Online Discussion on Virtual Universities
08-01-2004 (Paris)
UNESCO's International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) launches an Internet discussion forum on virtual universities and transnational education. The discussion that will take place from 19 January to 20 February 2004 will be based on the study "The Virtual University: Models and messages / Lessons from case studies" that IIEP published in 2003.
The specific objective of the forum is to reflect upon the policy environment needed to support the efficient development and operation of virtual universities offering high quality education – and who should be responsible for the development of such policies" says IIEP's Susan D’Antoni. Although the appropriate location of responsibility may well vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, or from model to model, some commonality will no doubt emerge.
The forum will be of interest to:
decision makers in government, regional and national university bodies, and higher education institutions;
persons responsible for the planning and management of e-learning at the national or the institutional level;
persons interested in the use of ICT in higher education.
The forum.will be organized in week-long sessions. During each of the first four weeks, the author of one of four case studies will discuss the policy issues and concerns, related to the specific case and institutional model that the case represents:
Syed Othman Alhabshi – President of UNITAR – a newly created institution;
Juan Carlos Del Bello – previous Executive Director of the Universidad Virtual de Quilmes – an evolution of a traditional university
Dominique Abrioux – President of Athabasca University – an evolution of an open university;
Henri Ott – Deputy Director of Atlantech and responsible for the Université virtuelle en Pays de la Loire – a consortium.
Moderator of the Forum is Susan D’Antoni, with the participation of the four case study authors as expert resource persons. At the beginning of each week, the author of a case study will present a brief document describing the key policy concerns faced by the institution and inviting the participants to comment on a number of issues or questions. At the end of the week, the author will draw together the threads of the discussion on the institutional model in question.
During the final week, all participants will be invited to put forward a synopsis of the main policy concerns related specifically to their own institution or country situation.
The discussion and debate will be analysed and summarized in a report that will be made available to all the participants as documentation on the policy issues and concerns that need to be addressed for virtual university initiatives and transnational education to succeed.
Those interested in joining the forum are invited to send an e-mail message to virtual.university@iiep.unesco.org.
Background information
The virtual university is one example of new developments in higher education related to the use of ICT – transnational education, online learning, e-learning and so on. These developments can increase access and flexibility in higher education. However, they will surely challenge existing educational policies, demand revised or entirely new ones, and necessitate new approaches to planning and management.
The IIEP study was undertaken to examine the phenomenon of the virtual university through a range of case studies and to consider the implications related to policy and planning. A web publication has been released that is intended to support discussion and debate of key issues and concerns through a series of forums.
UNESCO serves as a forum for discussion and debate and the sharing of information and best practices, and assists countries in formulating policies, while the mission of IIEP is to strengthen the capacity of countries to plan and manage their education systems.
The growing interest and activity related to the use of ICT in higher education is accompanied with concern about the nature of new institutions and the education they provide.
The forum will be of interest to:
The forum.will be organized in week-long sessions. During each of the first four weeks, the author of one of four case studies will discuss the policy issues and concerns, related to the specific case and institutional model that the case represents:
Moderator of the Forum is Susan D’Antoni, with the participation of the four case study authors as expert resource persons. At the beginning of each week, the author of a case study will present a brief document describing the key policy concerns faced by the institution and inviting the participants to comment on a number of issues or questions. At the end of the week, the author will draw together the threads of the discussion on the institutional model in question.
During the final week, all participants will be invited to put forward a synopsis of the main policy concerns related specifically to their own institution or country situation.
The discussion and debate will be analysed and summarized in a report that will be made available to all the participants as documentation on the policy issues and concerns that need to be addressed for virtual university initiatives and transnational education to succeed.
Those interested in joining the forum are invited to send an e-mail message to virtual.university@iiep.unesco.org.
Background information
The virtual university is one example of new developments in higher education related to the use of ICT – transnational education, online learning, e-learning and so on. These developments can increase access and flexibility in higher education. However, they will surely challenge existing educational policies, demand revised or entirely new ones, and necessitate new approaches to planning and management.
The IIEP study was undertaken to examine the phenomenon of the virtual university through a range of case studies and to consider the implications related to policy and planning. A web publication has been released that is intended to support discussion and debate of key issues and concerns through a series of forums.
UNESCO serves as a forum for discussion and debate and the sharing of information and best practices, and assists countries in formulating policies, while the mission of IIEP is to strengthen the capacity of countries to plan and manage their education systems.
The growing interest and activity related to the use of ICT in higher education is accompanied with concern about the nature of new institutions and the education they provide.
Related themes/countries
· ICT in Education: News Archives 2004
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