NetDragon and Open University Malaysia Sign Strategic Cooperation MoU
2025-10-24 18:00:13
On October 23, NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ("NetDragon") and Open University Malaysia ("OUM") held a grand signing ceremony in Changle, Fuzhou, to sign a strategic cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration marks the commitment of both parties to leveraging their respective strengths in open education and digital technology, jointly exploring the deep integration and application of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence in education, and setting a new benchmark for the development of global open and distance learning.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Simon Leung, Vice Chairman of NetDragon, and Prof. Datin Dr. Santhi Raghavan, Vice President/Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learner Experience and Technology) of OUM. The MOU was signed by Mr. Chen Hong, Senior Vice President of NetDragon, and Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Tajudin Md Ninggal, Vice President/Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research) of OUM.
The signing between Chen Hong (second from right) and Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Tajudin Md Ninggal (second from left), representing NetDragon and OUM respectively, was witnessed by Dr. Simon Leung (first from right) and Prof. Datin Dr. Santhi Raghavan (first from left).
As a leading Chinese enterprise in the "Education Going Global" initiative, NetDragon continues to expand its footprint across Belt and Road countries, with its education solutions reaching over 190 nations. Dr. Simon Leung, Vice Chairman of NetDragon, expressed: "Through this collaboration, we aim to create a replicable and scalable 'AI + Open Education' cooperation model that can be flexibly adapted for educational partnerships with other countries in the future. This will allow us to share our digital education concepts, technological tools, and operational models with more Belt and Road partner countries and their local educational institutions. We also look forward to working with more international partners to jointly shape an equitable, inclusive, and smart global education ecosystem."
Dr. Simon Leung, Vice Chairman of NetDragon, being interviewed.
According to the MoU, adhering to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win, both parties will establish a forward-looking cooperation framework, focusing on in-depth exploration in the following key areas:
·AI and Digital Content Innovation
The parties will co-develop AI-driven digital learning content and research the integration of smart learning analytics into OUM's Learning Management Platform, including an AI-powered psychological assessment system. This aims to deliver precise insights into learner behavior and engagement, enabling personalized learning experiences and enhancing teaching effectiveness.
·Advanced Technology Certification and Laboratory Establishment
The collaboration will explore digital credentials and micro-certification systems to ensure the security and credibility of academic qualifications. Concurrently, the parties plan to jointly establish an "Artificial Intelligence Research and Innovation Laboratory," focusing on frontier topics such as instructional design, gamification, and AI education ethics.
·Skills Enhancement and Course Development
Aligning with industry needs and lifelong learning goals, the partners will jointly develop micro-credential courses and vocational education and training programs, and collaboratively offer services such as language certification to enhance learners' employability.
·Digital Education Ecosystem Building
The initiative aims to establish joint digital education programs within OUM and its strategic partner network. Through think tank leadership cooperation, the parties will jointly participate in global policy dialogues on open education, helping to shape the future form of the open university.
At the signing ceremony, Chen Hong, Senior Vice President of NetDragon, stated: "This strategic partnership with Open University Malaysia represents another significant achievement for NetDragon in the higher education sector, following collaborations with organizations like UNESCO. Our cooperation will accelerate the scalable implementation of AI technology in more diverse global educational scenarios, injecting strong momentum into building the future smart education ecosystem."
Chen Hong, Senior Vice President of NetDragon, delivering a speech.
Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Tajudin Md Ninggal, Vice President/Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research) of OUM, stated: "We firmly believe that this collaboration will strengthen our commitment to global higher education and advance the development of open, distance, and digital learning; it also represents a significant step toward integrating digital education with artificial intelligence and fostering innovative learning solutions."
Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Tajudin Md Ninggal, Vice President/Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research) of OUM, delivering a speech.
During the media interview following the signing ceremony, Prof. Datin Santhi Raghavan, Vice President/Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learner Experience and Technology) of Open University Malaysia, said: “NetDragon’s AI Production Center and its concept of gamified learning have left a deep impression on us.” She added that digital technologies will greatly transform the educational ecosystem in the future, and they hope to maintain OUM’s leading position in open education through cooperation with NetDragon.
Prof. Datin Dr. Santhi Raghavan, Vice President/Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learner Experience and Technology) of OUM, being interviewed.
Open University Malaysia (OUM) is Malaysia’s first open university, with 35 learning centers across the country. It offers more than 60 online programs, serves around 40,000 students, and has a growing alumni network of more than 140,000 graduates. All of its programs are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), with several also recognized by international organizations such as CPA Australia and the UK’s Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
Prof. Chen Guangju, Vice Dean of the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University and former Vice President of Beijing Normal University (center), was invited to NetDragon.
As a leading global digital education company, NetDragon insists on empowering education with technology. In recent years, it has prioritized open education as one of its main focuses, continuously promoting the deep integration of digital technology and vocational education. For example, \this year, NetDragon cooperated with the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University (SLI-BNU) to successfully host the global forum "Open Universities in the Artificial Intelligence Era: Opportunities and Challenges" and the 2025 Global Smart Education Conference. These events brought together leaders and experts from over 30 open universities domestically and internationally to discuss key issues in open education. Prior to this signing ceremony, \Prof. Chen Guangju, Vice Dean of SLI-BNU and former Vice President of Beijing Normal University, was invited to NetDragon and shared with the visiting OUM delegates China's exploratory practices and experiential insights in promoting the mutual reinforcement of educational planning and digital transformation in education.
