UT Rector Appointed as 2025 Rotating President of The International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) Under The Auspices of UNESCO-ICHEI
In an important online meeting that brought together educational leaders and experts from around the globe, the UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (UNESCO-ICHEI) held a virtual partnership meeting on January 6, 2025. The event, which focused on the theme of digitalization in higher education, featured a series of presentations and discussions to evaluate past achievements and chart a course for future initiatives.
The partnership meeting commenced with opening remarks from two prominent figures in the field of education: Prof. Jin Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, and Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, who is also the 2024 IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit. Prof. Jin emphasized the importance of digital transformation in higher education. Prof. Bala echoed these sentiments, highlighting the role of digitalization in fostering collaboration among educational institutions worldwide.
Following the opening remarks, Mr. Sit Fung, Assistant Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, presented a comprehensive overview of the organization’s achievements in 2024. His presentation highlighted key milestones, including the successful implementation of various digital education initiatives across member countries, the establishment of partnerships with technology companies, and the development of resources to enhance digital literacy among educators and students.
Mr. Fung noted that 2024 was a pivotal year for UNESCO-ICHEI, as it marked the expansion of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) network, which now includes national centers in several countries. “Our efforts have laid a strong foundation for the future, and we are excited to build on this momentum in 2025,” he stated, outlining plans for further collaboration and innovation in the coming year.
The partnership meeting continued with a session dedicated to sharing the work of IIOE National Centres. Esteemed directors from various national centers presented their initiatives and successes in promoting digital education within their respective countries.
Prof. Mona Abdel-Aal Elzahry, Director of the IIOE Egypt National Centre at Ain Shams University, discussed the implementation of online learning platforms that have significantly increased access to education for students in remote areas. Prof. Muhammed Bashir Mu’azu, Director of the IIOE Nigeria National Centre, highlighted the importance of community engagement in driving digital education initiatives.
Additionally, Prof. Dr. Paulina Pannen from the IIOE Indonesia National Centre presented innovative approaches to teacher training in digital pedagogy. At the same time, Dr. Normatov Sherbek from the IIOE Uzbekistan National Centre discussed the development of digital resources tailored to the needs of students in Central Asia.
Another key moment of the partnership meeting was the launch of the IIOE Higher Education Digitalisation Pioneer Case Award 2025, presented by Prof. Lim Cher Ping, Chief Expert of IIOE and Chair Professor of Learning Technologies and Innovation at the Education University of Hong Kong. This award aims to recognize and celebrate exemplary cases of digitalization in higher education that demonstrate innovation, impact, and sustainability.
Announcement of the 2025 IIOE Presidency Unit
As the partnership meeting progressed, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., Chairman of the Consortium of ICE Institute and Rector of Universitas Terbuka (UT), was appointed 2025 IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit. He expressed gratitude for the trust and expected collaborative efforts of member countries in achieving the unit’s vision for 2025, which includes a focus on enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting research in educational technology, and fostering international partnerships.
The partnership meeting concluded with closing remarks from Prof. Li Ming, Secretary-General of the IIOE Secretariat. Prof. Li reflected on the discussions and presentations, reiterating the importance of collective action in advancing digital education. “As we move forward, let us remain committed to our shared goals of inclusivity, innovation, and excellence in higher education,” he urged participants.
The virtual partnership meeting served as a powerful reminder of the potential of digitalization to transform higher education and the importance of collaboration among global educational leaders. As the world continues to navigate the challenges of the digital age, initiatives like those discussed at the partnership meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the future of education for generations to come.
