IU STRENGTHENS BUSINESS WITH EDUCATION GURUS

Interactive University (IU), the international education specialist, has strengthened its team with the additions of three new appointments. Malcolm Payton joins the management team as Head of Foundation Programmes, where he will oversee SCHOLAR, the world’s largest e-learning programme; while Ed Weeple from Heriot-Watt and Bill McIntosh, Vice-Principal of Robert Gordon University have been appointed the board of IU. All three bring a wealth of educational experience to IU, having spent careers in senior positions within the Education sector.

Malcolm Payton has spent his life working in education. Prior to joining IU, he was Head of the Education Service in Shetland. From there he moved to the Scottish Executive where he worked as a professional adviser and head of digital content within the Scottish Executive’s National Grid for Learning programme. His most recent post was as an internal consultant to Learning and Teaching Scotland. Malcolm will focus on the next phase of pilot projects in SCHOLAR England, as well as supporting the many other Heriot-Watt SCHOLAR projects around the world.

Ed Weeple was a career civil servant, with particular experience in the fields of learning, economic development and health, until his retirement as Head of the Lifelong Learning Group of the Scottish Executive in July 2003. He is currently a member of the Court of Heriot-Watt University, a member of the Board of Management of Edinburgh's Telford College and the First Minister's Assessor on the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland.

Economist Bill McIntosh is currently the Vice-Principal of Robert Gordon University, where he is responsible for academic development, including the growth of RGU’s Virtual Campus online. He has held a number of academic posts at universities throughout Scotland and is currently President of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

Ian Ritchie, IU’s Chairman said:
"Malcolm’s appointment as Head of Foundation Programmes and both Ed and Bill’s roles on the board will mean access to invaluable advice on academic standards and quality. They will also be able to provide a general overview on current issues within higher education, as well as contacts within the e-learning sector. We welcome their guidance and support and look forward to a rewarding partnership which further extends IU’s success."

Malcolm Payton commented on his appointment:
"I am really looking forward to working at Interactive University, and helping develop the Foundation Programmes in particular. IU is at the heart of the 21st Century approach to education, which blends the advantages of personalised and e-learning and also fully embraces the important lessons about assessment being something which supports learning, rather than just the outcome of learning. I am convinced that this approach, exemplified in courses such as the Heriot-Watt SCHOLAR materials, will more and more become part of the educational good practice throughout the world."

ENDS 25th May 2005
For further information, please contact:

Great Circle Communications Limited 0131 2254646
Beverley Kirk bev.kirk@greatcircle.co.uk 07968 777097

Notes to editors:
About the Interactive University www.interactiveuniversity.net
Interactive University is a market-led organisation and an international education specialist for the development and delivery of accredited distributed learning programmes within the global post compulsory education sector. The university’s primary objective is to become a centre of excellence in e-learning and the leading source of e-learning products, services and technology.