As a university focused on distance education, Universitas Terbuka (UT) has pioneered providing flexible and affordable access to higher education for the broader community. Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., the Rector of Universitas Terbuka and Chairperson of the ICE Institute, served as a keynote speaker at the International e-Learning Conference (IEC2024) organized by Thailand Cyber University (TCU) in Bangkok on August 14-15, 2024. This year’s conference theme was “Transforming Lifelong Learning: Entering the Era of Artificial Intelligence in Education.” 

In his presentation, Prof. Ojat  highlighted that UT has been a driving force in the digital transformation of education, particularly in expanding access to higher education through distance learning. He also discussed the role of MOOCs and the ICE Institute in transforming lifelong learning, emphasizing how technology can enhance access to and the quality of education. 

The conference focused on how AI is reshaping education, with sessions dedicated to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), online learning case studies, and sustainability in lifelong learning. Various distinguished speakers and leading practitioners from countries such as Poland, the USA, Japan, China, and the Philippines attended. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for educators, researchers, and technology professionals to engage with the latest trends and innovations in e-learning, particularly regarding the increasing role of AI in education. 

In addition to being a keynote speaker, the Rector of Universitas Terbuka visited Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) to meet with the President of STOU, Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, where they discussed the role of distance education in the Southeast Asian region and globally.