More news from University College Cork. The European Union has recognised the Centre for Co-operative Studies there, under Dr Michael Ward, and the Centre for Adult and Continuing Education, under Dr Martin O Fathaigh, for their diploma in distance learning under the EU's Horizon Programme.
In the past three years, almost 500 participants from different EU institutions took part in the programme and submitted their projects to an EU seminar (Integra) at Barcelona last month.
The idea was to bring all the distance-learning projects together in one place and to select the best as models for a pan-European initiative.
About 130 Irish projects went forward and two were selected: the UCC programme and one from a Dublin-based community project.
The institutions displayed their learning techniques and how best to employ them. The EU initiative was designed to provide accredited training for those involved in community development work, particularly in social integration and enterprise.
Its aim is to reduce disadvantage, local unemployment, and enhance community life.
The course targeted people working with community development agencies; those involved with unemployment action groups; travellers' groups; and voluntary as well as paid workers involved in self-help projects and community issues.
Following the Integra seminar, academic institutions throughout Europe will continue to interact as will local development agencies.
Unlike the Open University, this distance-learning project is text based. The participants receive manuals through the post but there are tutorials at given times in the colleges.
The idea is to deliver learning programmes to those outside the university campus.