In 1987, ICTR and UNESCO approached a new initiative in higher education. This approach later on became a norm in the training industry and was labeled as Blended eLearning. The product of this co-operation was the International Technological University (ITU). ITU fulfilled the dream of some leaders of technological, industry and some eminent academics in the field – a dream whose fulfillment would make it possible for people in developing countries to be educated and trained to the highest levels of modern technology.

  ITU’s strength is apparent in the list of eminent academia, educators and engineers who formed the Planning Board of ITU. These experts helped develop its structure and programmes. Some members of the Planning Board were as follows (positions were true at that time):

Lord Perry of Walton, OBE, MD, DSc, FRCP, FRS (Chairman)
Former Vice Chancellor of the Open University, UK.

D A Blackburn, PhD
UNESCO, Paris

Sir Monty Finniston, FEng, DSc, FRS
Ex-Chairman on British Steel Corporation, UK

Professor G S Holister, MSc, PhD
Director of Technological Research & Higher Education, UNESCO

Dr Mr G J Leibbrandt
Secretary General, European Association of Distance Teaching Universities, The Netherlands

Prof Dr Dr h c (mult) Otto Peters
FernUniversität Gesamthochschule, Hagen, Germany
 

  How ITU Works
   International Technological University usually selects its courses materials from existing high-quality courses prepared by eminent academic institutions. This material is then modified as necessary to include local relevant technologies. The course material will then be assessed by external examiners to ensure that it is of the highest possible standard and that the courses qualify for professional recognition.

  The courses comprise a mix of media including written texts, audio-video materials, face to face tutorials, and if necessary, supervised laboratory work appropriate to the needs of the subject.

 

  The Benefits
   Those local educational institutions who co-operate with ITU to implement ITU programmes in their institutions, benefit from the following points:

   • Access to high quality of teaching materials from eminent international education institutes
   • Access to new teaching methodologies
   • Effective technology transfer
   • Recognition courses by professional institutions in many countries
   • Stimulation of local research activity
   • Increased opportunities for collaboration with other academics through access to an international  network of academics and educational institutions.
   • Improved mobility and exchange of personnel between institutions
   • Low cost – high quality education for their students

For many students whom access to higher education has previously been impossible, there will be an opportunity to realise their full potential.
 

  International Masters Degree Programmes

   To date ICTR has initiated, developed and managed a number of such programmes in different countries. All these programmes have been sponsored by the Commission of the European Communities (CEC)’s TEMPUS Programmes. In each case programme objectives have been:

(a) To produce locally Masters graduates whose knowledge and skills are in line with those of graduates graduating from good western universities. In all cases highest possible quality standards have been achieved through the services of independent external examiners charged with the responsibility of ensuring that such standards are achieved and maintained. They do so by monitoring the activities of the programme and by making strategic interventions.

Candidates who complete the requirements of the course (passing written and oral examinations as well as defending of a mandatory thesis to be written by each candidate with a significant degree of originality) and satisfy the examiners are awarded the European Masters Degree Certificate which is advisedly unique in Europe.

(b) To upgrade knowledge and skills of local teachers involved in programme to west European quality standards. Also, to upgrade and update knowledge and skills of local in-service professionals from government ministries and agencies, enterprises, universities and institutions of higher education, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), research institutions etc. by enabling them to attend lectures and practical classes (along with full-time students) on one or more subjects that are professionally important to them.

(c) To change the existing academic culture of the host (beneficiary) universities to west European culture with particular regard to student and staff evaluation, the former based on both written and oral examinations.
  

  List of ICTR’s educational programmes in Eastern Europe :

• European Masters Degree in Eco-oriented Mechanical Engineering (1990-1993), Gdansk, Poland.
Beneficiary institution(s): Technical University of Gdansk.
Sponsor: Commission of the European Communities. Contract number: CEC Tempus JEP-00028.

• European Masters Degree in Environmental Science & Engineering (1990-1993), Budapest, Hungary.
Beneficiary institution(s): Technical University of Budapest; Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest.
Sponsor: Commission of the European Communities. Contract number: CEC Tempus JEP-00238.

• European Masters Degree in Eco-oriented Energy Management & Mechanical Engineering (1991-
1994), Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Beneficiary institution(s): Technical University of Cluj-Napoca and Transylvania University of Brasov.
Sponsor: Commission of the European Communities. Contract number: CEC Tempus JEP-03503.

• European Masters Degree in Environmental Monitoring, Control & Health (1991-1994), Sofia, Bulgaria.
Beneficiary institution(s): University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, and ‘D. Tsenov’ Economic University, Svishtov, Bulgaria.
Sponsor: Commission of the European Communities. Contract number: CEC Tempus JEP-01815.

• European Masters Degree in Eco-Integrated Mechanical Engineering (1994-1997), Gdansk, Poland*.
Beneficiary institution(s): Technical Universities of Gdansk and Szeczecin.
Sponsor: Commission of the European Communities. Contract number: CEC Tempus JEP-07206.

• European Masters Degree in Environmental Protection & Sustainable Development (1994-1997), Sofia, Bulgaria. Beneficiary institution(s): University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, and ‘D. Tsenov’ Economic University, Svishtov, Bulgaria.
Sponsor: Commission of the European Communities. Contract number: CEC Tempus JEP-07209.

• European Masters Degree in Environmental Management (1993-1996), Ankara and Alexandria.
Beneficiary institution(s): Ankara University and University of Alexandria (Egypt).
Sponsor: Commission of the European Communities. Contract number: CEC MED-CAMPUS #349 and #349B.

• European Masters Programme in Environmental Law (1996-1999), Ostrava, The Czech Republic*.
Beneficiary institutions: Technical University of Ostrava and the Ministry of Environment, Prague.
                                                                                                                                        Sponsor: Commission of the European Communities. Contract number: CEC Tempus JEP-11105.

* Responsible for initiating, developing and teaching/training, but not for overall project management.

Other major international projects initiated, organised and managed by ICTR