During 12 – 16 August 2024, Asia Pacific Women’s Information Network Center: APWINC of Sookmyung Women’s University, collaborated with the National University of Laos to conduct the ‘2024 Sookmyung UNESCO UNITWIN Digital and Leadership Training’ which encourages NUOL’s female students for ‘Women’s Empowerment through ICT Skills and Leadership Education’, held at Multi-Meeting Room of Lao-Japan Human Resource Development Institute, National University of Laos. Moreover, 8 student participants were selected to receiving grants for participation in the 2024 UNESCO UNITWIN Advanced Workshop and Hackathon, which will be held by APWINC in November 2024, at Sookmyung Women’s University.

The first-ever host of Regional English Language Teaching (ELT) 2024: The Role of English Language Skills in 21st Century Workforce at the Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane Hotel on 30 May drew 120 participants who are Cambodia’s, Laos’ and Vietnam’s top policy makers, influencers, teacher trainers and other stakeholders in English language education aiming to enhance the English learning curriculum for Lao students and better prepare them for the 21st-century workplace.

The event, hosted by Faculty of Letters, the National University of Laos (NUOL), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States (US) in Laos and Regional English Language Office (RELO) in Vietnam, began with traditional stage performances by NUOL students, ELT remark from the US Chargé d’Affaires to Laos, Michelle Outlaw and opening speech by Mr. Thongsouk Keomany Vice president of NUOL.

“The forum is mainly to identify the role that English plays in the 21st-century workplace and how learners in three countries (Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia) are being prepared to use English efficiently and effectively in their future work,” Outlaw said.

In her speech, Outlaw also highlighted that many students struggle to apply their English knowledge and skills from school to their workplaces. However, she expressed optimism that the technological advancements in the post-COVID-19 era could “open doors to new possibilities and opportunities for both educators and learners alike.”

The event provided a platform for top policy makers, influencers, teacher trainers and other stakeholders in English language education from the three countries to exchange ideas and potentially enhance international cooperation in education. Jerrold J. Frank, the Regional English Language Officer from the US Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, also attended the forum. Frank’s role involves promoting English language learning across the Southeast Asia region.

“We have English language specialists that come and help design curriculums or advise people on best practices in developing English Language programs. We do a lot of teacher training. We support learners, we support teachers, and we have a lot of virtual resources as well,” explained Frank.

Frank praised the event’s organization and the enthusiasm of the participants, noting, “I enjoyed the event so much, and a lot of people have come to thank me for the opportunity. I personally don’t want the event to only last for two days. I hope that educators or influencers who get to know each other at the forum will keep in touch for future collaborations.”

While the US Embassy provided significant support, NUOL also played a crucial role in organizing and resourcing the event. “A lot of the resources were contributed by the National University of Laos because they’re the host. A lot of their human resources, a lot of their physical resources were contributed by them,” Frank acknowledged.

The forum also highlighted ongoing support from the US Embassy through the American Center, which offers free English courses of all levels. Gregory Aurit, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Laos, emphasized the Center’s role in providing a conducive environment for English learning.

“Not only do we have English courses, but we have a lot of programs in English that would allow anybody to access and enjoy this way to practice,” said Aurit. “We have beginner-level programs, where people can come in, get one-on-one tutoring, and participate in language classes. There are a lot of intermediate-level courses, and those are ones that you can register for.”

“The American Center offers an English environment where you can feel maybe a little bit like you’re in another country and can really practice your English through all of those programs,” Aurit added.

Overall, the event fostered international cooperation and highlighted the critical role of English in today’s global workplace.

The National University of Laos together with Asia-Pacific Women's Information Network Center, Sookmyung Women's University, Korea organize online training under the project “2024 UNESCO-UNITWIN Digital Entrepreneurship Online Training” on the topic: “Women’s Empowerment through ICT Skills and Leadership Education” for 20 female students at the faculty of Economics & Business Management , NUOL. The training starts from April 30 to May 14, 2024.

The purpose of the training is to provide opportunities for female students to gain more knowledge and understanding of IT, digital entrepreneurship and leadership education. In addition, during the training, there was a presentation competition under the theme of the event, in which the winning team from the competition was Team C: Four Musketeers_SHECHIC.  The team C will receive a scholarship to train at Sookmyung Women’s University, Korea for 1 week in November 2024.

The National University of Laos (NUOL) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) have agreed to work together to fulfil the aims of the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre.
ERIA inaugurated its Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC) in August 2023, to serve as an open innovation platform to enable knowledge sharing and collaboration among startups, other businesses, academia, and policymakers.
A Memorandum of Understanding has now been signed between the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia and NUOL concerning the work of the Centre.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday by NUOL Vice President Prof. Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong and the Chief Operating Officer of ERIA, Mr Koji Hachiyama.
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia was established by South East Asia Heads of State at the 3rd South East Asia Summit in 2007. It is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The MOU sets out a framework for collaboration between the two sides and the establishment of good relationships with academics at the university in cooperation on digital innovation and sustainable economic development using E-DISC as the platform.
The two sides agreed to partner in areas such as promoting joint research in technology and digital innovation by providing ERIA with country information and research findings from individual countries and giving advice to ERIA’s research team and policy recommendations.
The results of joint research will be circulated among policymakers and political leaders who will implement recommended policies.
The Centre will promote new ways of human resource development for the digital era in the ASEAN and East Asia region, with academics and other experts co-sponsoring or co-hosting events, public-private dialogue, and workshops, while other forms of cooperation may be decided on a project-by-project basis.
The MOU will remain valid from the date of signing for one year.
The agreement may be renewed, subject to a review of the results of collaborative activities and upon written agreement by the two sides prior to the expiry date.
A separate agreement will be drawn up to determine the specific terms and conditions of each of the activities and collaborations.
Any commitment regarding resources, personnel, or intellectual property will be negotiated in the subsequent agreement before the start of any activity or project.