Cross-border teletraining

Launched in 1998 and completed at the end of 2000, the project was a joint venture of the Open Universiteit (OU) of Venlo in the Netherlands, the FernUniversität (FU) or "Tele-University" of Hagen in Germany, the Dutch municipality of Venlo and the German municipality of Krefeld. The objectives for the cross-border area were to encourage more people to access university and continuing training programmes, to raise the overall level of skills and in so doing promote skilled employment in the Euroregion. Together the two universities offer individuals and businesses of the Euroregion a large range of higher-education studies in German, Dutch or English. Combined German-Dutch programmes are planned in certain fields. The OU has also introduced a section for training in cross-border environmental management and the FU has created an Institute for European Law Studies. Students and businesses can also sign up for continuing training courses tailored to meet their needs and in particular that match the quality requirements of the businesses. A personalised guidance and counselling service for the students is available at all times, and they are also given the opportunity to participate in traineeships. Students have a complete Internet environment at their disposal, and they are provided with demonstration interactive CD-ROMs. In receiving distance training, they can also benefit from the help of tutors, participate in electronic forums and even engage in teleworking as "virtual employees" for companies. Each school decides on the conditions for registration on the basis of criteria more flexible than elsewhere. The higher education as well as the training programmes and traineeships lead to the awarding of diplomas or certificates recognised by both sides. This resolutely innovative system of education is largely bearing fruit, and EUVIKON's reputation is steadily growing; numerous contacts are now being established with firms and chambers of commerce or industry.