Long Distance Learning
The Long Distance Learning initiative provides a global opportunity for practitioners, students and researchers to exchange their knowledge on Public-Private Partnerships in a structured manner. It responds to the need for a broader sharing of how to use these promising new approaches to solve urban environmental problems. It encourages the international exchange on PPP theory and practice through modern information technology. Most importantly, it helps meet the major objective of the PPPUE Programme -- building the local capacity and expertise on PPP in developing countries.Universities are strong entry points for knowledge management, information exchange, and the training of future experts. UNDP and Yale University initiated the Long Distance Learning effort as a flexible instrument for Universities and other training institutions world-wide to use to design joint classes on PPP for their students and to facilitate the exchange of information between the participating Universities. As a first experience, the Research Clinic 99 involved faculty and students at Yale University, USA, and the University of Western Cape, South Africa, as well as individual researchers in Great Britain and China.
Course Set-Up
The next Long Distance Learning course is scheduled for the first semester of 2000. Up to 12 Universities from all continents can participate. The course consists involves regular classes in each university (locally led and organised by a responsible teacher), along with international discussions and exchange of experiences through the internet. The course is aimed at advanced students (masters level or similar), in any of the different disciplines related to urban environmental issues or public-private management.
The course will build on the experiences and materials gathered during the Research Clinic 98 and Research Clinic 99. However, during the second semester of 1999, all participating Universities will be able to review the course structure and materials, and then to modify them as necessary to best fit their particular context. The course has two main components:
1) Professors at 12 universities world-wide will lead lecture and discussion sessions with their respective students based on the jointly designed materials; and
2) Students will research local PPP initiatives in their particular country and share information and ideas regularly with students doing similar analyses in other countries.
Internet facilities
The international discussions are held through email and other internet based communication tools. To support the international exchange, the UNDP/Yale Collaborative Programme set up a special website on the Yale University server, which includes:
1) An area to download and upload:
- Lecture notes
- Readings that correspond to each lecture
- Charts that complement the lecture notes
- Class summaries
- Additional articles and learning materials
3) A chatroom which allows real-time discussions over the internet
The results of Long Distance Learning course will be reviewed and posted on the UNDP PPPUE website for use by the global audience interested in learning more about practical research on PPPs.
How can a University participate?
Universities or Research Institutes are invited to apply for participation in the PPPUE Long Distance Learning course 2000. We especially encourage Universities from developing countries to join us in this exciting new learning experience.
The following conditions will need to be met by each participating University:
1) Recognise the Long Distance Learning course as a regular part of its academic cycle for the period from January through June 2000
2) Assign a dedicated academic who will, over the 1999/2000 academic year:
- participate actively in the preparation of the course
- organise the class in his/her school or faculty
- serve as lecturer and moderator for the clinic sessions
- determine the credits and grades local students will receive for their work in the course
For additional information or to apply for the PPPUE Long Distance Learning course 2000, please contact Professor Brad Gentry, Director of the UNDP/Yale Collaborative Programme on the Urban Environment.