UTAR and CourseNetworking launched Inspire@Learning to promote e-learning

Prof Ewe (right) and Ir Yong during the launch

Online learning has shown significant growth over the past few years and it has provided people with the opportunity to gain new knowledge, skills or competencies for professional and personal development at their convenience. In line with the global growth, UTAR and CourseNetworking launched Inspire@Learning which offers various online programmes with Micro-Credentials - Credit Transfer and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Point. The launch took place at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 3 August 2020.

Some of the online courses offered under Inspire@Learning were Creative Thinking, Basic Introduction to The Unity Game Engine, An overview of Malaysian Chinese Community, Education and Traditional Religions, Current Issues in Economics, Digital Advertising, Ethnic Relations, Mobile Application Development, Practical English, Sun Zi’s Art of War, History of Chinese Medicine and many more.

Representing UTAR at the launch were its President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Faculty of Accountancy and Management Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Faculty of Creative Industries Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Assoc Prof P. Thinavan, Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Centre for Extension Education Director Ir Dr Lim Jee Hock and staff. CourseNetworking Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd was represented by its Chairman Ir Yong Ah Huat, Director Yong Mien Dee and Client Experience Manager S. Savitha.

Prof Ewe (left) and Yong delivering their speech

Prof Ewe welcomed the delegates and said, “Today’s launch on Inspire@Learning endorses UTAR’s commitment to providing a platform for e-learning and continuous professional development courses through online modes in addition to those with face-to-face learning. Moving ahead, e-learning will become an alternative mode of learning especially for working professionals and students who wish to expand their knowledge and skills. Such courses are in great demand among working adults and students because it allows completion in modules at learners’ own time and location with shorter duration and more personalised. Micro-credentials can eventually be transferred towards upgrading their skills for new careers or in some cases, can be credit transferred into higher education formal awards. Therefore, Inspire@Learning aims to contribute towards the provision of such open online courses to complement traditional education.”

“We are indeed pleased to be associated with CourseNetworking who has been working with our team on a collaborative effort to introduce the e-personal management system among our students through CourseNetworking’s ePortfolio. This ePortfolio is a smart way for students to showcase their resume, work experience, projects, achievements and skills which enhance their CV and presentation for employment purposes,” added Prof Ewe.

Yong in her speech said, “Professor Ali Jafari who founded CourseNetworking believes in commercialising CourseNetworking to all universities around the world for a beneficial purpose. The platform was built for the academicians by the academicians. He is very passionate about doing research and making the platform better. UTAR can ride along this collaboration to continue with the expansion of CourseNetworking around the world especially on the research angle.”

She added, “We have users who are university collaborators as well as individuals such as academicians or professionals who are inspired to learn online courses. As the first social-based learning platform worldwide, being in South East Asia hasn’t been easy for us but we had so much hope as this is a growing area. We are very much looking forward to UTAR being our partner in collaboration and making the e-learning platform for UTAR courses. Hopefully, Inspire@Learning will inspire a lot of people to learn in a fun and wonderful manner. We look forward to fruitful collaboration and hope we can mark our footsteps around the world together.”

The launch was followed by a photography session and networking session.

Front row, from left: Prof Goi, Prof Yow, Prof Ewe, Ir Yong, Yong and Dr Sia
Back row, from left: Dr Lim, Dr Lai, P. Thinavan and S. Savitha

During the launch ceremony