Recently we distributed the 2015 Mid-year report to all the Vice-Chancellors,
Presidents and Chief Executives of the OERu partner institutions.
I would like to share the feedback we received from Maxim Jean-Louis, Chief
Executive of Contact North | Contact Nord in Ontario, Canada.
"Dear Wayne
I have now had the opportunity to review the various documents you have sent
capturing progress on OERu – both the Annual Report and the strategic plan. I
have also taken the liberty of sharing it with my Contact North I Contact Nord
colleagues as a must read.
Let me begin my comments by congratulating you and the core team at OERu for
steering this work in such a clear and focused way. Many of these kinds of
developments have a stop-start history or, worse, a stop-stop history. You and
the team have ensured that this work not only continues, but inspires and
enables as well as grows. This deserves all of our thanks and support. Thank
you.
My comments will focus on the short but helpful paper from the strategic
planning working group. My main focus is on the areas of strategic intentions
and translating strategy into action in complex markets (in Ontario this
involves 24 public colleges, 22 public universities and 250 literacy and basic
skills and training providers), especially higher education. With a background
at both Athabasca University in Alberta and Contact North in Ontario, I know
how challenging this can be.
Here are my observations:
· Securing 60% of institutional plans from partners is a significant
achievement, especially given complex market dynamics affecting each of them.
As a member of the ICDE executive, I am acutely aware of the impact markets are
having on key institutions (e.g. the OU UK and Athabasca). We should all help
you to ensure that you receive the balance of these plans, where our influence
permits
· Engagement through participation in planning groups is a sign of
support but also commitment. It is good to see that OERu is achieving such a
high rate of engagement. I am also pleased to see the reports of this work,
which as so freely available. I am especially encouraged to see action on
PLAR/Credit Transfer – a strong focus on learning mobility is a key factor in
the development of OER and ODL.
· The strong fiscal foundation for OERu is also an encouraging sign for
the future. It’s good to see such strong support of the idea of the OERu
turning into fiscal support, which in turn enables many members of the network
seeing a return on their in kind and financial contribution in the shape of
courses, programs and other developments.
The next stage for the development of the OERu will be critical – moving from
early stage to mezzanine development always is. To achieve these “stretch”
2017 goals:
· 80 full course equivalent nominations (cumulative) by 31 December 2017
· 50 full course equivalents completed for delivery
· 50% of OERu partners have nominated their 2nd course contribution.
· 3 additional programs (cumulative) leading to alternate exit
credentials (over and above the Bachelor of General Studies)
will require a great deal of mutual trust, collaboration and open development.
Given the partnerships around the table and progress to date, I am sure that
these stretch goals can be achieved.
As you are aware, Contact North | Contact Nord does not develop or design
courses – it helps Ontario’s 22 universities and 24 colleges make them
available to those often under-represented in post-secondary education ( 600
small , rural, remote, Aboriginal and francophone communities distributed on a
territory that spans 1 million square kilometres and supports their delivery.
We stand by to help OERu achieve its goals and fulfill its ambitious vision of
ensuring that all learners have affordable access to higher education.
Maxim"
Presidents and Chief Executives of the OERu partner institutions.
I would like to share the feedback we received from Maxim Jean-Louis, Chief
Executive of Contact North | Contact Nord in Ontario, Canada.
"Dear Wayne
I have now had the opportunity to review the various documents you have sent
capturing progress on OERu – both the Annual Report and the strategic plan. I
have also taken the liberty of sharing it with my Contact North I Contact Nord
colleagues as a must read.
Let me begin my comments by congratulating you and the core team at OERu for
steering this work in such a clear and focused way. Many of these kinds of
developments have a stop-start history or, worse, a stop-stop history. You and
the team have ensured that this work not only continues, but inspires and
enables as well as grows. This deserves all of our thanks and support. Thank
you.
My comments will focus on the short but helpful paper from the strategic
planning working group. My main focus is on the areas of strategic intentions
and translating strategy into action in complex markets (in Ontario this
involves 24 public colleges, 22 public universities and 250 literacy and basic
skills and training providers), especially higher education. With a background
at both Athabasca University in Alberta and Contact North in Ontario, I know
how challenging this can be.
Here are my observations:
· Securing 60% of institutional plans from partners is a significant
achievement, especially given complex market dynamics affecting each of them.
As a member of the ICDE executive, I am acutely aware of the impact markets are
having on key institutions (e.g. the OU UK and Athabasca). We should all help
you to ensure that you receive the balance of these plans, where our influence
permits
· Engagement through participation in planning groups is a sign of
support but also commitment. It is good to see that OERu is achieving such a
high rate of engagement. I am also pleased to see the reports of this work,
which as so freely available. I am especially encouraged to see action on
PLAR/Credit Transfer – a strong focus on learning mobility is a key factor in
the development of OER and ODL.
· The strong fiscal foundation for OERu is also an encouraging sign for
the future. It’s good to see such strong support of the idea of the OERu
turning into fiscal support, which in turn enables many members of the network
seeing a return on their in kind and financial contribution in the shape of
courses, programs and other developments.
The next stage for the development of the OERu will be critical – moving from
early stage to mezzanine development always is. To achieve these “stretch”
2017 goals:
· 80 full course equivalent nominations (cumulative) by 31 December 2017
· 50 full course equivalents completed for delivery
· 50% of OERu partners have nominated their 2nd course contribution.
· 3 additional programs (cumulative) leading to alternate exit
credentials (over and above the Bachelor of General Studies)
will require a great deal of mutual trust, collaboration and open development.
Given the partnerships around the table and progress to date, I am sure that
these stretch goals can be achieved.
As you are aware, Contact North | Contact Nord does not develop or design
courses – it helps Ontario’s 22 universities and 24 colleges make them
available to those often under-represented in post-secondary education ( 600
small , rural, remote, Aboriginal and francophone communities distributed on a
territory that spans 1 million square kilometres and supports their delivery.
We stand by to help OERu achieve its goals and fulfill its ambitious vision of
ensuring that all learners have affordable access to higher education.
Maxim"