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Abstract

The Ministry of Education has funded virtual university projects as a part of the Education, Training and Research in the Information Society: A National strategy for 2000–2004 and its implementation instructions. This evaluation report is focused on the virtual university projects prioritised by the universities and their funding during the funding periods of 2001–2003 and 2004–2 006. The interim evaluation report has been published in April 2007. The virtual university functions have been carried out both according to strategic goals or unpredictably on university level. After numerous attempts different solutions on combining the virtual university functions with the other functions of the university were discovered. The virtual university functions have changed the efficiency requirements, although this has not enhanced the merits of the actors.

The evaluation shows that the effects of the virtual university functions have been the growth in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching, enhancement of know-how and the strengthening of development culture. The virtual university has become a part of the tasks of more and more people working at the universities. Despite this there still are challenges in establishing the functions, which is manifested in the short-span and insufficient planning and the inconsistencies of follow-up data. From the point of view of effectiveness it seems to be crucial that the aims are realistic strategic in terms of content and schedule. In addition active follow-up and accountability support effectiveness. Those universities that decentralise the responsibility for the virtual university activities to faculty and individual level face significant challenges.

The proposals for action in the virtual university evaluation are aimed at the developing of the evaluation system, the position of The Finnish Virtual University Service Unit implements in the changing operational environment, the accountability and permanent development of the project. Deficiencies in planning and implementation have lead to the partial shutting down of functions at the end of funding periods. The long-term commitment of actors to the virtual university enhances the possibilities of the university to answer to the pressures for change from the operational environment.