Où va la distance, par des temps agités?: Réponses d'une organisation distancielle, l'Open University

Ou Marie-Noelle Lamy envisage la problematique de la formation a distance en expliquant la facon dont l’Open University essaye de faire face au defi qui consiste a maintenir une entreprise rentable en assurant ses interets financiers tout en poursuivant un programme d’integration sociale repondant aux veritables besoins sociaux de la population Distance education is at an uncertain juncture: its expansion from specialised institutions to generic ones, now in harsh competition with the former, is concurrent with an unprecedented funding crisis affecting European and UK universities particularly. This article explains how the Open University is facing up to this conjuncture. A review of current strategies and future orientations aimed at achieving a balance between the university's commercial needs and its social mission is offered.