The unexplored territory of distance education for multi-national professionals in project management

Abstract

This paper examines research into the development of a pedagogical framework for distance education (DE) in postgraduate project management studies at an Australian university as part of its strategy to deliver 'transnational' education. Project management requires development of technical, strategic, organisational and leadership competencies, but strategies to foster these professional competencies in a DE environment require investigation. Conceptual models are being used in a case study approach to identify 'disturbances' and 'contradictions' in relation to project management education, postgraduate students' educational needs, competency-based standards for management education and development of professional competencies, and to facilitate the development of a theoretical framework and program guidelines.