University of Southern Queensland

Opened in 1967 as an Institute of Technology, today the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is a major multi-campus Australian university. USQ embraced the use of e-learning to support distance learners and offered online degree courses via its “USQOnline” initiative as early as 1999. USQ is recognised both nationally and internationally for its outstanding distance education programmes, and was the inaugural winner of the International Council for Open and Distance Learning (ICDE) prize for institutional excellence (for its global education initiatives and expertise in providing flexible learning opportunities around the world).

USQ’s main campus is in Toowoomba, in South East Queensland. More than 26,000 students were enrolled at the university in 2008; of this figure, approximately 17,000 (75%) relied on a distance-learning component to their studies. Students can choose from over 150 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, pursuing their studies on campus, via distance learning, or by combining the two. International students (who represent more than 80 countries) may choose to receive support from either USQ in Australia or from a USQ Education Partner or Regional Support Office (located throughout Australia and the world). In some cases, these offices are linked to a local university or college which offers facilities for use by USQ students. All off-campus students are provided with “study packages” which may offer a combination of books, CD-ROMS and online materials. Some courses are offered purely online.

USQ launched its own OpenCourseWare (OCW) Initiative in 2007, becoming the first Australian member of the OCW Consortium. The initial offering consisted of sample courses from all five of the university’s faculties, as well as courses from its Tertiary Preparation Program. More information about USQ’s involvement in this initiative can be found at http://ptsefton.com/blog/2007/07/30/11-39-44.679295/.

USQ Education Partner offices are located in Australia, Malaysia, China, Fiji, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Iran, Pakistan and Taiwan. USQ Education Support offices are located in Fiji, Germany, Oman, South Africa and UAE.

A list of accredited USQ programmes offered fully in external or online mode can be reviewed at http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/distedprog.html.

Online Course Delivery: From Indelta to Moodle

In 1999, USQ launched USQOnline, which offered numerous degree programs exclusively online. Courses were delivered via the Indelta in-house LMS as part of a major push for a "total eLearning Solution". Indelta, a wholly owned commercial initiative of USQ, had stakeholders and users from around the world. However, due to numerous factors (and fierce competition in the LMS marketplace in particular), by July 2004 the OBHE reported that Indelta was in liquidation. USQ moved briefly to course delivery via WebCT Vista before ultimately selecting Moodle for full deployment in Fall 2008.

OBHE Subscribers may read more about Indelta’s history and liquidation in a July 2004 Breaking News item posted at http://www.obhe.ac.uk/news/July2004.html.

The USQ Web site is at www.usq.edu.au/.

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