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Box 10.1
Case study: E-commerce and the University of Central Queensland
Central Queensland University (CQU) is an example where a medium sized
educational institution is able to expand and compete in an increasingly competitive
national and international market place by placing greater reliance on e-commerce
and other network systems.
More than half of the University’s students study via distance learning techniques,
with 12 per cent on an international basis. CQU had the highest growth rate of all
38 Australian universities over the 1995–1997 period. CQU also exceeded the
national growth rate in overseas onshore students during the same period.
Similarly to many other universities, CQU has offered distance learning for some
time. With affordable widespread access to the Internet the university offers a much
more flexible educational experience. CQU’s distance education facility gives students
the choice of mixing their study modes to suit individual needs. In addition to study
guides and information packages, distance education units may be supported in a
variety of ways including teletutorials, video conferencing, residential schools and
tuition via e-mail and the World Wide Web.
Use of open access networks is now a central part of the way that the University
functions and provides educational services:
• Many of CQU’s 15 000 internal and external students use the Internet to access
library resources and support services, make inquiries, and gain staff feedback.
Some subjects use student project chat groups and allow online submission of
assignments.
• CQU is in the early stages of developing a distance education student mentoring
service, based on the Internet.
• CQU offers courses in e-journalism and e-commerce, as well as the broader areas
of IT, information systems, health informatics and multimedia.
• CQU relies heavily on the Internet to help operate and administer its complex
operations, including an overseas campus (Fiji), overseas operations (Singapore,
Hong Kong), capital city campuses (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), regional
campuses (Emerald, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Mackay and Gladstone), and
distance education.
CQU already uses the Internet to distribute information to staff and students.
However, CQU is now investing heavily in a project to fully integrate its student,
staff and finance systems, with new software, hardware and human processes. Over
the next two years, the Internet will become even more integral to provide access
to these new systems throughout the University’s regional, national and
international footprints. For the first time, CQU will be able to use one integrated
administration system.
The system incorporates finance, human resources, payroll and student
administration components. Students will find it easier to enrol, change subjects,
check results, choose study options, and move between campuses in the CQU
network, providing students with greater flexibility in managing their education.
Staff will spend less time on systematic tasks, and will become focused on strategy,
value adding and delivery of learning opportunities. The University will also gain a
significant competitive advantage over education providers who fail to take
advantage of Information technology capabilities.
Source:
Marc Barnbaum, CQU.
10.3 Potential for cost savings
The use of the Internet as a means of reducing costs in educational
activities is just beginning to be explored.
Use of the Internet may permit the delivery of education services with
lower capital costs or to allow capital costs to be spread over a larger
number of students. Bricks and mortar costs per student could fall.
Educators can more easily circulate lectures, notes and other materials.
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