This article reports on the development of e-learning in the global and Asia-Pacific contexts taking
into account the impact it has towards fulfiling Malaysia’s needs of establishing a knowledge
workforce through the provision of lifelong learning via open and distance learning (ODL). This
article also discusses the experience of implementing e-learning at the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan
Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. Various factors contributing to the success of this implementation are
discussed. The challenges and constraints faced by UPSI and ways of overcoming such challenges
will also be highlighted. (Authors' abstract)