The solution to society’s learning needs lies in flexibility, innovation and new technologies, and open and distance education universities are ready to the lead way. Traditional universities are failing adequately to respond to student needs, and the financial crisis presents a tremendous opportunity for institutions which specialize in virtual and distance learning to gain acceptance for modern and innovative approaches within higher education.

These were among the preliminary conclusions of a meeting of over eighty presidents, rectors and executives from open and distance teaching universities held 20-21 November in Barcelona, Spain. Introducing the 16th annual Standing Conference of Presidents, Dr. Frits Pannekoek, President of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) and President of Athabasca University, Canada, noted that only through distance education can the number of higher education places worldwide be doubled to 300 million over the next decade.

The meeting, hosted by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Spain, focused on how to ensure continued and enhanced quality of service to the student and to society, and how to provide the global economy with the entrepreneurs and innovators of the future.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Xavier Sala-i-Martín, Professor of Economics at Columbia University, New York and Senior Economic Advisor to the World Economic Forum, Davos, called on university presidents to promote critical thinking to drive innovation, competitiveness and productivity in the world economy.

Participants noted that the student audience today has a diverse profile with varying levels of sophistication and points of entry. Potential students need access to learning rather than a designated place of learning, but universities must aim for higher graduation rates, focusing on retention as well as access. Participants noted the urgency for universities worldwide to foster the culture of network building through technology, and to maximize collaboration between the academic world and industry, for the sake of students’ motivation, and the relevance and value of their learning experience.

Sources of further information

The ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents:

The ICDE 2009 Standing Conference of Presidents website and programme:

Photographs:

Contact

Dr. Carl Holmberg, Secretary General, International Council for Open and Distance Education,

27 November 2009