On November 13-14, 2024, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) hosted the 2nd International Conference on Digital Business, Society, and Economy (ICDBSE) in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The conference united leaders and experts to explore digital innovation’s role in lifelong learning, business transformation, and societal impact.
The opening ceremony featured welcome addresses by Assistant Professor Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, and Professor Ts. Dr. Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation as a co-host. They emphasized the conference’s importance in addressing digital transformation across various sectors, particularly in education and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
The first keynote speech, delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Ninnat Olanvoravuth, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL), addressed “Innovative Technology for Sustainable Lifelong Learning.” Dr. Olanvoravuth highlighted how emerging technologies can enhance accessibility and inclusivity in education, supporting lifelong learning across Southeast Asia.
Following a refreshment break, the conference continued with a panel discussion on establishing a robust quality framework for lifelong learning. Panelists are Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., (Rector of Universitas Terbuka and President of Asian Association of Open Universities), Dr. Torunn Gjelsvik (Secretary General of International Council for Open and Distance Education) and Mr. Emiljohn Columna Sentillas (Policy and Planning Expert SEAMEO Secretariat). They shared strategies to ensure excellence through quality framework and adaptability in education systems, which is crucial for supporting the evolving needs of digital learners.
In the afternoon, two parallel sessions explored “Digital Business and Economy” and “Digital Learning and Society.” A special session, “Financial Innovation and Technology Towards Sustainability in Open Universities: the UPOU and STOU Experience,” examined the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and STOU’s innovative approaches in financial technology for sustainable education models.
Day two commenced with a keynote by Professor Ts. Dr. Murali Raman on “SME and Digital Business Transformation, Role of Change and Culture.” Dr. Raman discussed how digital strategies, and organizational culture can drive SME success in a competitive global economy.
A notable special session titled “Join Forces for Impactful Advocacy – the ICDE Global Advocacy Campaign in Asia” brought together advocates for digital education, emphasizing collaborative efforts to increase the accessibility and impact of online learning across Asia. In this meeting, Prof. Ojat was trusted by ICDE to lead the working group focused on policy. Several faculty members from UT were also joining the meeting, i.e., Dr. Mohammad Yunus (Vice Rector for Academic Affairs), Dr. Lidwina Sri Ardiasih (Head of Center for Multimedia Learning Content Production), Dr. Adhi Susilo (Senior Lecturer), and Fauzy Rahman Kosasih, M.Pd. (Policy Advisor to the Rector).
Additional parallel sessions covered themes of digital business and learning, with discussions on future trends and challenges. An exclusive ICDE Global Advocacy Campaign – Asia Working Group Meeting allowed invited members to discuss ongoing initiatives and future goals.
The conference concluded with key takeaways presented by Professor Dr. Murali Raman, who summarized insights from ICDBSE 2024. The event also included the ICDBSE 2024 Awards Presentation, recognizing contributions from standout participants. Closing remarks were delivered by Professor Dr. Murali Raman and Assistant Professor Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda. ICDBSE 2024 proved to be a pivotal event, bridging academic and industry leaders to inspire progress in digital business, lifelong learning, and societal transformation.
