Universities and New Information and Communication Technologies: Issues and Strategies

In 1995, the International Association of Universities( IAU) created, within its Board, a Task Force on Universities and Information Technologies. This Task Force is composed of eminent personalities from the academic world. At two recent meetings held in 1997, it examined some of the challenges facing universities in the new information society. This paper summarizes the main questions concerning the impact of information and communication technologies on universities, mainly the benefits of, and limitations to, the use of information technologies in teaching, learning and research. It ends with concluding remarks from the IA U Task Force and a number of recommendations as to what strategies to adopt.