Abstract:

The expansion of education beyond national boundaries has created a new market for the education industry. Many universities have formed partnerships with organisations in other countries in order to expand their programs. Several implementation models have been identified including distance education via e-Learning, study abroad programs, the establishment of a university campus in a foreign country and the travel of faculty lecturers to foreign countries for full or partial curriculum delivery. Some implementations use a combination of these models but there has been dramatic growth in the development of electronic interactive learning systems and their application via e- Learning to higher education in the international market. The curriculum associated with Information Systems and in particular the teaching of Enterprise Systems, sometimes referred to as Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, is particularly suited to the application of e-Learning technologies.  Victoria University is offering a niche information systems course through a strategic alliance with SAP. The University has extended its offshore programs by offering Enterprise Systems education in  the Asian region and has applied e-Learning technologies blending synchronous and asynchronous content to assist this expansion. A number of technologies facilitate course delivery: application service provision, web-based learning management systems, computer-based training and virtual classroom technology. This approach provides an efficient means to deliver higher education internationally in terms of flexibility in subject delivery and increased learning outcomes. The application of e-Learning technologies can provide opportunities for universities to expand their education services beyond national borders and lead to a transformation in the skills base and employment opportunities for graduates in offshore regions.