The Virtual University for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (VUSME)

www.vusme.org

Claire Kaukinen
Director, Distance & Regional Programming
Confederation College, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Diana Koski
Manager, Curriculum & Distance Education Services
Confederation College, Thunder Bay, Ontario

VUSME: How Did It Begin

The stakes are huge for small and medium sized businesses as information and communication technologies transform enterprise development, productivity and opportunity. Entrepreneurs ignore the changes taking place with Internet technology in the marketplace at their peril.

The concept for (VUSME) The Virtual University for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises was the result of consultations with government and business organizations for advice on how to ensure that development spin-offs from new information technology reach down to the small business community level and not restricted to the major global corporations and governments. The need to bring populations in general up the Internet learning curve provides the growing momentum for the project.

Creating and building VUSME has provided interesting challenges in bringing together networks of people around the world. VUSME is essentially based on original contacts and friendships developed over the years in the International Small Business Congress. John Bulloch, as president of VUSME, is the key link in the organization.

The VUSME is a partnership of educational institutions and business organizations dedicated to the application of Internet technologies for starting and growing companies and redeveloping companies. The goal is to provide an educational vehicle in the form of courses and case studies on how small firms and communities are using Internet technologies to do what they could not do before to stimulate new forms of business and economic activity. Moving new technologies across the spectrum of small-scale enterprises is a complex process.

There are many factors that make it difficult to reach this vast global community:

the obvious size and complexity of the sector

the differences in culture and education

all the problems of access, any time, any place, anywhere

the melding of education and training with real practical business situations and skills

managing and administering a virtual site to meet the needs of varied client groups including the entrepreneur and students

designing and producing an effective online learning environment.

 

There are a lot of people working together on this project to create real synergy. The educational institutions organize and write the content for the courses and the business organizations provide the marketing support and case study background. The instructional design team at Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology in Canada provides the design standards and quality control. The Learning Institute for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (LISME), the not for profit corporate entity that markets VUSME courses, provides the computer network infrastructure and oversees project management.

The education partner institutions include:

Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

The Small Business Advancement National Center at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, USA

The Center for Family Enterprise at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

The University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Barnsley College, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK

The organization participants include:

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business

The Forum of Private Business, UK

Putting together an organization that has cohesiveness and purpose without day-to-day social interaction is difficult and requires some form of organizational glue. The answer is a relationship where everyone is able to enjoy value proportional to their contribution.

We are addressing the cultural differences through the use of multilingual websites to illustrate topics in the modules. All VUSME courses are currently available in English and French, and, by April 2000, in Spanish. We have included case studies of website business owners from French and Spanish enterprises.

To increase access to the online learning modules, the server is available twenty-four hours a day. Students can study independently at any time, any place, anywhere, taking their tests online, receiving their mark immediately. The Internet Entrepreneur Certificates can be printed from the learner’s personal computer.

To create the model and template for the courses, we brought together our expertise developed in the past five years in designing web-based learning, our research into the important features of effective learning using web technologies, research into tools and software to support web course development and delivery, and our many years of serving local, national and international business clients through the Northwest Enterprise Centre. Thus, the courses have a strong distinct look and feel and a high level of interaction. Navigation is consistent and logical. Graphics and interactive exercises motivate the learner and emphasize key concepts. The Internet itself becomes the primary teaching tool by using the web not only as information and examples but also as real business resources for immediate implementation by the entrepreneur or business participant.

One of the Case Study approaches is unique in that the learner uses the website for analysis and the guide for discussion and resolution and is also introduced to the website business owners. Through an interview with the entrepreneurs, they learn their rationale behind the site design, their comments on the success of the site, and insight into what they might have done differently. A pattern is beginning to become apparent as we post successful stories of small business applications of Internet technologies: We can observe either an owner, partner or associate of the firm that is continuously striving to stay on the learning curve of the technology. Their websites provide real value added and useful links. Intelligent use of search engines, directories, and email seems to be more effective than traditional off-line publicity and marketing.

To meet the needs of varied client groups including the entrepreneur and students, the courses are organized in packages of modules. The packages provide a description of the skills with a learning path to guide the user.

Getting Started Online Series (3 modules)

Discover the Internet as a newcomer! Learn the lingo, and how it is changing the way we live

and work. Basic level courses.

Introduction to Electronic Commerce (3 modules)

Develop a thorough understanding of the basics of E-Commerce – how to effectively sell your products and services online. Introductory level courses.

More Electronic Commerce (2 modules)

Apply the more advanced concepts of E-Commerce. Learn how to market on the Net and utilize multi-media to promote your website. Intermediate level courses.

Enterprise Development (2 modules)

Develop an Internet Strategy and learn the basics of building a website. Use the Internet to start and grow a profitable business. Introductory level courses.

Internet and Business Series I (2 modules)

Find out how the Net is bringing suppliers and users together. Discover new marketing opportunities to grow your business. Research consumer trends and evaluate the competition. Introductory level courses.

Internet and Business Series II (2 modules)

Use the Internet to develop new networks and create new kinds of ventures. Assess your firm’s trade readiness and initiate a trade strategy. Introductory and Intermediate level courses.

Major Introductory Internet Series (8 modules)

This series includes Introductory level knowledge covering the following topics: Community Development, E-Commerce, Enterprise Development, Intermediation, Market Research and Trade.

Major Intermediation Internet Series (6 modules)

This series includes Intermediate level knowledge covering the following topics: Enterprise Development, Market Research, Networking, Trade, Marketing Over the Net and Audio on the Web.

Continuing Education Series (6 modules)

This series is an excellent mix of Introductory and Intermediate knowledge on the following topics: E-Commerce, Enterprise Development, Networking, Market Research and Intermediation.

VUSME: How Can You Become a Partner

The Internet has the potential to bring about a powerful transformation of wealth creation at the individual and community level. We are proud to be part of VUSME, as we believe that through our national and international partners we will be a catalyst in making this happen.

Share the power of VUSME with your colleagues

http://www.vusme.org/vu2

Contacts

Scope: Serves world wide and multi-lingual education, business and communities.

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