University18

University18 is an large scale e-education venture based out of India.

India currently has 3.5 Million learners in the Distance Learning system, at the Higher Education Level. This number is 25% of the entire enrollment in this segment. The recently announced 11nth Plan proposes to increase this to 40% of total enrollment, increasing the figure to more than 5.6 million learners. To achieve this target, the focus of the 11nth plan is to make our Distance Learning systems and Universities 'Technology Enabled', and to provide students with Virtual Technology based distance Learning Options.

"There is a clear need to improve the quality of ODE and to make it more appropriate to the needs of society. It is just as important to expand opportunities in higher education through the use of technology in ODE."

Setting up more ODL institutions is imperative to meet the planned targets. The following are the four indispensable requirements to meet the challenges:

   * Create a relevant, flexible, innovative curriculum and formulate quality study material.
   * Ensure efficient student support services.
   * Make sure there is a responsive and effectively managed educational administration.
   * Encourage high quality systemic research and development in all departments.

University18 is an initiative in this direction, and works with Indian Universities in a Public –Private Partnership, developing and delivering Accredited Degree and Diploma Programs to the Indian Learner around the Nation.

Advances in the availability of High Speed Internet Access around India, coupled with increased computer penetration in the recent times have made it possible to use advances in Video Conferencing and Web Conferencing software technology, making a Virtual Classroom Platform that is light enough on bandwidth and processor requirements to be used on normal home computers and laptops, using a regular residential internet connection.

This presents significant advances over the currently available Virtual Classroom Technology Platforms, which rely on providing point 2 point P2P connections, between Studio's at Institution Ends, and the others at 'Physical Classroom ' Centers spread across the map, all connected by and Enterprise level network, usually a VSAT Link.

The Re.Vica Project of the European Commission, describes U18 thus - “ University18, a nonprofit private-sector initiative (currently in partnership with the Karnataka State Open University), represents a significant development in the region which may well have great impact in the near future. “

University18 currently has tie ups with the Karnataka State Open University, and IIM Shillong.

Also See University18 Business School