Briefing Paper Cross Institutional Provision: What this means for institutions

The strategic and policy drivers for cross-institutional provision have implications for institutions in a number of key areas. The task of addressing these agendas calls for a holistic understanding of the role of ICT and e-administration in facilitating and managing developments in support of:

• Widening participation and inclusion - through appropriate partnerships HE institutions can extend the reach of their provision as well as increase student numbers and participation in traditionally under-represented areas
• Retention and progression - partnerships supported by technology provide opportunities for improved retention and enhanced transition between institutions, courses and levels
• Regional collaboration - effective partnerships help both to form and to promote regional development priorities for FE and HE

In the longer term, the strategic emphasis on lifelong learning and flexible provision adapted to the needs of the individual and the workforce effectively shifts the locus of control from the delivering institution to the learner. The essentially de-institutionalising nature of lifelong learning will encourage institutions to think about partnership development and genuinely place the learner at the centre of the learning experience.