IUCEL VIRTUAL CARNIVAL 2021 SHOWCASED 321 PRODUCTS OF e-LEARNING INNOVATION

UUM ONLINE: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) was chosen to host the International University Carnival on e-Learning (IUCEL) Edition 2021, which began on 15 June and lasted two days.

The carnival, organised in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education (JPT), the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, and the Malaysian IPTA e-Learning Council (MEIPTA), aimed to showcase innovative and high-quality learning and facilitation materials.

Furthermore, IUCEL 2021 aimed to provide a platform for the exchange of best practises as well as to recognise the efforts of academics and students in producing quality products to improve the effectiveness of the learning process and facilitation.

The closing of the carnival was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Dr. Mansor Othman and, was also attended by Prof. Dr. Shahimi Mohtar, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), and MEIPTA Chairman, Dr. Nurbiha A Shukor.

According to Dato' Dr. Mansor, IUCEL provided educators and students with opportunities to showcase, share, and combine innovative ideas.

“We all have the ability to prepare for tomorrow and be agents of change that will propel us forward.

"I hope the virtual experience at IUCEL 2021 provides very valuable benefits and makes all parties happy," he said.

The virtual carnival received 321 innovation submissions from lecturers, educators, teachers, and students from both Public and Private Institutions of Higher Learning, Matriculation Colleges, and schools (primary and secondary).

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Fauziah Abdul Rahim, Director of the University Teaching and Learning Centre (UTLC), stated that the organisation of IUCEL 2021, aptly themed 'Leading Innovation Towards Digitalized Community,' was very much in sync with the current situation both nationally and globally, which forces various parties to embrace, use, and innovate the way they work, then become part of the digital community.

“Praise be to Allah, IUCEL 2021 was successfully organized online via the IUCEL 2021 Virtual Competition Platform. Thank you for your trust and cooperation in making this carnival a success ", she said.

There were four (4) categories to compete in: Invention, Innovation, and Design on E-Learning (IIDEL), Teaching Innovation Competition for Teachers (PIP-Teachers), Learning Innovation Competition for Secondary School Students (PIP-Secondary School Students), and Learning Innovation Competition for Primary School Students (PIP-Primary School Students) (PIP - Primary School Students).

IUCEL 2021 also presented twelve (12) Special Awards to individuals and organisations for their efforts in projects that had a significant impact on learning and e-learning technologies namely the Primary School E-Learning Award, Secondary School E-Learning Award, Best E-Learning Teacher Award, Best E-Learning Facilitator Award, Best Trend-Setter Award, Outstanding E-Learning Mobile Apps Award, Outstanding E-Learning Product/ Project Award, Outstanding Open Educational Resources (OER) Award, Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Award, Best E-Learning Management System Award, Outstanding Virtual Event Platform Award, and Higher Education E-Learning Maestro Award.

Apart from competitions and exhibitions of innovative products, a keynote address entitled ‘Micro-credential: Obstacles and Challenges of Developing Digital Community' was delivered by Prof. Dr. Abd Karim Alias from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM); a workshop conducted by OpenLearning Global (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and an Industrial Talk session with AceTeam Networks Sdn. Bhd. and e-One Technology Sdn. Bhd.