Intel & Giunti Labs to co-chair and lead the renewed European Learning Industry Group

The European learning industry is repositioning itself. The former eLearning Industry Group (eLIG) has become the European Learning Industry Group (ELIG). This is more than a cosmetic change: it reflects a major shift in the marketplace.

Along with a new name and a new logo a new leadership team has been established. Joe Hegarty, Director of Business Operations, Intel Innovation Centres, and Fabrizio Cardinali, CEO of Giunti Labs, have been elected co-chairs.

The executive committee now comprises five members. In addition to the chairs, these are Todd Korth, Regional Director, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Education and Research, Sun Microsystems; Elaine Stephen, Director of Dublin SW Lab, IBM Ireland, and Sabine Schumann from PAU Education. Richard Straub has been appointed ELIG’s Secretary General.

“The term e-learning has been overused,” said Joe Hegarty.

He added: “Technology is now clearly embedded in all modern learning solutions. The challenge today is innovation in learning by leveraging capabilities provided by technology.”

Fabrizio Cardinali said: "We need to reshape European learning content production and help the publishing industry to achieve content personalisation to best support the dynamic and changing skills requirements for Europe's workforce in a lifelong learning process.”

ELIG will provide industry thought leadership and policy input to the European Commission and national governments and, at the same time, function as a networking and partnering platform for its members. To fulfil its broader mission, ELIG plans to double its membership base from the current level of 36 members within the next 18 months.

Richard Straub, the ELIG Secretary General said: “ELIG is a unique network, with key industry players at its core and other stakeholders from the public and private sector in its broader membership, thus bringing together thought leadership, pragmatism and action orientation.”

ELIG has engaged in important new partnerships with the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and the MENON Research and Education Network. These organisations will complement ELIG’s capabilities by providing event support and management (EFMD) as well as network support and facilitation (MENON), along with linkages to their member networks.

In addition joint initiatives are being envisaged. ELIG is also engaging with the European Training Foundation (ETF) in a research project about public-private sector cooperation in transforming education in the MEDA region.

As Tom Friedman put it: the world is becoming ‘flat’, with technology creating a level playing field for new competitors entering the global economy. The ability to innovate will make the difference and decide about winners and losers.

To cope with the new challenges, education and learning themselves must be subject to fundamental innovation - be it in schools, universities, professional training and lifelong learning at large. ELIG will make a major contribution to shaping a learning society in Europe.

End

Notes for Editors

About The European Learning Industry Group
ELIG, is an open consortium of leading ICT (information and communications technology) companies and e-learning content providers who seek to promote innovation in learning by using new information and communication technologies throughout Europe, in schools, universities, the workplace and homes. The extended group also comprises key academic players, research institutions and associations.

About Giunti Labs:
Giunti Labs (www.giuntilabs.com) is one of Europe's leading e-learning and mobile learning content services and solutions providers. Giunti Labs is part of Giunti Publishing Group, a leading Southern Europe educational and cultural heritage publisher.

Further information from:
Angus Turpin, Giunti Labs, +44 (0) 7733 365063
Minna Leikas, Giunti Labs, +39 3489 399127
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405