The Institute of Distance Education of Tomsk State University (IDE TSU) was created on July, 3rd, 1998 for the purpose of formation of scientifically-educational space of TSU on the basis of modern means of telecommunications and information technology, and also realization of educational programs with use of technologies of remote training. Since 2005 the institute coordinates activity of TSU departments in the field of additional education.
TSU is the largest classical university in the Asian part of Russia and the oldest university of Siberia.