The E-Learning Industry Group is now the European Learning Industry Group, a change that reflects a shift within the organization itself, as well as within the learning industry.
“The term ‘e-learning’ has been overused,” said Joe Hegarty, Intel Innovation Centres director of business operations. “Technology is now clearly embedded in all modern learning solutions.”
He also said technology must be regarded as a partner in the evolution of the learning industry.
“The challenge today is innovation in learning by leveraging capabilities provided by technology,” Hegarty said.
He has been named co-chair of ELIG’s new leadership team, along with Fabrizio Cardinali, Giunti Labs CEO.
The other members of the executive team are Todd Korth, Sun Microsystems regional director of Europe, Middle East, Africa and education and research; Elaine Stephen, IBM Ireland director of Dublin SW Lab; and Sabine Schumann of PAU Education. Richard Straub will be ELIG’s secretary general.
Cardinali said the evolution of learning inspired — and will continue to inspire — changes for ELIG.
“We need to reshape European learning content production and help the publishing industry to achieve content personalization to best support the dynamic and changing skills requirements for Europe’s workforce in a lifelong learning process,” Cardinali said.
ELIG aims to act as a thought leader to the European Commission and national governments, as well as provide policy input. Simultaneously, its goal is to be a networking and partnering source for its members.
To fulfill the latter part of its mission, ELIG will seek to double its membership, from 36 to 72, within the next 18 months.
“ELIG is a unique network, with key industry players at its core and other stakeholders from the public and private sector in its broader membership, thus bringing together thought leadership, pragmatism and action orientation,” Straub said.
Additionally, ELIG strives to create partnerships with various organizations, which it has done with the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and the MENON Research and Education Network.
EFMD will provide event support and management, and MENON will provide network support and facilitation.
Both organizations will complement ELIG’s work, and they will allow linkage to their member networks.
Further, ELIG has partnered with the European Training Foundation (ETF) for a research project that involves cooperation between the public and private sectors in transforming education in the European-Mediterranean Partnership region.
ELIG’s overall goal is to make a major contribution to shaping Europe’s learning society, its leaders said.
