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Product category: Internet and Electronic Resources for Engineers
News Release from: Technology Innovation Centre
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 19 July 2004

E-learning engine aids distance training

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The Cisco Learning Institute has chosen to award the University of Central England's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) its UK licence for an advanced e-learning engine.

The Cisco Learning Institute (CLI), e-learning subsidiary of giant US computer networking corporation, Cisco Systems, has chosen to award the University of Central England's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) its UK licence for an advanced e-learning engine Known as Virtuoso, this unique software program has been derived from Cisco's extensive experience through its own online distance training over several years

Virtuoso-style distance-learning strategies have ensured global consistency throughout Cisco's training programmes.

Now, through recently formed CLI, the corporation is making this advanced technology available on the open market to any organisation seeking to use e-learning.

Virtuoso is a commercial platform that provides end-users with online, learning programmes for individuals, or groups.

These might be their employees or students, their customers or clients.

Such programmes can be delivered anywhere in the world.

An ever-increasing demand is being stimulated in a shrinking world for knowledge sharing.

CLI is establishing strategic Virtuoso partnerships, such as the one with the TIC, worldwide.

Prof Ian Oakes, the TIC's Commercial Director, says: "Organisations often find it difficult to provide individual students or trainees with support in distant locations".

"Virtuoso overcomes the problem by providing a means by which each individual can have their progress measured against the e-learning engine's inbuilt assessment standards".

Cisco's already well established relationship with the TIC has seen the Birmingham-based advanced technology centre become the US corporation's leading training academy covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Chris Dedicoat, Group Vice President at Cisco Systems, describes the University of Central England as: "a terrific example of a forward looking university focusing on technology through its Technology Innovation Centre - TIC".

The new Virtuoso-based partnership between TIC and CLI is already the basis of the Advance project - a European Social Fund supported programme awarded to TIC by the Birmingham and Solihull Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Advance sees TIC creating manufacturing-related training modules to be delivered in conjunction with further education colleges.

The objective is to enable students reach NVQ level 3 qualifications in relevant disciplines.

This project has been developed under the aegis of the Birmingham and Solihull New Technology Institute (NTI).

NTIs have been created regionally as part of the Government's initiative to widen participation in higher education and improve the level of co-operation between education and the business community.

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