PLIRC (Prior Learning International Research Centre) created
New PLIRC website created – TRUopen.ca/plirc
About PLIRC (Prior Learning International Research Centre)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) through its Open Learning (OL) Division has launched an initiative to develop a new Prior Learning International Research Centre (PLIRC). The vision for the Centre, helmed by Dr. Christine Wihak, Director of PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition), TRU-OL, is to stimulate innovative and provocative research concerning prior learning and the theory, policy and practice of its assessment and/or recognition and/or validation. PLIRC will provide an international forum for the networking amongst scholars in this field and actively promote dissemination of research findings to practitioners and policy makers alike.
“Prior learning assessment and recognition is an important component of Open Learning at TRU,” Murray said. “We believe in and support the creation and advancement of knowledge in this field, along with the development of best practices and international standards.”
TRU-OL held an inaugural Steering Committee meeting in July 2009. Academic researchers from Australia, Scotland, South Africa, England, Canada, the US and the European Union were invited to present on PLAR research activity in their respective countries and their personal research. Attendees discussed current research activities, developed a basic governance structure for PLIRC and decided on initial collaborative activities required to move the PLIRC agenda forward.
With a view to scoping an international research agenda, the scholars attending PLIRC’s inaugural meeting made presentations on the state of prior learning research in their own countries/regions and/or their own personal research in the area. As its first research initiative, the PLIRC board members agreed to assemble these presentations in the form of a monograph, with Mignonne Breier and Judy Harris acting as editors. The intention is to publish the monograph in 2010. In the meantime, the scholars have agreed to our posting their Powerpoint presentations on the web site.