Consideration pertaining to policy and regulation of ODL

CONSIDERATION PERTAINING TO POLICY AND REGULATION OF ODL

In view of the increasing number of ODL courses run privately by various private organisations, institutions and training agencies, and in order to ensure that matters relating to quality assurance requirements are fulfilled, also for the purpose of securing consumer protection for users, the government through the Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council (BDNAC) is charged with the responsibility to oversee this matter. While it is acknowledged that foreign universities, training agencies and awarding bodies offering courses through ODL in Brunei could assist in fulfilling the diverse human resource needs of Brunei Darussalam, it is also important to ensure that the quality of courses provided meet quality assurance requirements set by the BDNAC, a sole national accrediting agency in the country. In this respect, since ODL is an imported educational product, BDNAC has to act accordingly, as a consumer of the product rather than a recipient of a public good. For that matter, whatever benchmark pertaining to quality and standard in relation to accreditation and recognition of ODL courses and qualifications set forth by BDNAC, it has to be accepted that customer is always right and that the quality standard set by BDNAC fits the purpose in the context of Brunei Darussalam. In order to achieve the perceived quality in ODL offered in Brunei, the special committee of BDNAC has indicated some features for consideration if ODL is accepted, and these among others include the following:

1. In the absence of recognition and aspects of quality assurance in any ODL courses, the perceived potential advantages of ODL such as access and equity are meaningless. Therefore, it is important that the institutions and their courses must first be accredited by the government of the country of origin and/or by any accrediting agencies recognised by the government. As for courses in professional field such as accountancy, engineering, law, architecture and pharmacy, they have to be accorded with accreditation by professional bodies in the fields concerned, and that the qualifications must be accepted for the purpose of professional registration and practice.

2. ODL courses conducted must be through a combination of both face-to-face and distance learning using multimedia technology. In addition, its implementation has to be based on collaborative partnership arrangements between foreign providers and the local public or private agencies. Local partner will provide or acts as a study centre responsible to provide the following services:

i. A place for individual study in appropriate environment and at appropriate times.

ii. Library facilities including e-library

iii.Facilities for taking test, examination and various forms of assessment  Information centre (in administrative, management, record keeping etc) and provide guidance to the general public. Access to technology. Acts as a meeting point enabling students to meet with ODL institutions lecturer, administrator, and also enabling students to meet fellow students in the same and/or different course.