By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Abdul Raai Osman

BANGI, 21 Sept 2015 – Innovations from e-learning method Open Resource Initiative (ORI@UKM) developed by the National University of Malaysia (UKM) has received plaudits from around the world.

With the tagline ORIginal Contributions from UKM to the World, research expertise and innovation of UKM, primarily teaching and learning resources (T&L), can be shared with the international community.

Director of Centre Teaching and Learning Technologies (Pengajaran-UKM), Prof Dr Mohamed Amin Embi said there are two categories of research that are shared by UKM academic staff, which are Scholarly Publications and T&L Resources.

“With the strategy and the right approach, these contributions are not only able to provide large benefits to society, but also to enhance the image of UKM internationally,” he said while delivering his speech at ORI@UKM, Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Phase 2 and iTunes U UKM Launch Ceremony here, on September 14.

He said for this phase, Pengajaran-UKM has published 15 e-book titles on Web 2.0 in English Language version and 10 Malay Language titles as an Open Education Resources (OER).

Sp far, that material was accessed by more than 1.5 million educators, students and parents all over the world.

“E-books Web 2.0 Presentation Tools recorded over 60,000 readers in eight months with most readers from the United States, France, Italy and Spain,” he said.

He explained on March 2015, the books have also become viral with 20,000 readings a day. The contents of the e-book details how T&L can be used as a presentation tool more effectively and compatible with generation Z, or those born after the millennial generation.

Besides that, he said, for the MOOC phase 2, more than 400 participants from 45 countries have registered to follow the courses after it opened for four weeks starting August 15, 2015.

“This is a great marketing strategy for introducing UKM internationally,” he said.

As for iTunes U, UKM is the first research university to use the service as a platform to fulfil the objectives of the Ministry of Higher Education.

“Through smart partnership with the Apple Education Malaysia, 10 selected Lectures are accessible to a world-wide audiences. In addition, some courses at the Faculty of Islamic Studies can also be acquired by using iPad and iPhone via the  iTunes U platform,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali in his speech expressed the desire to see UKM become more visible to a world audience through the new online information technology applications, and impact directly the general public as well as highlighting the contributions of UKM.

“I hope that UKM will continue to innovate in teaching and learning processes in order for it to  always remain relevant in the 21st century,” he added.