Advance and be Recognised

Martin works on a Masters degree online from Scotland

Scottish student Martin Hutson is working on a Master of Science degree at Bolton Institute - from home.

Martin, an electronics engineer, came to Bolton from Kirkaldy in Fife last year for an induction/awareness day. His next trip here will probably be to attend an awards ceremony after completing his three-year course in Advanced Microelectronics for Industrialists.

All his part-time study - he works for the Motorola company - is conducted online. He uses a personal computer to keep in contact with his Bolton tutors through the internet and email. It was provided free of charge when he registered on the distance learning course last May.

Part of the Government-sponsored initiative to put Britain at the forefront of international electronics technology, the course is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. It is delivered by Bolton Institute and the University of Northumberland, working in partnership.

Martin has recently had good news with the award of £2,400 towards his studies from the Institution of Electrical Engineers under the IEE's Year of Engineering Success Postgraduate Scholarship scheme.

Roy Attwood, the course co-ordinator in Bolton, is delighted with the progress since it started with 11 students two and a half years ago. There are now 40 all over the UK and some abroad. "We are one of the leaders in this field," he said.

The next induction/awareness day will be at Bolton Institute on Saturday, May 6. Mr Attwood said there were still course places available. The success of the course has led to an expansion this September into Mechanical Engineering and Product Design.

The course web site is www.bolton.ac.uk and Mr Attwood is available on 01204 903667.

Alan Calvert, Bolton Evening News   29.03.00    Reproduced with permission.
Updated  18.04.00 nb.