AUN-QA International Conference 2024: Pioneering Paths in Quality Assurance and AI-Driven Excellence!

For Session 1: Going ‘All Out’: Knockout Strategies for Higher Education Success, we are thrilled to have Dr. Tran Trong Dao, President of Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), Vietnam, taking the stage. Dr. Dao has led TDTU since 2021, enhancing its academic standing through strategic initiatives in research, curriculum innovation, and global partnerships. A published expert in artificial intelligence and optimization, he has significantly contributed to interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, positioning TDTU as a hub of educational excellence. His insights promise to enrich discussions on elevating institutional success through quality strategies. Also speaking in Session 1 will be Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bundit Thipakorn. With an impressive background in implementing transformative quality assurance frameworks, Dr. Thipakorn’s work emphasises continuous improvement and student-centred approaches in higher education. Expect insights into best practices that encourage institutions to support not just academic excellence, but also social responsibility and well-being, empowering students to thrive in an evolving global landscape.

This session will be expertly guided by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN Quality Master and AUN-QA Technical Expert. Mr. Ong is a key player in ASEAN’s quality assurance, with contributions in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Additionally, Mr. Ong has over four decades of experience in developing and implementing QA systems across ASEAN. As the founder of Education Quality International (EQI), he has trained numerous QA professionals and led initiatives such as the EU-SHARE project to promote outcomes-based education. His moderation will bring added depth to this discussion on excellence in education and continuous quality enhancement​.

Moving on to Session 3: Leveraging AI for Forward-Thinking Quality Standards in ASEAN Higher Education, this session will dive into the exciting integration of AI into higher education, where technology is reshaping quality assurance to meet future demands.

First up is Mr. Adam Brimo, CEO of OpenLearning, an AI-powered lifelong learning platform with a reach of over 250 providers and five million enrollments worldwide. A Forbes-recognised entrepreneur, Mr. Brimo has pioneered innovative educational experiences that are setting new standards in personalised, AI-enhanced learning. His insights on how AI can enhance both learning and quality assurance will set a forward-thinking tone for the session​.

Joining him is Dr. Chan Basaruddin, Vice President of The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) and a veteran in global quality assurance. As a professor at the University of Indonesia and past president of the ASEAN Quality Assurance Network, Dr. Basaruddin has guided QA systems across Indonesia and beyond. His background in higher education management and policy adds a global perspective to AI’s role in fostering high standards for ASEAN institutions​.

Assoc. Prof. Ts Dr. Hamimah Ujir from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) will round out this panel with her expertise in computer vision and academic quality. As Director of Academic Quality Assurance at UNIMAS, Dr. Hamimah applies digital competencies to quality assurance in higher education, focusing on areas such as AI and pattern recognition. Expect her to shed light on how emerging technologies can serve as tools for quality enhancement in academic settings​.

Moderating this discussion will be Prof. Wan Ahmad Kamil Mahmood, PhD, Special Advisor to the AUN Executive Director. With his extensive background in chemistry and over two decades of service with AUN-QA, Prof. Mahmood’s expertise in quality assurance frameworks will add insightful dimensions to the conversation on AI’s potential for shaping quality standards across ASEAN​.

Stay tuned for more speaker reveals and session details as we get closer to the AUN-QA International Conference 2024. More sessions, more speakers, and more strategies to elevate ASEAN’s higher education are on the way!