In search of a New Educational Model: The UNU Global Virtual University Harald Holt

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In search of a New Educational ModelThe UNU
Global Virtual UniversityHarald Holt
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Kofi Annan's IT challenge, 6 Nov 2002.

• We need to think of ways to bring wireless
  fidelity (Wi-Fi) applications to the developing
  world, so as to make use of unlicensed radio
  spectrum to deliver cheap and fast Internet
  access.
• We also need to explore the possibility of
  creating an open international university.

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Partners

• A Collaboration between
• United Nations University (UNU)
• Agder University College (AUC)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• UNEP/GRID-Arendal
• and a global network of participating
  Universities.

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The signing event.
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• 
  UNEP established in 1972 in
  Nairobi.
• the principal UN environmental body
• the leading global environmental authority
  setting the global environmental agenda
• promotes the coherent implementation of the
  environmental dimension of sustainable
  development within the UN system.

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• GRID-Arendal history.
• 1989 Established as GRID-center
• - Responsibility for the Nordic countries and
  Polar areas
• 1995 - Responsibility for environment network in
  Eastern Europe - 29 countries
• 1995 - Responsibility for UNEPnet
• 1999 - UNEP polar key center
• 2001 Official UNEP center
• - Key center for environment information
  systems and information for decision making
• - Technical responsibility for UNEP commitment
  on the Internet (UNEP.Net)
• Environment network for Africa

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About the UNU

• Established 25 years ago
• HQ in Tokyo, 13 Research Training Centres
  around the world
• Annual budget of US36 million
• 211 staff from 30 countries
• Bridge between UN and academia
• Partnerships with over 30 UN organizations and
  more than 100 research institutions globally
• Capacity building for developing countries

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Agder University College (AUC)
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AUC and GVU (UNU-Arendal)

• AUCs strengths
• E-learning One of the most advanced research
  and teaching institutions in Norway.
• ICT ICT pedagogy
• Environment Development issues
• Exchange programs and bilateral cooperation

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AUC a partner in the Network University

• The Network University Partnership of 9
  Norwegian universities and colleges collaborating
  to provide university and college education on
  the Internet.
• Courses are produced by the member institutions.
• Currently, the NVU has 150 credit courses on the
  web, ranging from 2 to 10 credits. NVU is the
  major Norwegian provider of higher education on
  the Internet.

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AUC a partner inmENU Model for a
European Networked University for e-learning

• mENU 9 European partner universities and
  university colleges from Norway, Sweden, Finland,
  Spain, Portugal, Greece and UK.
• The partners Core of a future permanent ENU
  offering courses and degree programmes across
  Europe.
• ICT extensively applied for learning
  environment, virtual mobility of students and
  staff, administration, contact and information.
• Dissemination of findings will make the model
  and the consortium available to other
  institutions.

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The UNU branch in Arendal Global Virtual
University (GVU)
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Partner InstitutionsUNU-UNEP/GRID-AUC Network
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Products/deliveries

• A high quality Master Degree in Environment and
  Development studies
• Courses (credit giving) in Environment and
  Development
• Modules prepared in co-operation between
  universities in South and North, UNEP and UNU
• Delivered to students through a virtual
  university concept
• Build capacities in universities in developing
  countries to use ICT in education.

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GEDS

• M.Sc. programme delivered by the GVU network.
• Interdisciplinary study based on three scientific
  disciplines
• Technical/engineering sciences,
• natural sciences, and
• social sciences.
• Components from law and philosophy will come in
  addition.
• Main focus will be on environment and
  development.

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The students will select one of the six following
specialisations

• Environmental Information Management.
• Management of sustainable development
• Fresh Water Management.
• Marine Resource Management.
• Land Use Management.
• Health and Environmental Management.

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Duration four semesters.

• First semester Core courses in environment,
  development, on-line studies and scientific
  methods
• Second semester Select specialisation.
  Theoretical course work, practical training in
  relevant instruments and techniques for resource
  mapping, surveillance and management .
• Third semester Training in research methodology
  and data collection (fieldwork or lab-work) for
  the thesis.
• Fourth semester Data processing and writing up
  of thesis

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International diploma

• While the final degree will be issued by AUC, in
  the transcript it will be stated which
  institution in the partner network has delivered
  the individual course.
• It will be stated on the documents that UNU is
  the over-all responsible for the programme.

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Generic model for course production team
Multimedia designer
Software support
Course manager
Educational technologist
Content specialists
Graphical designer
Librarian
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GEDS - Tutor

• GVU/GEDS plans to have one tutor for each group
  of students (e.g. 3-10 students). The tutor
  should preferably be connected to the local
  university where there is a group of GEDS
  students.

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Technical Concept
Online education
UNU Arendal
Internet
Courseware Production using LMS and CMS
Distribution of courseware Interaction
Partner University
Partner University
Distribution via local server
Distribution via local server
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