Press release
19 October 2001
UK higher education forms alliance with Sun to deliver eUniversity programmes worldwide
The HEFCE today welcomed a new strategic alliance between higher education in the UK and Sun Microsystems to build the technology platform which will deliver programmes and services for the eUniversities project. The first three pilot programmes have also been announced.
The eUniversities project aims to deliver on-line in the UK and around the world the best of UK higher education.
The project is being formed as a venture between UK universities and colleges and private sector partners and other strategic allies. The UK universities and colleges have formed a holding company which they jointly own, the eLearning Holding Company Ltd (HoldCo), chaired by Sir Brian Fender. HoldCo is forming an operating company with private sector partners, called UK eUniversities Worldwide Ltd, which will deliver the eUniversity programmes and services.
The strategic alliance (see Note 5) announced today is with Sun Microsystems. Sun Microsystems is one of the world's leading suppliers of computer systems and major IT networks, with extensive existing links with UK universities. UK eUniversities Worldwide Ltd and Sun will work together to design and provide a world-class technology platform with global reach.
Sir Howard Newby, Chief Executive of the HEFCE, said:
'This is excellent news for UK higher education. Our universities are among the best in the world for the standard of higher education they offer. Sun is a world-leader in its field, and internationally respected for the quality and innovation of its products. Bringing those strengths together will get the venture off to a good start. I am delighted that we have achieved this vital stage in building the eUniversities project.'
The project has also agreed in principle to commission the first three programmes (see Note 6) to be delivered through the eUniversity. These will be developed as pilots, working closely with Sun. They are:
- University of Cambridge and the Open University: masters module in learning in the connected economy
- Sheffield Hallam University: MSc in information technology and management.
- University of York and other members of the Worldwide Universities Network: MA in public policy and management
Sir Brian Fender, chairman of the HoldCo, said:
'I am pleased to see a good variety of universities and partnerships in these pathfinder projects. We were delighted by the response from the higher education sector to our first invitation to submit proposals for programmes - over 80 different proposals from some 60 universities.
'Getting quality courses on-line is a costly business and one of the strengths of UK eUniversities Worldwide will be its capacity to facilitate the development of a wide variety of e-provision, bringing the benefits of economies of scale in development and marketing costs. It will extend the opportunities for universities to work together in creative ways to establish and maintain UK eUniversities Worldwide at the forefront of quality online HE provision. These first three pilots are an excellent start to what we intend to build as a much wider e-University portfolio of top quality programmes.'
Margaret Hodge, Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education, said:
'I want the UK to become the leading producer of quality on-line higher education. UK eUniversities Worldwide is key to making that vision a reality. This joint venture creates new opportunities for many students.
'Distance learning can make a real difference for students whose personal circumstances mean they need greater flexibility in when and how they study. This is great news as the variety of high quality courses expands to meet demand.'
Greg Stroud, Sun Microsystems (UK and Ireland) commented:
'Over the last six years the internet has developed into one of the most revolutionary technologies ever. It has revolutionised business, commerce and communication. It is now set to revolutionise higher education in the UK. Sun is very proud and excited to be involved in the eUniversities project, and we believe that the combination of our technology and the skills of the other parties will help to develop a system that will truly change the way individuals learn.'
Ends
Press contacts
For further information, contact:
| Philip Walker Roger Grinyer |
0117 931 7363 0117 931 7307 |
HEFCE |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Brook | 01252 421426 | SUN |
| Kevin Read Tanya Baird Lucy Fennemore |
0845 345 5575 | UK eUniversities Worldwide |
| Alison Mcfarquar | 01223 332300 | University of Cambridge |
| Gary Spink | 01908 653343 | Open University |
| Jon Pyle | 0114 225 4187 | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Hilary Layton | 01904 434462 | University of York |
| David Pilsbury | 07775 914865 | Worldwide Universities Network |
Notes to editors
1. The eUniversities project, now formally titled 'UK eUniversities Worldwide', was initiated, designed and co-ordinated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). It was first announced by the previous Education Secretary, David Blunkett, on 15 February 2000 (see DfEE press notice 2000/64). The Government has allocated £62 million to the project over the period 2001-04.
2. Three directors have been appointed by the Holding Company to the board of the UK eUniversities Worldwide: Professor John Bull (Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth), Professor David Wallace (Vice-Chancellor, Loughborough University) and Professor Sir Alan Wilson (Vice-Chancellor, University of Leeds). Private sector directors, including an independent Chair, will be announced shortly.
3. The business model and a wide range of associated documents about the purpose, development and design of the e-Universities project can be found at the HEFCE web-site www.hefce.ac.uk under 'Partners'.
4. The contract for the new venture was signed in the Reading Room of the British Museum by Greg Stroud, Vice-President, Sun Microsystems (UK and Ireland) and Nick Winton, Interim Chief Executive of the eUniversity on 18 October. Photos of the signing are available from The Press Office, QBO, tel 0845 345 5575.
- University of Cambridge and the Open University: masters module in learning in the connected economy. The course will focus on knowledge management within an internet-based information economy. Materials will be developed by a partnership - 'Open Cambridge' - between the Institute of Educational Technology at the Open University and the University of Cambridge Programme for Industry.
- Sheffield Hallam University: MSc in information technology and management is focused on developing awareness and skills in the areas of technical and strategic management of IT within organisations. It builds upon an existing distance learning course, which Sheffield Hallam has developed with SAP and Oracle. The partnership between Sheffield Hallam University and UK eUniversities Worldwide will enable the course to meet wider international demand.
- University of York and other members of the Worldwide Universities Network: MA in public policy and management (social protection). The programme will be aimed at those employed in, or otherwise associated with, the delivery and evaluation of social security policy. The pilot will build upon an existing programme in public services management based at the University of York and will contribute to the development of policy and management skills in agencies specialising in social security.
The Worldwide Universities Network is an international partnership of higher education institutions including the universities of Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Southampton and York in the UK; and Pennsylvania State University, University of California at San Diego, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Washington at Seattle and University of Wisconsin at Madison in the USA.
Last updated