AAOU plays a significant role in shaping and influencing the direction of open distance and e-learning not only in Asia but that of the whole world. While each member institution can contribute towards this direction, collaborative undertakings can have a more significant impact.

At present, partnerships and collaboration are concretized through AAOU Exchange Fellowship Program involving two member institutions working together, the OU5 (UPOU, STOU, OUM, HOU, and UT) who worked together for the development of the ASEAN Studies program and who are also collaborating to conduct institutional research on distance education and on ASEAN studies. Some member institutions are also working together for the Asian MOOCS Steering Committee, and the AAOU Accreditation Task Force, both of which have research component. The aforementioned undertakings provide a springboard for this proposal to institutionalize research collaboration through the establishment of AAOU Collaborative Research Program.

Objectives:

  • Promote the generation and building of knowledge on open, distance and e-learning

  • Facilitate active engagement in scholarly activities among academics of AAOU member institutions

  • Promote the culture of research collaboration at AAOU

Implementation Mechanics:

  • Any member of AAOU on active status can submit a research proposal to the AAOU Secretariat. The research should involve at least three AAOU member institutions.

  • A Review Committee will review/evaluate the submitted research proposals. Members of the Review Committee should be senior academics from different member institutions and be appointed by the President. At least three regular members from different institutions and countries will constitute the review committee

  • A grant of up to US$5,000 can be given to each of the approved research proposals.

  • Each year, up to three (3) proposals can be given the research grant.

  • Every research project should be completed in two (2) years.

  • At least one paper from the research should be presented at the AAOU conference within two years or after the completion of the research grant and at least one paper submitted for publication to the AAOU Journal within two years or after completion of the research grant

  • A research report should be distributed to the AAOU member institutions during the Annual General Membership meeting the year following the completion of the research grant.

What to Submit:

  • Detailed research proposal (Introduction/Rationale; Review of Literature to establish the gap which the research will address; Methodology)

  • Name, Institutional Affiliation, and contact details of the Proponent

  • Names, Institutional Affiliation, and contact details of research collaborators

Send your interest to secretariat@aaou.org or aaou.org@gmail.com.

Deadline for 2022 Grant: 30 June 2022