inspired 23 is wrapped around the idea of ‘augmenting the Asian connection’ which OUM’s President/Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang, reflects on as the OUM contingent prepares to attend this year’s Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) Annual Conference in Islamabad. The new issue also features special articles by Prof Junhong Xiao and Prof Paul Prinsloo, an interview with Prof Maria Rodrigo, as well as the usual info-related columns.