Bulletin Board

Constructing the future

Northumbria University is pioneering a range of initiatives to ensure that the needs and opinions of disabled people affect future planning in the construction industry. A unique course aimed at both disabled and non-disabled people will seek to raise awareness about barriers in the built environment .The Postgraduate Diploma in Accessible Environments will cover such issues as discrimination legislation, planning studies and access design.

Organisers also plan to incorporate the units into mainstream teaching, ensuring that graduates from Northumbrias construction courses are aware of discrimination issues and barriers to accessibility. This is particularly relevant in view of recent changes in legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act, which will see access design skills related to built environment issues becoming increasingly important.

John Payne Scholarships

The European Business School London (EBSL) seeks to award two half scholarships and one full scholarship to fund study for a BA degree. The full scholarship covers the fees for a four-year course of study. The awards will go to the winners of a competition. Regents College, which includes EBSL, runs a scholarship scheme totalling £1 million, to cover up to half of students tuition fees. Details of all scholarships are available on the College websites.

New degree in environmental biology

A new postgraduate research degree in environmental biology has been announced by the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews, in a new partnership between the universities. Seven students will be admitted in the first year, beginning October 2001. The course will be a wide-scope specialist degree ranging across the field of environmental biology from zoology and marine biology to plant sciences and microbiology areas in which each university has established a specialist reputation for excellence.

Health cares new generation

The University of Southampton has announced an innovative approach to the teaching of health professionals. The New Generation Project involves a radical review of programmes across the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Biological Sciences, bringing different student groups together to learn core skills. Project Director Dr Debra Humphris explained: “We want students to come together to learn the skills and knowledge common to most health professionals. This might range from basic life support to nutrition, communication skills and issues around customer care.” The potential for shared learning will be examined in all teaching settings including conventional classrooms and lecture theatres, clinical skills laboratories and on practice placements.