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14 February 2000 HEFCE logo
To  Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions
Heads of HEFCE-funded further education colleges
Heads of DFHETE-funded universities
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Circular letter number 04/00

For further information contact Alice Frost, Project Manager, tel 0117 931 7101, e-mail a.frost@hefce.ac.uk

Dear Vice-Chancellor or Principal

"e-University" Project

Background

1. I am writing to inform you that we are launching a new project to develop internet-based higher education. The project's working title is e-University. We are still at an early stage, but support is developing quickly and the project is being announced in a speech which David Blunkett is giving on 15 February at the University of Greenwich.

2. We are all aware of the development in the United States and elsewhere of major virtual and corporate 'universities'. The HEFCE is concerned that UK higher education (HE) should be able to capitalise on its considerable expertise in new technologies and its reputation for quality to secure a significant share in the markets accessed by these virtual/corporate providers, both overseas and in UK. We, with other UK funding bodies, now wish to explore how we can catalyse a virtual learning initiative of a scale and quality that will challenge the best in the world, and the Government has signalled its strong support for this initiative.

3. In summary, we currently envisage the key characteristics of the project as:

  • a new vehicle for delivering higher education programmes through virtual distance learning;
  • jointly owned, established and operated by a consortium of higher education institutions, working with private sector and overseas partners. This will not be a new, self-standing HE institution, but will draw on the expertise of existing providers;
  • focused on meeting expanding demand for HE programmes both in the UK and particularly overseas;
  • established on a scale that will enable it to compete internationally;
  • established with a central core of founder members, but also involving other HE institutions who wish to take part and who can demonstrate that they have a high quality contribution to make;
  • identified as a provider of the highest quality, both in its programmes and in the student support structures that underpin them, maintaining and enhancing the international reputation of UK higher education.

4. A paper with more detail on the project is attached as Annex A.

5. We recognise that many - even most - universities and colleges are embarking upon activities relevant to the project. We hope that many of you will be excited by a potential development of this scale. But we recognise that you will also want to know the implications for your own market position, and that you will therefore want to know more about the detail. Our aim is to ensure that this project adds substantial value in the form of new opportunities and a major boost to collaborative initiatives in virtual distance learning, rather than duplicating existing efforts. Clearly we need to take great care in the design and implementation of the project. But equally, the speed of global developments in this area means that we must move quickly to implement a viable project.

6. We have established a Steering Group for the project, chaired by Professor Ron Cooke, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York. The current membership of the Group is attached as Annex B. As the first stage in the project, the Steering Group expects to commission studies to scope the concept and give us practical and detailed advice on options for implementation. We will consult with the sector and other partners throughout the development of the proposals.

7. The Steering Group would welcome information on activities in your institution that are relevant to the project, and also for any views you may want to offer at this stage on the concept more generally. Contributions should be sent by 3 April to:

Alice Frost
Project Manager
HEFCE
Northavon House
Coldharbour Lane
BRISTOL BS16 1QD
Tel: 0117 931 7101
Fax: 0117 233 7226
Email: a.frost@hefce.ac.uk

Yours sincerely

 

Sir Brian Fender
Chief Executive

Annexes

 

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