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Forget about ebusiness - the new buzzword is e-learning and the likelihood is that most of us are going to be involved with it at some time or other. Thanks to the Internet and the development of interactive multimedia programmes, the delivery of education is being revolutionised. Indeed, some experts believe that education - much of it delivered via the Web - is set to become the biggest industry in the world. It is estimated that the worldwide spend on education is currently $1.5 trillion and will double in the next five years, according to a report in the Guardian.

All over the world, universities are banding together to develop e-learning programmes. Fears have been expressed that online programmes offered by big name institutions could mean that smaller, less prestigious universities will be wiped out. In Britain, the Higher Education Funding Council has embarked on a £200 million initiative to set up a British e-university. Here at home, though, educators are cautious.