Virginia Tech has been selected by the National University Technology Network as the recipient of its 2013 Institutional Achievement Award, which will be presented at its annual conference Sept. 16-18.

Virginia Tech’s vision of expanding access to education through distance learning, evidenced through significant growth of enrollment and engagement of delivered courses, and a well-planned system for effectiveness measurement and data indicating student satisfaction, were all cited as metrics of success by the network's 2013 award panel.

In addition, the university’s innovative measures to provide faculty development and teaching incentives served as important criterion for the award. 

"By funding distance learning research and establishing both the university’s Enterprise Fund and Provost Course Development Fund, Virginia Tech not only develops distance learning programs, but more importantly, seeks to improve the quality, expand access to, and minimize the cost of education,” cites the panel.

Garnering a national online leadership and innovation award fulfills a key distance learning goal issued by Senior Vice President and Provost Mark McNamee in his fall 2012 presentation to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The National University Technology Network is an organization of educational institutions that provides a network and professional development arena for advances in teaching and learning. As part of its annual global awards program, the network recognizes an institutional member for effective use of technology in teaching and learning and/or organizational administration that is exemplary, demonstrates leadership and commitment, and advances the field as an institutional model. These awards are given to people seeking to advance applying technology to teaching and learning in higher education.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

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