By Dr Thazin Lwin (Retired Pro-Rector, West Yangon University)

I WOULD like to share my expe­rience from attending the AAOU 33rd Annual Conference held in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2019, during my time serving at the Yangon Univer­sity of Distance Education-YUDE.

At 9 am on 14 October 2019, I was at the airport, eagerly anticipating the 33rd Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Univer­sities (AAOU) in Lahore, Pakistan. However, I felt a tinge of sadness knowing I would miss the full moon of Thadingyut, a culturally significant event in Myanmar that heralds fam­ily unity in an opening season. This reflection on family and connection resonated with me as I prepared to engage with fellow educators at the conference.

The flight to Suvarnabhumi Air­port was smooth, allowing me to focus on my presentation for the conference theme, “Open Distance Learning: 2020 and Beyond.” My pa­per will address the challenges fac­ing distance education, particularly highlighting the computer-mediated communication (CMC) systems at Yangon University of Distance Ed­ucation (YUDE). While CMC has provided innovative opportunities, it has also created challenges, par­ticularly in assessment practices.

Upon landing in Thailand, I had a late lunch before boarding my flight to Lahore, which departed at 7:50 pm. Arriving in Lahore later that night, I was delighted to see familiar faces from a previous conference in Indonesia, and our reunion provided a warm, friendly atmosphere despite being the sole representative from Myanmar.

The next morning, after a quick breakfast, I attended the confer­ence’s inaugural session in the Crys­tal Hall. My scheduled presentation followed quickly, leading to addition­al responsibilities like chairing and moderating sessions. The engage­ment with colleagues from various backgrounds proved invaluable as we exchanged insights and advice.

A significant concern addressed during the conference was the his­torical decline in educational quality in Myanmar, linked to political insta­bility since the 1960s. Recent political changes have renewed attention on education as a vehicle for national development, prompting YUDE to broaden its scope and adapt to con­temporary educational demands. The transformation aims to provide more engaging learning experienc­es, though it is not without risks. Increased scrutiny invites criticism, and there’s a potential regression to older teaching methods if not man­aged strategically.

Starting in 1999, YUDE has aimed to establish an open education system, leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance learning opportunities. Col­laborating with the UK-based Trans­formation of Innovation by Distance Education (TIDE), YUDE has de­veloped numerous online courses across various disciplines, such as public health and food safety. These initiatives aim to keep pace with modern educational standards and provide relevant, practical training for students.

During the AAOU meetings, I participated in discussions regarding the organization’s future direction and potential partnerships. There was enthusiasm about hosting the 35th AAOU Annual Conference in Myanmar, an opportunity that would showcase our educational advance­ments.

Reflecting on Myanmar’s edu­cational history, I recognized the country’s pride in its past achieve­ments, albeit marred by fluctuations in quality and accessibility. The need for transformative change was clear, emphasizing that education should remain a priority, even in a distance learning context. The commitment to making education more accessi­ble and engaging for all remains a guiding principle.

In summary, the AAOU confer­ence provided a platform for discuss­ing the future of distance education, sharing best practices, and form­ing partnerships. The collaborative spirit among educators underscored the importance of collective effort in overcoming challenges in the ed­ucational landscape. The journey towards enhancing distance educa­tion in Myanmar is ongoing, driven by a shared vision of accessibility and quality for all learners.

At this point, I hope that by con­tinuing to be a member of the AAOU and actively participating, Myan­mar’s distance education system can develop further to meet international standards and become a more ad­vanced, internationally recognized system.

Hoping my wish comes true soon!