The first Conference on Research in Distance and Adult Learning in Asia (CRIDALA) will be held at the OUHK from 21 to 24 June next year.

The first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region, the conference will bring together researchers and practitioners from around the world to review, discuss and chart the development of distance and adult learning.

'In view of the upsurge in demand for open and distance learning (ODL) in recent years, there is an urgency for us to determine research priorities so as to assist the delivery and management of this new mode of learning. There is also the need to address the issue of research methodologies in this emerging field which has just found its feet in educational practice and research,' said Prof. Olugbemiro J Jegede, Director of the OUHK's Centre for Research in Distance and Adult Learning and Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee.

The conference programme has been designed around seven sub-themes, which include cross-national, cross-cultural, inter-disciplinary and cross-institutional research; mentoring and research career development; utilising information and communication technologies in ODL research; research as incentive and reward in professional development; enhancing teaching and learning through research; ODL research agenda for the 21st century; and research and policy nexus in ODL.

The conference format is uniquely planned to encourage emerging researchers in ODL. Expert researchers will present keynote addresses both electronically pre-conference and face-to face at the conference. These experts will then act as facilitators and critical discussants at a series of symposia in which selected papers will be presented by emerging researchers. Following the symposia, the keynote speakers will lead face-to face and post-conference electronic roundtable discussions in which researchers will engage in further interactions. Details of the conference can be obtained from www.ouhk.edu.hk/cridal/cridala.

Another upcoming academic event is the Specialised Workshop on Institutional Research in Open and Distance Learning. The one-day workshop on how institutional resarch can serve decision-making more effectively in open and distance learning institutions will be held on 13 October, 1999. The workshop follows immediately the meeting of the International Council for Open and Distance Education Standing Conference of Presidents of Open and Distance Learning Institutions (ICDE-SCOP) at the OUHK from 10-12 October. It leads on to the 13th Asian Association of Open Universities (AAO-U) Annual Conference in Beijing (14 to 17 October).

The workshop will serve as an avenue for meaningful dialogue between top management of educational institutions and industry, experienced researchers and managers of research centres. Topics of discussion include strategies for promoting ODL research, a common agenda for training researchers, ways to co-ordinate research planning and research collaboration among institutions.