RMIT strengthens relations in ASEAN region with Digital Readiness Program

Last week, The College of Business and Law in collaboration with the College of Vocational Education, welcomed recipients of the Australia Awards Improving Digital Readiness and Resilience of the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) short course program.

Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the two-week program is in its third year and run through the RMIT Centre for Cyber Security and Research Innovation (CCSRI) in partnership with Vector Consulting and the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C).

The short course brings together scholarship recipients from across the ASEAN region including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Lao and Cambodia.

Its objective is to explore how TVET institutions in ASEAN can be more digital ready and resilient as their institutions become more digitalised.

Mish Eastman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education, affirmed RMIT's commitment to enhancing the digital readiness between Australia and the ASEAN region through innovative and flexible technology-driven models.

“We're teaming up with over twenty organisations from industry, education, and government and it’s a great opportunity to build lasting relationships and help delegates make a real impact on digital transformation back home.”

"RMIT was excited to welcome this year's delegates to the program, where they've collectively fostered insights, innovation, and connections to create a more interconnected and digitally advanced region."

Gabby Cincotta, RMIT CCSRI Centre Manager said the course would address the challenges TVET institutions faced during the pandemic's shift to online learning, addressing quality assurance for governments.

“It examines infrastructure investments for digital delivery, teacher upskilling, development of online learning resources, leveraging existing ICT training programs, and ensuring safety in digital learning systems,” she said.

Technology

08 May 2025

Enhancing Digital Readiness through Quality Assurance

The short-course program is held at RMIT Melbourne campus in the first week, before participants spend a week in South Australia, hosted by Aus3C and visiting a range of organisations including TAFE SA.

Gabby Cincotta, said much of the program involves site visits across various institutions that can help build participants’ understanding of technology and digital integration.

“Participants will visit sites such as RMIT, CISCO, Kangan, Monash College, Tonsley, Lot Fourteen, TAFE South Australia, as well as participate in panel events with government and industry leaders in technology and digital education,” she said.

“There will also be a series of workshops delivered on digital best practice, digital transformation and resilience from a cyber perspective.”

With the program looking to leverage existing regional initiatives that promote safe, ethical and effective use of technology in education, such as TechEXCELS and GURO and ensuring security of users in digital learning environments such as cybersecurity and data privacy considerations.

Short course participants pictured at CISCO.

Developing Networks to Foster Lasting Connections

Cinotta said that the benefit of the course goes beyond the practical skills the participants will adopt through the visit.

“In addition to emersion into digital best practice and learnings from an Australian context, the program will be an opportunity to foster lasting connections across their networks from the ASEAN region and with RMIT beyond the program,” she said.

“The participants will be able to take home practical learnings and implement change and connect with other leaders in the region back at their home countries.”

Story: Finn Devlin and Claudia Lavery

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Technology

08 May 2025

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