Scottish Universities and Colleges receive £1.2m for Life Sciences E-Learning Project

The Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) and The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) have awarded £1.2m to fund CeLLS (collaborative e-learning in the life sciences), an e-learning project for students studying life sciences in further & higher education.

The partnership is a collaboration between Scottish institutions, The University of Dundee, Napier University, Scottish Colleges Biotechnology Consortium (SCBC), Interactive University (IU) and The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The aim behind CeLLS is to transform teaching and learning of Life Sciences by introducing interactive learning methods consisting of a combination of face-to-face interaction with teaching staff and access to online interactive course materials, case studies, assignments and formative assessments.

Martyn Ward, Associate Dean of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee and CeLLS Project Director said:

"Integration of the life sciences expertise of our academic partners with the technical expertise of The Interactive University allows us to develop e-learning tools for student learning that go beyond the lecture theatre. The new modes of delivery of the learning materials should better suit the changing needs and circumstances of the modern student. An anticipated outcome of the project is the development of a core curriculum in the cellular and molecular life sciences that can be used in both the FE and HE sectors".

The initial CeLLS project will last for two years, after which time the learning materials developed will be made available to all tertiary institutions in Scotland.

The interactive materials will also be used to deliver Life Sciences degrees and diplomas, on behalf of the Scottish academic partners, to overseas students through Interactive University’s international network of local partners.

Professor Roy Leitch, CEO, Interactive University said:
"This is a very important project for the partners in that it allows us to develop high quality sustainable interactive learning materials that can be used to deliver equivalent standards for both on-campus and international programmes with our partners."

ENDS

28th June 2005
Contact:
For further information, please contact:

Great Circle Communications Limited 0131 2254646
Beverley Kirk bev.kirk@greatcircle.co.uk 07968 777097

Interactive University
Roy Leitch, CEO, roy.leitch@interactiveuniversity.net 0131 317 4000

Notes to editors:

About the Interactive University www.interactiveuniversity.net

Interactive University is a market-led organisation and an international education specialist for the development and delivery of accredited distributed learning programmes within the global post compulsory education sector. The university’s primary objective is to become a centre of excellence in e-learning and the leading source of e-learning products, services and technology.

About SCBC www.scottishbiotech.org

A consortium of 5, Bell, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, and James Watt Colleges. Our aim is to provide technical and management training for companies in the Life Science sector within the Scottish market. With the backing of Scottish Enterprise, SCBC has, over the last 5 years, developed a range of courses designed to meet the specific requirement of Life Science organisations. These generic courses have been further enhanced by close co-operation with the commercial sector to create highly specific training output to satisfy immediate needs of business and employees. Each SCBC College provides a comprehensive range of full and part time HN courses serving Life

About Napier University www.napier.ac.uk

Napier University, Edinburgh is one of the largest of the modern Universities in Scotland, and is known for the relevance and innovative nature of its teaching and applied research. The largest provider of education for nurses and midwives in Scotland, its Life Science provision is focussed primarily on Health and the Environment, engaging with such issues as the remediation of contaminated land, and the safety of nanoparticles. The University has invested heavily in the latest infrastructure to support e.learning, and sees this activity as central to its objectives of growing post-graduate education and providing high quality undergraduate education for the broadest possible range of students.

About The University of Dundee www.dundee.ac.uk

The University of Dundee has an international reputation for excellence across a range of activities.
· First in the UK in teaching quality - The Times and Times Higher Education Supplement league tables 2005.
· Scottish University of the Year 2004-5 - Sunday Times Good University Guide.
· Best place to work in Europe according to an international poll of scientists by The Scientist magazine 2004.
· Research in medical and life sciences was rated 5* in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise.
· 95% of staff work in areas of national or international excellence. We rank in the UK's top three for research income per capita and in the top 20 for research income.
· An ambitious £200m redevelopment programme for the city centre campus is now underway.