The International Internet Learning Association to Hold Press Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The International Internet Learning Association (IILA), a non-profit association dedicated to the use of Internet access for global education and training, will hold a press conference on Wednesday, April 18 at 4 p.m. at the Capital Yacht Club conference room in Washington, D.C., 1000 Water Street, SW (Main Street at 14th Street, parking is available in the Flag Ship Restaurant parking garage.)
Members of the media attending the e-Learning Conference in D.C., April 17-20 are invited to attend, as well as, education community press, as are other interested parties. Among those speaking at the press conference will be IILA’s Chairman of the Board, Michael Baker, IILA’s President, Patrick Portway, founder and former Executive Director of the U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA); IILA’s Vice President for Strategic Planning Larry Stone; IILA’s Vice President for Membership and Public Relations, Cheryl Waldrup of Bit Learning, Inc.; and IILA’s Vice President for International Relations, Rashmir Mayur of Bombay, India. Dr. Mayur will brief attending press on his work with the United Nations on Distance Learning in the rural villages of India.
Wall Street investment bank WR Hambrecht has estimated that the e-learning market will grow to $11.5 billion by 2003. With similar estimates being released by the country’s most respected research houses, there has been an astonishing interest in delivery of education and training via the Internet. Most major universities and hundreds of companies have launched in the online education market in the last 5 years, but perhaps even more important than the economic potential is the ability to reach a new segment of the world’s population in developing nations.
IILA hopes to use its resources to educate Congress and even international governing bodies on the almost unlimited potential the Internet brings in terms of access and cost savings. IILA is also interesting in exploring how existing technologies can be used in furthering education, particularly in those areas where broadband access may not be available at this time. IILA hopes to work with industry and government agencies strategic plans for use of technology (both existing and future) in distributing training and education.
About IILA
The International Internet Learning Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the use of Internet access for education and training, globally. Its members consist of top executives in the distance education and corporate/professional training arena. IILA is the successor organization to the Global Distance Learning Association (GDLA) which suspended operations in January 2000. IILA intends to build on the experience and assets of GDLA to broaden both the base of support and policy focus of the Association.
Michael Baker, the Chairman of the Board is a former President and Chairman of the Board of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) and an international recognized leader in Distance Learning.
Patrick Portway, the President of IILA is a member of the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (CICAC) where he has encouraged support of Internet’s role in U.S. workforce development.
Dr. Rashmi Mayur, IILA’s Vice President of International Relations, is a world leader in international distance learning in his home country of India and throughout the developing world.
Board members include representatives from Polycom, Inc., International Institute for Sustainable Future, MagicsoftTM Corporation, Bit Learning, Inc., Oklahoma State University, Hughes Network Systems, George Washington University, Tandberg, Inc., PictureTel, Ball State University, The TeleTraining Institute and Moscow University of Statistics & Business.
For more information about IILA, check out their website at www.iila.net or call Mary Lecis, IILA Executive Secretary, 540/ 882-9733 or Julie Harper, IILA Membership Secretary, 918/225-2576.
