Students learn about UniSey degrees
05.12.2009
Prospective and current University of Seychelles (UniSey) students have attended a presentation by two University of London representatives to find out more about the computing degree courses on offer.
The course director for external students on computing programmes, Dr David Browning, and deputy course director Dr Sarah Rauchas talked to students at the Deepam auditorium, Anse Royale, on Monday about what they can expect from the degree.
As UniSey chose University of London degrees to start its programmes here, the two visitors are also confirming that the infrastructure and teaching methods are in accordance with the standards that have to be maintained.
Emphasising the credibility of the courses, Dr Browning said the University of London is the “oldest creature of its kind in the world today”, with an external system that has been in operation for 151 years, allowing students to take up distance learning courses from all over the world.
Among the 50-odd students attending Monday’s meeting, some are already enrolled on computing programmes with the London School of Economics or on the Royal Holloway’s bachelor of business administration programmes, and others are taking preparatory courses.
“However, they don’t know much about London yet and have been attracted to come here by the new university opportunity in Seychelles. So we’d like to help them get a better understanding of what we can offer and make the right choices,” said Dr Browning.
The presentation focused on describing two degrees offered by the university, the first being computing and information systems which combines solid computing with information systems on the business side, enabling graduates to work in business-related industries with relevant computing expertise.
“We hope that students become strong programmers but are also able to understand the business process and interact with that appropriately,” said Dr Rauchas.
The second degree, in creative computing, combines a strong basis in computing with the creative arts, in particular the visual arts and music, allowing students to add a creative or colourful dimension to their technical knowledge.
“So for all those people who love music and love computers, this is a way to combine the two interests,” added Dr Rauchas.
“For those who’d like to develop websites, for example, it’s all very well knowing the technical side but also knowing how to design something and make it work visually is useful.”
The Londoners’ visit is seen as being as much about evaluating the situation on the ground at the new university as it is about enticing students to take up new and interesting degrees.
UniSey registrar Elvis Julie said: “This trip is an initiative from London – they do this with all institutions that take up their programmes.
“This initial visit is designed to see how we are coping, our infrastructure, student performance in the classroom, the quality of the teaching process and other relevant mechanisms, policies and documentations that we’ve put in place already.
“Another aim of their visit is to provide us with academic direction to ensure our lecturers are in tune with the models and teaching guides.”