The characteristics he ascribed to the 2nd circle are much easier to respond to by a virtual university since learning and time-management skills are already established. They also emphasised the need for more integrated institutions with an enhanced capability for internal knowledge management and a need for a more corporate approach required in the adoption of information systems. Both papers stressed the need for an institutional strategy which seems to be more important than ever. This was then picked up upon in the last panel session where issues which had been raised in the course of the symposium were summarised. This can be easily ensured since transparency through the use of new ICTs makes quality assurance possible.
Adequate preparation is needed at the secondary level.
This reminder sets the university in the context of other existing systems, like the school. Here, the struggle between economy and academic freedom comes to the fore. So far, a lot of thought has been spent on teaching and learning, but much less on research in a virtual university. A holistic idea of what the university should be, needs to be followed up more thoroughly.