UNU-Global Virtual University (Phase 2)

Under the auspices of the United Nations University (UNU) the Global Virtual University (GVU) is a consortium of universities that work together to enhance online learning for environmental sustainability. The consortium acknowledges the importance of education for development and is particularly designed to meet the educational needs of the developing world. Online learning (e-learning) forms the basic educational method for all of the study programmes and courses. This implies that a substantial part of teaching, collaboration, and supervision take place on the Internet. The pedagogy has a social constructivist approach, which means that group work, online discussions and joint assignments are important. It further implies that an active and regular participation among the students is essential. Students meet their classmates in virtual classrooms, in some cases supported by a face to face session in the beginning of the course. The UNU-GVU Phase 1 was launched in September 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development and has been showcased at a number of preparatory committee meetings during WSIS. The initial phase was funded by the Government of Norway for four years ending in 2006. An evaluation study has been initiated by the Government of Norway with a view to assessing the achievements to date and the future development path of the UNU-GVU. Although the final decision is still pending, it is envisaged that Phase 2 of the UNU-GVU would commence in 2007 focusing on supporting universities mainly in Africa. This would contribute directly to the implementation of WSIS action lines in relation to online learning and bridging the digital divide. http://www.gvu.unu.edu/ This project has been submitted to the Golden Book database.

http://www.onlinelearning.unu.edu/

International implementation

Planned for future from to 2015

United Nations Environment Programme UNEP GRID Arendal Agder University College, Norway Kwame Nkumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana Makerere University, Uganda Mekelle University, Ethiopia Mzumbe University, Tanzania University of Pretoria, South Africa University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

* Access to information and knowledge
* Capacity building
* ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life
* International and regional cooperation

• Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
• Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

• Project
• Training initiative