Student support systems in distance education

David Sewart, Director of Regional Academic Services at the Open University UK, gave this keynote address as outgoing President of the International Council for Distance Education, to the 16th ICDE World Conference in Bangkok, November 1992. In the paper he identifies within a historical context the principles of student support in university education. Dr. Sewart demonstrates that student support services comprise the elements in distance education which relate most closely to teaching in conventional education He uses management theory especially that relating to service industry, to comment on strategic planning and management of student services in open and distance learning.