The IADP provides university students and academic staff in developing countries with: (1) affordable access to e-books, and (2) support for the identification, development, and effective use of open access e-learning resources.

The IADP commenced operations in March 2006 with a pilot program that provided e-books to small groups of students at four South African universities. The e-books were made available off-line as well as on-line on a pro bono basis by a growing number of publishers (see Participants). The purpose was to develop and test the necessary systems and processes in a relatively favorable operating environment, and to identify a sustainable Business Model that in future would bring low cost e-books to large numbers of students in developing countries. The IADP also developed an open access platform, which it has started to populate with relevant, e-learning resources.

Following a positive external evaluation by the British Council in March 2008, the IADP is now preparing to add scale in South Africa and extend the Programs into other Countries.

In order to implement the Programs, the IADP has added to its direct staff by in-sourcing specialist consultants on a time and expenses basis from the South African Institute of Distance Education (“SAIDE”) and Neil Butcher Associates (“NBA”) (see Staff).