News from: 2002 & 2001

Beckham can learn Spanish with us, says the OU

Following the news that David and Victoria Beckham are to move to Madrid, the Open University is offering the couple free places on its new distance learning beginners Spanish course

• Full story (20/06/03): www.open.ac.uk/events/4/2003623_37104_nr.doc

Guardian raises doubts about loan company linked to Learning Library

The Jobs and Money Guardian tells one learner that the loan they took through Empress Finance and the Learning Library "cannot be be enforced."

• ODL QC comment: Guardian doubts
• Full story (14/06/03): www.guardian.co.uk/guardian_jobs_and_money/story/0,3605,976763,00.html

Online Learning the cure for countries with SARS

In reaction to the contagious SARS virus, schools in the east have turned to distance learning. (from Education Week)

• Full story (22/05/03): www.edweek.org/ew/ew_printstory.cfm?slug=37sars.h22

Worries raised over owners of Learning Library

A national newspaper has expressed concern about the Learning Library, and alleged that its owners are convicted fraudsters. (from the Guardian Jobs and Money)

• ODL QC comment: Worries raised
• Full story:
  (19/04/03) www.guardian.co.uk/guardian_jobs_and_money/story/0,3605,939368,00.html, and
  (15/03/03) www.guardian.co.uk/guardian_jobs_and_money/story/0,3605,914139,00.html

Fake Universities Closed?

The BBC say that several organisations offering "fake British degrees" have been closed down.

• ODL QC comment: Fake Universities - closure?
• Full story (07/03/03): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2829237.stm

Tutorial Services liquidated

ODL QC has learnt Tutorial Services (who took on some of the learners from the dufunct NDLC) has now itself closed

• ODL QC comment (02/04/03): Tutorial Services

Unless explicitly stated, ODL QC cannot confirm the validity of any story on the news pages. We are reporting stories from elsewhere, in good faith, as a service to those interested in distance learning.