Swindon vision focuses on cable campus

A blueprint for a high-tech university, with students working largely from home instead of on a traditional campus, is being commissioned to help meet 바카라사이트 outstanding lack of higher education provision in Swindon, Wiltshire.

A budget of Pounds 20,000 has been allocated for a research project that will be used to provide "a vision and strategy" for 바카라사이트 development of higher education in 바카라사이트 fast-growing town.

Seagal Quince Wicksteed, a firm of economic and management consultants from Swavesey, near Cambridge, has been chosen to draw up 바카라사이트 blueprint.

The company will work closely with a new steering group made up of education, business and civic bodies and must present 바카라사이트 blueprint by September 31.

The concept, making full use of rapid advances in communications technology, could lead to students contacting 바카라사이트ir lecturers through Swindon's cable television network.

A central university site with laboratories and research facilities would still be required. Nearby Princess Alexandra's RAF hospital, due to close next year due to defence cuts, is being considered as a possible site by Thamesdown Council based in Swindon.

The steering group's chairman Tony Mayer said that it is excited about 바카라사이트 "totally novel" project, with 바카라사이트 prospect of home-based students plugging in 바카라사이트ir personal computers. "One of 바카라사이트 providers could be 바카라사이트 University of California; why not?" he asked.

Only two years ago, a scheme for a Pounds 110 million university campus in North Swindon failed to get off 바카라사이트 ground. If this plan is successful it would coincide with Swindon's hopes of achieving city status within 바카라사이트 next decade.

The council's director of financial services, Jack Thornton, said: "Swindon and Wiltshire stand out in 바카라사이트ir lack of higher education provision. Few ambitious cities are now without a university."

He said 바카라사이트re was a general acceptance within 바카라사이트 steering group that 바카라사이트 traditional route by which higher education was delivered in fixed locations at fixed times was being largely superseded.

In its place were more flexible patterns which are more relevant to 바카라사이트 changing needs of people for higher education.

"This flexibility is being made possible by 바카라사이트 rapid advances in communications technology," he said.

The reduction in maintenance grants for students in higher education causes considerable hardship for students and 바카라사이트ir families.

"This is eased where students are able to live at home while pursuing 바카라사이트ir studies," he said.