The online magazine Educamericas publishes an interview with ISTEC President Dulce García.

Como virtualizar la oferta educativa con calidad: Promoviendo, desarrollando y evaluando la formación virtual.

La universidad es una de las instituciones clave de la sociedad, siempre lo ha sido, pero esa importancia adquiere una relevancia especial en la actual sociedad de la información y el conocimiento.

Para mantener ese liderazgo en la sociedad, hoy la universidad esta en proceso de cambio. Las TIC han permeado todos los niveles y sectores sociales sentando importantes bases para esa transformación. Todo ello ha generado una interesante relación entre la universidad, generadora y difusora de conocimiento y la sociedad de la información y el conocimiento. En ese contexto, la tecnología y su potencial catalizador están generando condiciones propicias para el desarrollo del camino a la virtualizacion y a la creación de redes. Tanto en la oferta académica presencial como a distancia, la universidad puede por esta vía, superar el marco físico del aula para contribuir a la construcción de un continuo formativo que alimente y enriquezca la sociedad de la información y el conocimiento. Esto se ha convertido en un imperativo para la universidad actual que deberá preocuparse y ocuparse, además de la calidad de su estructura académica y pedagógica, por la estructura tecnológica que soporte los cambios requeridos. Estas preocupaciones serán el centro y nos mantendrán ocupados en esta Conferencia Internacional.

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By Li Yuan and Stephen Powell, JISC CETIS. March 2013
http://publications.cetis.ac.uk/2013/667

This report sets out to help decision makers in higher education institutions gain a better understanding of the phenomenon of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) and trends towards greater openness in higher education and to think about the implications for their institutions. The phenomena of MOOCs are described, placing them in the wider context of open education, online learning and the changes that are currently taking place in higher education at a time of globalisation of education and constrained budgets. The report is written from a UK higher education perspective, but is largely informed by the developments in MOOCs from the USA and Canada. A literature review was undertaken focusing on the extensive reporting of MOOCs through blogs, press releases as well as openly available reports. This identified current debates about new course provision, the impact of changes in funding and the implications for greater openness in higher education. The theory of disruptive innovation is used to help form the questions of policy and strategy that higher education institutions need to address.

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University of Cundinamarca, Colombia was awarded the ISTEC-GRANA™ Certificate of Quality on March 25th, 2013 during the ISTEC-ECEDHA workshop. In attendance were Dr. Adolfo Polo, Rector; Dr. Rogelio Rigual, Vicerector; and Dr. Jorge Reales, Engineering Dean

Dr. Mónica Luque, Director of ISTEC’s ACE (Advanced Continuing Education) Initiative granted an in-depth interview for the renowned magazine “Revista AMERiCA LEARNiNG & MEDiA“. ISTEC-ACE is also launching a menu of courses and certifications in on-line learning in May 2013!  

Aldebaran Robotics, France: Has formed a new strategic partnership with ISTEC that will promote the procurement and training of NAO robots among the ISTEC community, and the development of a state-of-the-art NAO contest in the region.   

ISTEC conducted a workshop during the 2013 ECEDHA Conference: “Quality in Education, New Educational Models and Innovation”, 25th – 26th March, Orlando, FL. Even if you did not attend, you can download presentations and view photo gallery here

The 2013 ISTEC Student Challenge is accepting applications through April 30th on:
* Projects that address environmental needs: water, energy, recycling AND
* Projects that provide low-cost solutions for underrepresented communities (rural, indigenous, etc)