Another milestone for OER: OERu will solve the credential challenge for OER learners

[Wayne Mackintosh]

Hi everyone,

In February this year, UNESCO and the OER Foundation announced the "OER university concept" which aims to provide free learning for all students worldwide. 

In November of the same year, thirteen Founding Anchor Partners comprising universities, colleges and polytechnics who will be able to accredit OER learning in Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America convened at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, New Zealand with guidance and support from UNESCO and the Commonwealth of Learning to plan the implementation of the OER university.  

We believe in open governance, open community participation and radical transparency. This planning meeting was conducted openly with active engagement from the international community with thanks to UNESCO's financial support to stream the meeting worldwide and technology support from BCcampus, Canada to enable collaborative breakouts for virtual participants. We also acknowledge the support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation who have provided support for the planning and implementation of the OERu concept.  

I invite you to consult the decisions taken by our Founding Anchor Partners.

If your institution is doubting the mainstream adoption of OER in the formal education sector, now is a good time to consider joining the OER Tertiary Education network and to be part of the future. 

We will achieve competitive advantage for accrediting OER learners worldwide, but in the spirit of open education we want to share this opportunity with all accredited institutions in the formal sector.

You will find a copy of the OERu 2011.11 meeting report on WikiEducator:

http://wikieducator.org/OER_university/2011.11_OERu_Meeting_summary

Earlier this year I intimated that 2011 would be a quantum shift year for seeding the mainstream adoption of OER in the formal education sector. Judging by our outputs from the OERu 2011.11 meeting, I think we have started a catalytic process for more sustainable education futures. You are free to join us.

Watch this space ....

Wayne

--
Wayne Mackintosh, Ph.D.
Director OER Foundation
Director, International Centre for Open Education,
Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand.
Founder and elected Community Council Member, WikiEducator
Mobile +64 21 2436 380
Skype: WGMNZ1
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