24 November 2022 – In line with its continuous efforts to strengthen quality as a core value in the transformation of higher education, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), organised a virtual panel discussion to highlight the Benchmarking Framework for online higher education and present best practices exchanged during the global implementation cycle 2022. The session, held in partnership with the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), featured representatives of the Consortium for Benchmarking Framework for Online, Open, Smart, and Technology-Enhanced Higher Education from the Asian region, along with quality assurance experts in the field of higher education, teaching, and administrative staff of universities, as well as faculty members.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, delivered a welcome speech at the session emphasising on the importance of international partnership, consolidating bridges of continuous dialogue, and facilitating channels for exchanging best practices and the latest statistical data that strengthen the role of the smart education system as a significant force in higher education. The participants discussed the reference framework, its components, and its application, and presented the best practices of Asian universities based on the global implementation of the framework, and shared the insights of the speakers and experts participating in the panel discussion and the audience about the opportunities and advantages offered by the application of the framework. Several renowned speakers took part in the event, including Ms. Torunn Gjelsvik, Secretary General of ICDE, who moderated the discussion, Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), as well as other representatives of Asia e University, Open University of China, UPOU and HBMSU.

The event was under one of HBMSU's flagship international projects, the Benchmarking Framework for Online, Open, Smart, and Technology-Enhanced Higher Education, which is part of the university's strategic goal of supporting the digital transformation of higher education.

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