NEWS: Sharing e-learning expertise

N a bid to share technical expertise on e-learning, Telekom Smart Schools Sdn Bhd (TSS) and Zeal Hi Tech Sdn Bhd (Zeal) recently signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with South Korean e-learning solutions provider Dunet Inc.

The agreement between Dunet and TSS focuses on the provision Internet Protocol (IPTV) e-learning content, as well as collaboration in research.

Meanwhile, the understanding between Dunet and Zeal covers the area of IPTV solutions and platforms, including the sharing of technological expertise, embarking on joint projects and co-expanding for the overseas market.

Both agreements were part of the Multimedia Development Corporation’s (MDeC) efforts to create collaborative opportunities between international and local companies.

Together, the two MoUs aim to enhance the capacity of Malaysian e-education companies, as well as increase the global competitiveness of Malaysian Smart School companies.

MDeC chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea’s commercial counsellor Kim Jong-Hwan witnessed the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Badlisham said that the companies involved were capable of enriching Korea’s IPTV e-learning initiative, particularly for programmes aimed at post-secondary and lifelong learning.

“This experience is invaluable for MDeC as we spearhead the Integrated Content Development Taskforce (ICON) that assists the Government in generating content for the High Speed Broadband (HSBB) initiative.

“I believe both parties will be able to work closely together to develop IPTV e-learning content and solutions, and perhaps even become leaders in the IPTV global networks.”

He added that the collaboration will allow Malaysia and South Korea to work more closely together to achieve the common goal of internationalising IPTV for education.

These recent agreements are the indirect result of a MoU signed in 2008 between MDeC and Korea’s National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) to collaborate on smart school programmes.

Signed in conjunction with the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), the 2008 MoU led to exchanges between Malaysian and Korean consortiums, ultimately contributing to the IPTV project framework.