Learning, technology and research centre Ultralab (1990-2006) will be featured on BBC Essex Radio’s ‘Drive Time’ programme with Simon Baldock.

A couple of weeks ago Swedish Television visited Ultralab (1990-2006) to find out more about Ultraversity and with continued international coverage of this groundbreaking degree, its only fitting that local radio covers the story too!

I recently visited the BBC Essex Radio Studio’s with Ultralab (1990-2006)’s Industrialist in Residence, Dr. Stan Owers after suggesting Stan for ‘Tea at Three’. I got talking to the ‘Steve Scruton show’ producer, while Stan was on air with Liz Mullen. On talking about Ultralab (1990-2006), and our projects the producer was keen for me to contact the presenter of the ‘Drive Time’ show, Simon Baldock to talk about ‘Ultraversity’ as a potential feature to share with the local community.

Simon made contact and we’ve arranged that our very own Malcolm Moss will appear live on air tomorrow at 4:45pm to share with the local community our online degree course called Ultraversity, the new way to graduate.

Malcolm will be on the air on Tuesday March 1st at 4:45pm.

Click the links to find out more:

• How to listen to BBC Essex Radio via the Internet
• Listen to Dr. Stan Owers on BBC Essex
• Dr. Stan Owers Breaking News Item
• Swedish SVT Television Story on Ultraversity

So why do our high profile projects and the Ultraversity degree continue to attract media attention?

In the case of Ultraversity, it is the UK’s first completely online work based undergraduate research degree, due to start its third intake of online based student researchers later this month. The vast majority of these students will continue in full-time work using their work place as the focus of their research and study. Over 300 students are already enrolled on the course and are working hard towards their negotiated objectives.

It is not a “postal” degree, or a rather dubious “pay and graduate” degree from a place you’ve never heard of; or an “equivalent qualification”. Ultraversity is a fully validated British degree supported by the Department for Education and Skills, which has very high standards and cares about learners and their research.

The degree is centred round the students’ work place practice and allows students to develop research skills that are appropriate to any work place context. Students attend a university virtually, via the web, without the stress of travel. All they need do is ‘logon’ to meet their friends, experts and learning facilitators. The online community enables students to discuss their work with others and share learning practices, providing a network just as close as with a physical university.

Philip McCann, a student said, “I’m taking part in online discussions with 10 to 15 nursing auxiliaries from all over the UK. We are sharing ideas and I am now reflecting on work place procedures and how to respond better to critical incidents.”

Professor Stephen Heppell, Founder of Ultralab (1990-2006) and founder of Ultraversity said “Ultraversity has shown that radical thinking can give access to higher education for many talented people without compromising on quality and the community of learners it creates are actively changing their work places as they study.”

You can listen live to the show via the Internet, Click this link to find out how to listen to BBC Essex Radio.

UPDATE 01/03/2005: Click to find out how to listen to the completed show.