Brazil ABED, 2010

Dr. Frits Pannekoek

2

Participation in Higher Education has Skyrocketed

28.6 million in 1970 to 152.5 million in 2007 (5x)

THE PROMISE OF OPEN & DISTANCE LEARNING

In the last few decades ODL universities have led the way in mass higher education, reaching many more learners than would otherwise have been possible

E-Books

5

Open & Distance Learning

6

7

But there are Barriers and Restrictions

8

Barriers and Restrictions: Some Examples

HERA United States American students studying

through foreign distance education institutions are ineligible for U.S. federal government student loan funding.

9

Other Examples - China

In the People’s Republic of China, students from foreign institutions not accredited by the government will find themselves unable to secure funding or entrance to Chinese graduate schools.

10

Other Examples (continued)

Malaysia- Government restrictions on the number of credits that can be taken by distance (Malaysia)

India- Control of distance University quality?

Canada UK Others

11

12

13

Perceived lack of quality in

ODL?

.

14

15

Fear of Degree Mills?

The integrity of the global higher education system is threatened by the increase in bogus operations known as degree mills.

16

The Challenge?

17

Can we respond to the challenges

•Can we meet the quality challenge?

• Can we deal with the new barriers?

•The future depends on us and our imagination!

18

Thank you