PANEL REPORT
Carlos Bielschowsky, Wolfram Laaser, (Late) Robin Mason,
Albert Sangra and Abrar Hasan (Chair)
Prepared for
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HIGHER
EDUCATION, PORTUGAL
July 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
I.1 Mandate
I.2 Meaning of Distance Learning
I.3 Approach adopted by the Panel
I.4 Structure of the Report
II. CONTEXT AND TRENDS
II.1 International trends in distance learning
II.2 Distance Learning in Portugal
III. POLICY CHALLENGES AND APPROACHES
III.1 Challenges for policy
III.2 The case for expanding the DL sector
III.3 How much expansion?
III.4 Approaches to expanding the sector
III.5 Four key areas for action
IV. CHOOSING THE RIGHT STRUCTURE OF PROVISION
IV.1 The current structure of provision
IV.2 Expanded programme offers by UAb
IV.3 The need for institutional collaboration
IV.4 The scope for collaboration
V. IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PROVISION
V.1 Strengthening research and innovation
V.2 Ensuring quality assurance
VI. FINANCING DISTANCE LEARNING
VI.1 Orders of magnitude for major expansion
VI.2 The scope for cost-sharing
VI.3 Reforming the funding arrangements
VII. FACILITATIVE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AND INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES VII.1 Legislative and regulatory framework VII.2 Institutional regulations and practices VIII. CONCLUSION APPENDICES 1. List of institutional submissions 2. Visit schedule 3. Data and Graphs 4. Panel 5. Terms of reference (mandate)