Virtual Universities, Education for All and Lifelong Learning

Unicelled creatures adapted to their environments and evolved into increasingly sophisticated beings over the millenia. Today however, time is a scarce commodity and we must quickly and constantly update, upgrade and add to our skillsets in order to continue to be a part of the new world order. Lifelong learning is perhaps even more strongly linked to survival today than ever before. And the instrument that will make it accessible, flexible, inclusive and accessible is the virtual university.

In an era of technology and digital divides what is the role of a virtual university and how can such schools be a driver of social and economic change? How are virtual universities set up? What are the costs and what are the technologies and infrastructure needed to establish a virtual university? How can these ethernet campuses be made accessible and affordable? What are the accreditation schemes available, and can and will these rally people into adopting this new model of learning on the scale and with the enthusiasm needed to justify the investments? Can such models of learning withstand economic storms and monetary market crunches? What are the pedagogies needed, and what will be the quality of teaching and learning and what calibre of learners will be developed as a result? These are some of the questions I'd like to explore.

To start with, some background.

In 2004, the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) launched a project on the Virtual University and E-learning. This project provides insights and case studies, explores and shares the lessons learned in the setting up of virtual universities both in developed and developing countries. There is an overview of policy planning and management issues and a range of diverse case studies that cover the main institutional models.

Traditional universities must keep pace with these new modes of delivery and evolve suitable and appropriate approaches. They must explore ways to offer an education that is transnational, global, inclusive and accessible. Shall we join forces or go it alone?