China

Agricultural distance-learning programs broadcast on radio and television are providing agro-science and technical knowledge to farmers in rural areas. The Central Agricultural & Broadcasting and Television School, the country’s leading provider of these programs, has trained 5.5 million farmers over the past 20 years through audio and video courses.

Distance learning has become a popular trend among farmers who are desperate to acquire knowledge of modern agricultural techniques but do not have time to leave their fields for the classroom. Long-distance educational classes are also cheaper than traditional campus-based programs.

Programs are broadcast each day through China National Radio, China Central Television Station and China Educational TV. In addition, the school (or one of its 2,408 branches) sells audiocassettes and videos, and supplements these with written materials and traditional classroom-based teaching to help farmers resolve any problems they may be having.

— China Daily
Dec. 20, 2000

India

The Indira Gandhi National Open University in New Delhi recently launched a doctor of philosophy program in education. The new Ph.D. program focuses on organizing investigations into various issues and problems relating to specific areas of study and research. Completion requirements are limited to the writing of a dissertation worth 60 credits. There are no exams of any kind.

Admission to the program is highly selective. Candidates compete for places through a testing procedure. Eligibility is limited to the following:

1. A minimum of 55 percent on the Master’s Degree Examination
2. A master’s in philosophy or education. For employers of distance/open learning institutions, a M.Phil in any discipline, and two years work experience are required.

— University News
Jan. 22, 2001

The National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology, a certified institution of higher education recognized by the Indian government, is offering the following programs:

Bachelor of Technology (in the following disciplines)

• Manufacturing engineering
• Metallurgy

Eligibility: Higher secondary certificate, or equivalent with coursework completed in physics, chemistry, mathematics and English.

Duration: Four-year degree program at Ranchi University.

Advanced Diploma Course (in the following disciplines)

• Foundry technology
• Forge technology

Eligibility: Diploma in engineering recognized by the State Board of Technical Education, or a bachelor of science degree with coursework completed in physics, chemistry and mathematics.

Duration: 18 months

— University News
Jan. 22, 2001

Japan

More than 590,000 students took the annual university entrance exam in January. The number of exam takers rose by 1.5 percent compared with last year, despite the fact that the number of 18-year-olds in Japan has been steadily decreasing in recent years.

Experts attribute the surge to the declining economic and employment situation in Japan, which makes going to college an attractive alternative to trying to find a job.

The entrance exam is highly competitive and there is tremendous pressure to get accepted into a prestigious university. Students who graduate from reputable institutions have a greater chance of securing a high-paying job.

— The Chronicle of Higher Education
Feb. 2, 2001

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Tun Hussein Onn Institute of Technology in Batu Pahat will be upgraded to a university for the coming school year. The new institution will train teachers for polytechnics in addition to community, vocational and technical colleges. Students will be admitted to the new programs in June 2001.

— Times Higher Education Supplement
Dec. 15, 2000

Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City Open University (HOU) was founded in June 1990 and gained recognition as a semi-public institution three years later. HOU offers both distance-learning and campus-based programs leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a variety of fields, including economics, social sciences and humanities, information technology and biotechnology.

Bachelor degree programs are divided into two cycles: The first lasts for one-and-a-half years and focuses on basic science courses; the second cycle runs from two-and-a-half to three years and offers specialized courses.

Since 1993, HOU has offered distance-learning degree programs in business administration. In addition to degree programs, the university also offers short-term training programs. HOU currently enrolls 25,000 undergraduate students, 100 graduate students and 5,000 undergraduate distance-learning students.

— Correspondence from Ho Chi Minh City Open University
Jan. 10, 2001