York Telecentre will join Edith Cowan University in pilot COFHE scheme

15/6/99
York's Telecentre will join Edith Cowan University to pilot a concept which could dramatically improve education opportunities for regional residents.
Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said the proposed Centre of Further and Higher Education (COFHE) House would bring a new era in "on-line education".
The COFHE House, based in the telecentre, would provide students with access to educational resources and university administration via the Internet.
Audio-visual and interactive technologies would be used to provide instruction under the supervision of trained academic skills advisors from ECU and the centre would include a variety of spaces suitable for small group and larger tutorial activities.

Students using the COFHE House will also have access to a full range of printing, copying and multimedia production facilities to complete their assignments.
The COFHE House facilities will also be available for use by institutions other than Edith Cowan University.
Mr Cowan congratulated Edith Cowan University, which developed the COFHE House concept in recognition of the fact that many parts of Australia and the world did not have high levels of home-based Internet use.
He also praised the local management of the York Telecentre and the Telecentre Support Unit in the Department of Commerce and Trade for their enthusiasm in supporting the concept.
"The COFHE House concept will significantly improve educational choices for regional Western Australians," Mr Cowan said.
"It will provide a supportive distance learning environment that is closer to a traditional university experience, but people won't have to move to the city or give up their jobs to continue their education."
Media Contact:
Minister for Commerce and Trade: Peter Jackson 9222 9595
Edith Cowan University Janet Pinheiro 9273 8288
York Telecentre Janine Oliver 9641 2328