International Appointment for Open Polytechnic Chief Executive
New Zealand's international standing in distance learning has been boosted by the appointment of Open
Polytechnic chief executive, Shona Butterfield, to the leading global organisation in the field.
Ms Butterfield was elected unopposed as the new Australia-Oceania region vice-president for the International
Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). She will sit on the council's executive committee for a three-year term.
The ICDE is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and is represented in 142 countries. Its membership includes
educational institutions, national and regional associations, corporations, and agencies active in distance learning.
The Council aims to provide leadership and improve cooperation at the global level in the distance learning
field.
Key current issues include the global need for education and training, e-learning, and the development of a
world education market.
A member of the new Tertiary Education Commission, Ms Butterfield is also currently the Commonwealth
Secretary-General's representative on the governing board of the Vancouver-based Commonwealth of Learning (COL). She
received COL's top Honorary Fellows award in August for her services to distance education.