ENUCE Ülle Kesli Estonian Network for University Continuing Education

ENUCE was established in 30 January 2001 in Tartu as an informal and voluntary union of 8 Estonian universities

Members in 2006  Estonian Academy of Arts  Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre  Estonian University of Life Sciences  Tallinn University  Tallinn University of Technology  University of Tartu

ENUCE acts through  meetings twice a year (the leading role is rotating)  ing list for sharing information and holding discussion  common activities that are agreed on for each year (task forces with appointed leaders and responsible teams for certain time)

Aims  To promote the idea of important role of the UCE in Estonian Universities through  co-operation among universities' management and academic staff  joint conferences and seminars  To enhance staff development in  open and distance teaching  adult and continuing education  joint courses and publications  To facilitate joint activities focused on the development of Quality Assurance Systems in UCE  To facilitate links between UCE and society

Possible areas of cooperation  Exchange of information  Research in UCE  development of UCE project managers and teaching staff  Participation in working out legal acts regulating UCE  Publications on UCE Evaluation of UCE management systems  Mutual recognition of qualifications  Joint courses

Pros & cons of informal network Pros  informal cooperation requires less formalities and bureaucracy  lower level participation  lower costs Cons  no leader to keep the network active (rotating leader has other responsibilities, lack of time, etc)  network cannot lead the projects  lower influence in decision-making process

Quality assurance More attention to the  motivation of academic staff  skills of teachers and administrators  curricula and continuing education programmes

Motivation of academic staff  for developing  continuing education courses  courses for adults  ICT based courses  using new methods  financial and technical support in development phase of e-courses  support in tutoring  etc

Skills of teachers and administrators  courses for  teachers  administrators  programme leaders  support staff  customer-oriented attitude

Curricula and continuing education programmes  composing and development phase  programme leaders (responsible for the development and management)  advising councils (representatives of employers, students, professionals, academics)  balance between  lessons and independent work  theory and practical skills  requirements for the  study materials  handouts

Thank you!