COL keynote address at AAOU 2023

Professor Kanwar presented a keynote address to the 36th Asian Association of Open Universities Annual Conference (AAOU 2023) in Istanbul, Türkiye, in September 2023. In “The Future of Open Universities: A Comprehensive Overview,” the President and CEO of COL acknowledged the growth and development of open universities, then explained how they have contributed to national development and enhanced access to higher education, most notably for marginalised communities and persons with disabilities. The address outlined five future pathways for open universities: promoting a culture of lifelong learning, personalising learning through technological innovations, collaborating with the labour market for job-specific courses, integrating multiple literacies into curricula and  addressing environmental sustainability.