Ireland's first online third-level institution, Hibernia College has been launched today.
Based in Dublin, Hibernia offers nationally accredited Certificate, Diploma, Degree and Masters programmes.
The college’s courses are targeted at both Irish and international students and are designed for both Microsoft and Macintosh operating environments.
Hibernia College also announced today the completion of its technology platform (HELMS) designed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Professor John Williams.
Hibernia has been selected as the sole Irish representative participating in the consortium which seeks to progress the international development of e-learning.
Dr Seán Rowland, executive chairman of Hibernia College and founder and former Director of the Irish Institute at Boston College said membership of the consortium offers Hibernia an exclusive relationship with MIT in Ireland.
"Our decision to establish in Ireland was a result of the country's leading reputation in education and technology development leader." Dr Rowland said.
Hibernia College will also offer established third level institutions the opportunity to utilise its technology platform, instructional design expertise and service package to deliver their own courses online to new markets.