The C2k system was implemented in 2003 and is not only a world beater in terms of cost-effective innovation and success; it is also the largest eLearning project ever implemented.


C2k is responsible for the provision of an information-and-communications-technology-managed service to all schools in Northern Ireland. C2k is supported by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland and partly funded by the European Union under the Building Sustainable Prosperity programme.


Education authority delegates from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Italy, South Africa, Madrid, Armenia, and Sardinia have all recently visited Northern Ireland in order to see the C2k schools initiative in operation. A number of further visits are also in the pipeline.


HP, the lead supplier, has partnered with many strong industry players to enable a unique eLearning experience to be developed that encompasses all stake holders - the educational establishment, teachers, pupils, schools, and parents.


The other technology enablers include Microsoft (Active Directory, Exchange Server), Cisco (WAN and LAN Network), Tandberg (Video Conferencing Equipment), and HP's own Learning Platform (LearningNI) and OpenView Management Software Suite. A data centre co-run by public-sector staff from C2k and the HP Managed Services Team helps to ensure the project's ongoing success.


Jimmy Stewart, director of C2k, comments, "We chose HP for their innovative approach to developing and leveraging our technology infrastructure and their ability to work with our developers on a dynamically evolving system. HP was very effective at leveraging relationships with strategic partners to ensure smooth integration of tools. As a result, C2k sets a world-class benchmark for eLearning that other countries can look to as a model for their own education systems."


In terms of return on investment, the centralised procurement approach adopted by the Northern Ireland Department of education has been very successful. Stewart said, "The total cost of ownership has proved to be about thirty percent lower than for non-centralised educational procurement processes". The system supports 350,000 students from primary school to university and 20,000 teaching staff and users in 1,224 educational establishments across Northern Ireland.