The UNESCO UNITWIN 2025 project begins in HCM City on March 12 to link up global universities focusing on AI integration in distance learning. — Photo Courtesy of the HCM City Open University

HCM CITY — The UNESCO UNITWIN 2025 project was launched in HCM City on 12 March with the theme “Navigating the Future of Distance Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Challenges, Opportunities, and Global Collaboration.”

It is organised by the HCM City Open University (HCMCOU) in collaboration with the National Open University of Korea.

Part of UNESCO’s global UNITWIN network, it seeks to connect universities worldwide to advance training, research and the development of UNESCO programmes in gender, media and information technology.

HCMCOU rector Nguyễn Minh Hà said at the inauguration that joining the UNESCO-UNITWIN network and its initiatives provides valuable insights into the impact of digital transformation, technology and AI on distance education.

“It helps us recognise the challenges and opportunities that technology and AI present, allows us to learn from other members' experiences and opens the door to new global collaborations.”

He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, businesses and other stakeholders to ensure AI’s effective and ethical application in education.

UNITWIN 2025 builds on past initiatives, including the 2024 meeting in Malaysia, which focused on literacy and capacity-building in global digital education.

This year’s event brings together educational leaders, researchers and experts to explore AI integration in distance learning.

Key topics include digital transformation in higher education, digital skills development for learners and cross-border education cooperation models.

International speakers from UNESCO UNITWIN member universities shared insights on leveraging AI to enhance open and distance education.

Hà said the HCMCOU has been at the forefront of online learning since 2004, pioneering research and technological adoption in education.

It established the E-Learning Centre in 2016 to develop standalone online programmes, serving as an incubator for new educational technologies.

The results of these efforts have been incorporated into both distance learning and full-time programmes, making the university more adaptable to digital transformation.

This proactive approach proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the university to transition seamlessly to online learning within two weeks.

Its innovations have earned international recognition.

In 2020 it was one of eight universities nominated for the Times Higher Education Awards Asia in the Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year category.

In 2023 it became the first Vietnamese institution to receive Quality Matters (QM)’s “Making a Difference for Students” Award for its efforts to enhance education through digital tools.

UNESCO UNITWIN 2025 marks a crucial step in advancing AI-driven education.

By fostering global collaboration, the HCMCOU and its partners aim to refine digital learning strategies, equipping educators and students with the skills required for the future. — VNS