Virtual Colombo Plan
The VCP is a new knowledge transfer programme for Asia and Africa. Whilst the original “Colombo Plan” – launched in 1950 – mainly financed the studies of Asian students in Australian universities, the VCP will bring learning to students wherever they may be. The Internet and appropriate applications will be the platform to do so.
Australian educational institutions are well prepared to deliver. 12 major Australian universities offer fully fledged academic distance learning programmes and have enrolled about 95 000 students in Australia and abroad. The infrastructure to educate from already exists and has been developed over more than 10 years: curricula, administration, teacher training, e-learning facilities.
In 2001 the VCP set up the logistics and infrastructure for the entire 4 years programme. Synergie will be achieved through linking the VCP with already existing other programmes, such as the African Virtual University, the Global Development Learning Network and the Global Gateway.
"The Virtual Colombo Plan provides a package of initiatives that address:
- Basic education - ICT for better basic education for children and youth
- Higher education - ICT for better higher education
- Knowledge infrastructure - ICT for better access to global knowledge
- Knowledge dissemination - Australian research and knowledge extended globally
- New Learning opportunities for policy makers.
Following the announcement of the VCP initiative, AusAID has been active in developing VCP activities.
Australia's aid program:
- is improving basic education in a range of developing countries (e.g. Fiji and PNG), both through upgrading the skills of basic education teachers through distance education, and improving their governments' capacity in this area
- has helped establish a Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN) centre in China, and is assessing opportunities for establishing similar centres in other developing countries in our region
- is planning to deliver virtual scholarships in 2002/03. These are undertaken within country programs. AusAID country programs currently implementing or considering virtual scholarships programs are: China, East Timor, Indonesia, Mongolia, PNG, the Philippines, and Samoa.
- Australia is a founding member of the Gateway Foundation - which should become a significant means for the electronic exchange of information on development issues
- has developed and tendered a project to improve the capacity of the African Virtual University to deliver quality, relevant courses that address Africa's development needs.
Over 70 current or planned AusAID projects have significant ICT elements. Most VCP activities will continue to be developed within individual country programs."
Quote from the AusAID website, 15 August 2002.
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