5. Conclusion: hope for a near future

To answer to the demand, we need new methods of teaching. Our universities exist since many centuries and continue to be proud of their traditions. IT strongly battles the traditional attitude. The traditional model, valid in a number of European countries, of plenary main lectures given by full professors, applications lectures given by the juniors, is strongly in danger. The traditional model of teaching has never been thought nor for mass education nor for permanent education.

We need new methods of learning. The student‘s attitude changes. In Latin countries, and also in many northern countries, the attitude of students is quite passive. They are waiting for the « good word » from the teacher. It is very different form the « aggressive attitude » of American students. The old way of learning does not match the new technologies, which demand an active attitude.

The traditional university is in danger. If we are not able to answer to the demand, private industry as well as American universities will come in the field. This is not only bad for us but also for our culture. We must work together to solve this challenge. New attitudes mean intensive use of new technologies for information and communication and large investment in this field, but also the cooperation of everybody, students and professors to make it successful.

Do we have the desire of such cooperation and the required enthusiasm?

There is an urgent need for common actions at the level of Information systems centers.

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