ABSTRACT
The world is witnessing an explosion of university-level academic degree programmes that use the techniques of distance learning to communicate with students. As with all explosions, there is much solid content but also a substantial surround of hot gases. The capacity of students-the consumers-to distinguish between solid academic programmes and those that are vaporous is limited. While established practices for programme validation and institutional accreditation continue as regional or national activities (as has been discussed in the preceding chapter), many of the new programmes transcend these traditional geographic and political boundaries. Given the growing capacities of the Internet and World Wide Web, this trend will likely continue unabated in the coming years. Accreditation for these trans-boundary institutions will require new auspices, revised strategies and global standards.
