Bavarian Virtual University – Best Practice for a Network of Higher Education Online

Abstract

Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern (vhb) / Bavarian Virtual University (BVU) is an institution set up by the universities and universities of applied sciences of Bavaria, one of the 16 German federal states. Its primary goal is to improve studying conditions for the growing number of students who require flexibility both in terms of time and place. This flexibility is best offered by virtual teaching and learning environments. The BVU funds developing as well as conducting of its online courses to guarantee sustainable operation and use of the courses. In order to get the most out of this expenditure, the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs and Science supports the coordinated and practice-oriented development of courses for use across all Bavarian universities via BVU.