BOU VC returns home
National Desk :
A three-day international conference on “Recent Trends in Science, Technology and Innovation (RTSTI)” was held in Pokhara, Nepal from March 19 to March 21, 2025. The inaugural session was addressed by BOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam.
BOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam delivered the keynote address titled ‘The Role of Partnership in Encouraging Regional Innovation through Distance Learning’ at the conference and said that in the context of rapidly evolving education, partnerships play a vital role in encouraging regional innovation, especially through distance learning.
It explored the transformative power of international cooperation.
The lecture, which draws on insights from Bangladesh Open University (BOU) initiatives, highlights how digital education, including MOOCs and Open Educational Resources (OER), can bridge geographical and institutional divides.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for flexible, technology-driven learning models that reinforce the relevance of traditional education, hybrid learning, and digital accessibility.
TEL is capable of engaging students in a similar way to face-to-face teaching, but its implementation is different in off-campus and distance learning institutions.
By leveraging platforms like MOODLE and integrating short-term “concept videos” with transformative texts, institutions can increase student engagement and knowledge retention.
A case study on BOU’s MBA program illustrates the success of international academic partnerships.
In addition, collaborative programs with institutions like Pokhara University can provide students with global exposure.
The Honorable Vice Chancellor believes that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) may be signed between Bangladesh Open University and Pokhara University later, which will serve as a model for joint education and research initiatives.
The conference was attended by the Director of IQAC and Professor of the School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Md. Sirazul Islam, and the University’s Open School Professors, Dr. Sabina Yasmin and Dr. Md. Mizanoor Rahman, were also present as invited guests.