Framework of Good Practices in Designing Integrated Curriculum

A research paper titled "Framework of Good Practices in Designing Integrated Curriculum" by Dr. Nguyen Thi My Ngoc and Johnson Ong Chee Bin was presented at the 14th International Conference on Educational Research, Thailand on 12 September 2021.

The abstract of the paper is shared below.

Today, the fourth industrial revolution and the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) are disrupting higher education. The lifecycle of knowledge, skills, and attitudes is getting shorter, and boundaries between disciplines are more integrated than ever with the rise of wicked problems and design education. This gives rise to the importance for higher education institutions to produce students and graduates that demonstrate a higher ability to handle multi-dimensional issues and challenges and be future-ready in the disruptive world of today and the future. In this turbulent time, how can higher education institutions redesign their curriculum to ensure that they remain relevant, up-to-date, and produce future-ready graduates to meet the needs of tomorrow?  What good practices can they emulate from successful education institutions to redesign their curricula? This paper primarily analyzes the significance of the integrated curriculum and good practices of educational institutions that have successfully implemented the integrated curriculum in preparing their students and graduates in the fourth industrial revolution and the VUCA world. Based on that, it offers a framework embracing the interconnecting three critical factors in designing an integrated curriculum encompassing (1) stakeholders’ collaboration, (2) beyond discipline, and (3) real-world environment.

3rd Discovering the Happiness DNA in You

The 3rd "Discovering the Happiness DNA in You" workshop was held on 17 September 2021 at Hilton Hotel, Singapore and home-based learning. The workshop was a redesign from the previous workshop on "The Happiness DNA". The outline of the workshop is as follows:

• Definition of happiness
• The science and facts of happiness
• The happiness DNA
• Discovering and measuring happiness DNA
• Internal happiness DNA: mental, emotional and spiritual happiness
• Nurturing and sustaining true happiness

The hybrid workshop was organised in collaboration with ASK Training Pte Ltd and Living Better and facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, Founder and Chief Happiness Coach of Living Better.

227th AUN-QA Programme Assessment at Far Eastern University, the Philippines

The 227th AUN-QA Programme Assessment (online) at Far Eastern University, the Philippines was held from 9 to 13 August 2021 for the following 4 study programmes:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics
• Bachelor of Science in Architecture
• Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

The 227th AUN-QA Programme Assessment was led by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin and he was also the lead assessor for the assessment of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prakorn Siriprakob and Dr. Nguyen Huy Phuc. 

The opening remarks by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, Chief Assessor of the 227th AUN-QA programme assessment is available at AUN website

4th Happier Career Happier Life Workshop

The 4th "Happier Career Happier Life" workshop was held on 6 August 2021 online. The outline of the workshop is as follows:

• Overview of the happiness DNA 
• The science of happiness in career
• Personality profiling tools to find suitable career choices including numerology, NERIS Type Explorer® and bazi (birthdate)
• Job crafting to redesign work to suit one’s values, strengths and passions
• Understand the kinds of work stress and how to manage them
•  Appreciate the future of work and how to stay relevant

The workshop was organised in collaboration with ASK Training Pte Ltd and Living Better and facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, Founder and Chief Happiness Coach. Various techniques to manage stress were shared and practised such as muscle relaxation, meditation, laughter yoga, stretching exercise and art therapy.

Applied Approach to Designing and Implementing OBE Framework at the National University of Management, Cambodia)

The "Applied Approach to Designing and Implementing OBE Framework" was held from 2 to 4 August 2021 for the National University of Management, Cambodia It was hosted by the Education Quality International and attended by 39 participants from various faculties and IQA Office of the university. The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin and Dr. Nguyen Thi My Ngoc. The learning outcomes of the workshop are:

At the end of the workshop, participants will learn to:

• Apply OBE framework in programme design, implementation and evaluation;
• Select appropriate strategies to engage stakeholders in programme design;
• Apply the principle of constructive alignment to align stakeholders’ needs, curriculum, learning outcomes, teaching and learning, and student assessment;
• Apply revised Bloom’s Taxonomy in writing learning outcomes;
• Select appropriate instructional and assessment methods to achieve learning outcomes;
• Design student assessment rubrics and marking schemes to achieve learning outcomes; and
• Evaluate the OBE programme for quality enhancement

The workshop was part of the 5-year NUM IQA project supported by AUN-QA Network and Education Quality International which is a community project to uplift the quality assurance of higher education in CLM countries. 

First Workshop on "Writing SAR for Successful AUN-QA Programme Assessment (Version 4)"

The 1st online workshop on "Writing Self-Assessment Report (SAR) for Successful AUN-QA Programme Assessment" based on AUN-QA Programme Framework Version 4 was held from 26 July to 5 August 2021. The workshop was attended by 33 participants from universities in Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines Thailand and Vietnam. They are invited as part of the community project collaborated between AUN-QA Network and Education Quality International.

The online workshop adopted both synchronous and asynchronous modes of delivery and hands-on assignment in writing SAR. At the end of the workshop, the participants received a consolidated SAR arises from their assignments. 

The workshop was graced by Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, Executive Director of the ASEAN University Network and facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA Expert and Founder & Principal Consultant of Education Quality International.

The workshop had received many positive feedback and some of them are:

"Congratulations. Conducting a workshop such as the AUN-QA SAR Writing Workshop is a difficult undertaking, But because of the expertise, and breadth and wealth of experience of Mr. Johnson Ong in AUN-QA, I was greatly benefited considering my tasks in assisting our University in the writing of AUN-SAR. More power."

"Everything seems good and has exceeded my expectation. Congratulations and greatest gratitude to the secretariat and Mr. Johnson."

"This workshop has deepen my understanding of each requirement in the AUN-QA programme framework."

AUN-QA Programme Framework (Version 4) Training Workshop at the National University of Management

The online AUN-QA Programme Framework (Version 4) Training Workshop at the National University of Management, Cambodia was hosted by Educational Quality International from 19 to 23 July 2021 and attended by 39 participants from various faculties and IQA Office of the university. The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin and Dr. Nguyen Thi My Ngoc. The learning outcomes of the workshop are:

At the end of the workshop, participants will learn to:

• Identify the elements of quality assurance ecosystem;
• Apply Cambodia Qualifications Framework to curriculum design;
• Apply the 4As iterative framework to implement AUN-QA programme framework;
• Interpret the AUN-QA framework, its criteria and requirements;
• Apply constructive alignment in curriculum design; and
• Carry out gap analysis and improvement to fulfil the AUN-QA programme framework

The workshop was part of the 5-year NUM IQA project supported by AUN-QA Network and Education Quality International which is a community project to uplift the quality assurance of higher education in CLM countries.