Professional managers from throughout the world who wish to improve their project management skills will soon have the opportunity to participate in an innovative new idea for the University of Aberdeen.
The University is set to launch the first MSc in Project Management as a distance learning package, which will allow students from anywhere in the World to participate in the degree programme.
Project co-ordinator Sue Barrett, of the University’s Department of Engineering, said: “As far as we are aware, we are the only university anywhere in the world to offer this type of project management training as a distance learning package.
“The Project Management MSc was introduced in 1993 as a part-time course, and it has gone from strength to strength. We regularly have an average of 25 students joining each year, but it has been clear to us for some time that we could deliver the training to many more people if we could devise a distance learning version.”
Scottish Knowledge Plc, following extensive market research in the US, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East, identified the need for such a course and have provided £50,000 towards the development of the course into a distance learning-based programme.
The pilot course has attracted students from a range of industries including nuclear energy, London Transport, the oil and gas sector and aluminium smelting. Many of those who participate work in different parts of the world, including Europe, the former Soviet Union and Africa.
There are two project-based modules in the course. This means that theoretical work will be taught via the Web but, when they begin a project, students will have access to designated university tutors at centres throughout the world. They will also attend these centres to sit final exams, which will conclude each of the 12 modules leading to the full MSc.
Both the distance learning and part-time programmes are designed for those with considerable work experience. Applicants are normally graduates with a good degree in any subject or have an equivalent professional qualification. However, in recognition of the many very competent people who do not have a formal qualification, candidates can be accepted if they have significant and relevant work experience and are able to satisfy the University that they have the ability of undertake post-graduate study.
Professor Jim Penman, Head of the Department of Engineering, said the new course will offer even greater flexibility to students whose work commitments make it impossible to travel to Aberdeen.
“We are really delighted to be able to offer this very popular course by distance learning and to be the first anywhere to be able to do so.
“It will build on the success of its part-time forerunner, but one of the most important elements of this teaching method is the use of an e-mail forum to which all students contribute throughout the course. In essence, this takes the place of group tutorials and summer schools, the more traditional methods of getting students together. In addition, tutors will be able to monitor the group work by joining in the e-mail forum.”