ABSTRACT
The notion of a ‘virtual university’ is a potent vision of the future of higher education. This virtual university – a ‘university without walls’ – is seen as an institution that has torn itself free from the geographical confines of the campus, using the new communications technologies to connect learners, potential learners, teachers, researchers, alumni, employers, research funders and administrators in a flexible, everchanging network organization. This vision has captured the imaginations of academics, university managers, educational policymakers, corporate personnel, training managers and private entrepreneurs across the world.
