UTech is represented through the CEODL Unit in a number of continuing education and distance learning projects and networks. Current and prospective activities are outlined below:
Caribbean Universities Project for Integrated Distance Education (CUPIDE).
Background to the Project:
On January 17, 2003, the University of the West Indies (UWI) signed a three-year project agreement with UNESCO for Human Resource Development in Electronically Enhanced Teaching, Administration and Material Distribution Project. Funded by the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for Capacity-building in the amount of US$1,118,426, and designed in association with CARICOM, the project is a collaborative initiative involving the following co-beneficiaries: UWI – Executing Entity, University of Guyana, University of Quisqueya (Haiti), University of Suriname, University of Technology
Development Objective:
To develop the human resources within the region through enabling each of the five participating universities to develop and deliver quality distance education programmes using information and communication technologies.
PADHRUS
Background to the Project:
PADHRUS refers to a “Distance Learning Programme on the Decentralized Management of Human Resource.” The Pan-American Health Organization conceived the programme for professionals connected to the different levels of the health services network, and for the basic management of working groups/staff in the service. (Pan-American Health Organization).
Development Objectives:
To contribute to the transformation and improvement of the work organization in health in the context of health sector reform, ultimately benefiting the quality of care offered to the population. The course is conceived to be flexible, in order to adapt to the different socio-political and cultural realities, as well as to the different levels of technical infrastructure available. The themes of the course are critical not only from a theoretical point of view, but mix in relevant questions to the every day situation of health services (Pan-American Health Organization).
Global Development Learning Network (GDLN)
Background to the Network
The GDLN is an interactive, multi-channel network with a mandate to serve the developing world. It is a flexible system linking together a global network of learning centers. GDLN provides learning opportunities for stakeholders in the development community through capacity building programs to help countries bridge the knowledge divide. The GDLN’s goals are to reach across geographic borders, time zones, and language barriers and to improve decision-making through access to real-life experience shared by experts, practitioners and decision makers. (Global Development Learning Network, Memorandum of Understanding)
The University has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Bank to be a GDLN Learning Centre, which will operate out of the Technology Innovation Centre on the UTech campus.
Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN)
Background to the Network
In November of 2002, the Prime Ministers of seven Eastern Caribbean states met with the President of the World Bank in St. Kitts. One of the key issues discussed was the need to diversify the economies of the Caribbean, through the promotion of institutional innovation, new technologies and regional cooperation embodied in the concept of the Centre of Excellence (Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network concept paper).
Development Objectives:
The overall goal is to enhance the global competitiveness of countries in the region by upgrading and diversifying the skills and knowledge of human resources in the region through greater regional collaboration and connectivity (Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network concept paper)
There are three specific objectives:
- to improve the relevance of tertiary education and training by increasing the number of accredited tertiary education programs recognized internationally for their excellence.
- to establish a Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network to strengthen tertiary institutions, foster specialization and knowledge sharing.
- to ensure the convergence of fragmented regional and international initiatives to maximize the results in the area of tertiary and distance education.
The University will be an initiating partner with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States' (OECS) Education Reform Unit in the implementation of the CKLN.
The University participated on February 17th –18th, 2004 in a workshop in Grenada launching the CKLN initiative.