Welcome | Mapping the Maze | Learning Direct Database Services | Learning Direct Helpline Services | Metropolitan Area Networks and Wide Area Networks | University for Industry | Implementing the Vision Welcome Denny Collie, Chair, ALTSU Denny welcomed delegates to the conference and made some introductory comments on the theme of the afternoon's keynote speech. Practitioners gathered for the conference understand the nature of the information maze. There has recently been an explosion of interest in learning with the National Grid for Learning, University for Industry and a range of white papers and green papers emanating from government. While Lifelong Learning is therefore very much on the agenda there appears to have been no similar explosion in the availability of funding. There is concern that TECs' work on information services could be undone. There is a growing emphasis on the access to and delivery of information at the expense of the collection and quality assurance of that same information. There is therefore a constant need to restate the obvious and to emphasise the importance of good quality data collection procedures. As practitioners we must use whatever levers are available to us. Many of those present will be making applications under the ADAPT/UFI banner and it is to be hoped that these will be successful but there is great potential for those of us gathered at this conference to take the lead. University for Industry is flavour of the month and there are many laudable aims in the Pathfinder prospectus although it is not clear exactly what the UFI actually is. It is not a University and it is not solely for Industry but it is an important concept onto which there may be scope to impose our own definitions. Denny offered his own definition; "UfI is the olive oil in the stirfry of learning." In other words it would be something that makes other things happen and change. It is therefore essential that ALTSU members get involved in this new development. In closing, Denny's advice to delegates is to be as proactive as possible in promoting quality, to take a lead on bids and proposals. Denny introduced to the conference delegates, Alan Clarke of NIACE. In addition to being a key figure in NIACE, Alan is also an on-line tutor for the Open University and has written a number of books. He is currently working on a study of the open learning market for the DfEE's University for Industry team.