowledge and share it with the world? ....We can transmit real time, edit real time, tailor programs real time. We are in a very challenging time of catching up with technology…. we must make sure to capitalize on technology and think how we can capture and disseminate knowledge.

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GDLN in Action

Chair: Dr. Pimrumpai Premsmit, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand Center of Academic Resources (DLC)

Following presentations from our partners on the way ICTs are changing the way they operate, this session focuses on the GDLN in action; Represented are three programs that best illustrate the network’s approach to capacity building and outreach expansion.

First is the Training of Trainers on Microfinance, a prime example of collaboration between partners to create a blended learning course that has spawned numerous localization efforts with participating Centers becoming a focal point for capacity building.

The second and third programs both prove the significance of partnerships in expanding outreach. The Pacific Leaders Virtual Forum is the outcome of a partnership between the Australian National University and AusAid that has created a virtual community of practice among leaders to facilitate exchanges on issues ranging from conflict resolution to fisheries. Over 40 sessions involving 2400 participants have been conducted since 2004.

The Asian Productivity Organization, based in Tokyo, is one of the earliest partners of the TDLC which has used the GDLN to conduct its training programs in bulk, leading to cooperation at the local level between their National Productivity Organization in Manila and the GDLN affiliate, Asian Institute of Management.

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Capacity Building Through Program Localization

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• Training of Trainers on Microfinance (MFToT)

Speakers: Dr. Sununtar Setboonsarng, Senior Research Fellow, Asian Development Bank Institute

Dr. Jiping Zhang, Senior Distance Learning Specialist, Tokyo Development Learning Center

Ms. Linh Hoai Nguyen, Manager, Vietnam Development Information Center

Ms. Shalika Subasinghe, Training Coordinator, Sri Lanka Distance Learning Center (connecting via VC from Sri Lanka)

MFTOT.pdf Subasinghe Presentation.pdf

 

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Outreach Expansion Through Partnerships

• Pacific Leaders Virtual Forum (PLVF)

Speaker: Ms. Elizabeth Ingram, Project Officer, GDLN Australia

PLVF.pdf

 

• APO/NPO training courses

Speakers: Mr. Mukesh Dev Bhattarai, Director, Research & Planning Department, Asian Productivity Organization

Mr. Juan Robertino D. Macalde, GDLN Program Manager, AIM-WB Development Resource Center

Ms. Eiko Wataya, Program Coordinator, Tokyo Development Learning Center

Wataya, Bhattarai Presentation.pdf Macalde Presentation.pdf

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GDLN Indonesia in Higher Education: Vision and Action

From Indonesia’s Ministry of National Education, Dr. Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, Director General of Higher Education, gave a special presentation on his country’s strategy for integrating ICTs in higher education.

GDLN Indonesia was fully certified in January 2006, with a vision to improve the nation’s competitiveness through access to global knowledge, narrowing the disparity of access to information between regions, and introducing the latest technology to a wider audience.

In addition, as a replication of the GDLN, INHERENT (Indonesia Higher Education Network) was established in 2006 with government funding to improve the quality of higher education, and plans are currently being explored to link GDLN with INHERENT.

GDLN_Indonesia.pdf

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TDLC Open House

Taking a break from discussions, the TDLC opened its doors to participants, demonstrating the various technologies that are employed at the Center in daily videoconference sessions. In one corner was a chroma key production demonstration; guests were invited to stand in front of a camera fitted with a green chroma key “lite-ring” to see a projected image of themselves in a Japanese garden. The “secret” lies in the Chromatte fabric screen set up as a background. This fabric contains millions of glass beads that act as reflectors, catching the green light from the ring. A vision mixer combines the image of the guest standing against the screen with the image of the garden, replacing anything that appears green—i.e. the screen— with the garden image. 

The TDLC had some news to share: it is now equipped with a new Multipoint Control Unit (MCU), a network device that can connect two or more videoconferencing endpoints into one conference via IP or ISDN. In addition, the TDLC has become the first international organization to be granted membership to the Science Information Network (SINET), which connects 515 universities and 191 research organizations in Japan. It has also introduced Moodle as the learning management system for its Microfinance Training of Trainers Course.

The TDLC website was under the spotlight as well, hosting the GDLN AP website with coverage of the Meeting and video uploads of the day’s sessions including podcasts.

Featured was a special demonstration by Hosei University’s Information Technology Research Center. Hosei University uses a customized Automated Content Management System in its e-lectures, which allows students to watch the lecture on video, follow powerpoints, and receive subtitles of the lecture all in real-time. After the lecture, these three components are compiled into one screen and become accessible through the web for review. The subtitling feature is particularly helpful for non-native speakers of English who may need to refer to the text to increase their comprehension.
On view at the Open House was a demonstration of this system as employed during the Meeting.

TDLC Open_House.pdf

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In closing (Japanese):

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Statement by:
Mr. Ryu Fukui,
Manager, Tokyo Development Learning Center

View video in Japanese.

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In closing (English):

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Statement by:
Mr. Colin Lonergan, EAP GDLN Coordinator
Dr. Ravi Corea, Senior GDLN Business Advisor

View video in English.

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