In this paper, we first discuss the concept of Personal Learning Environment (PLE) with respect to higher-education institutions and Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs). This discussion rapidly confronts us to the place of the PLE and self-directed learning and/or training inside the institution. We therefore introduce the concept of institutional PLE enabler, which is expected to stimulate students to create and use their own resources and institutional resources and share them with peers during formal and informal learning activities. Next, we describe a proposal for a federated design and implementation of the PLE enabler across multiple institutions.