Published on the 19/01/2011 | Written by Newsdesk

New Zealand based multi-media learning company Vital English will partner with the prestigious Cambridge University for a new online programme…

A joint venture between Auckland e-learning provider Intuto and the Waikato Institute of Technology. It beat global competition for selection by Cambridge’s English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) department. It is the first time the ESOL division of the top UK University had worked with an external company.

Vital CEO Richard Warren says it’s a privilege to be part of the virtual course.

“We are very proud to have formed a business relationship with the world’s most prestigious university.”

He says it also highlights a growing number of New Zealand companies that are exporting technology.

“When Intuto was contacted by Cambridge ESOL to discuss working with them we were very excited,” he says.

“We knew that Intuto’s course authoring tools and the educational expertise of Wintec would be equal to any requirements placed in front of us.”

The courseware was sampled through a language school in Canada by a Cambridge agent following the University’s two year search for a partner.

An initial brief to Vital to develop an online English language testing system course for international use expanded to four separate projects.

Vital has also won seven other projects with the University in a competitive tender.

“Our long term relationship with Cambridge ESOL is not based solely on course construction contracts,” Warren says.

“We share revenue from distribution of the products and Cambridge ESOL is also looking at other Intuto systems for possible application in the future.”

He says it also showcases how a co-operation between a tertiary institution and private enterprise can be successful.

“The enthusiastic support of Wintec together with help from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, have certainly helped make this dream a reality.”