01.11.06
Veterinary nurses get the college treatment

The first students have just enrolled on Duchy College Rosewarne's first flexible learning university course, developed with funding from the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) initiative.

The students, all qualified veterinary nurses, are employed in veterinary practices throughout in Devon and Cornwall and they are converting their Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) professional qualification into a Veterinary Nursing Foundation Degree, approved by the University of Plymouth.

The programme at Duchy College, part of Cornwall College, has been specially designed to enable the students, many of whom are employed full time, to study for a part time qualification. Students can study from home through the College's interactive online learning environment called 'Moodle' and top this up by attending occasional weekend workshops run by specialist staff throughout the year.

Development of this new, innovative and flexible way of learning has been possible through the appointment of Sarah Galley, one of Cornwall College's team of blended learning coordinators. Sarah, who is also the Programme Manager, commented, "The introduction of blended learning by the College enables those who may not normally be able to study for a new qualification, because of work commitments, to use alternative methods of learning."

Curriculum Area Manager for Veterinary Nursing, Helen Dingle said: "Over the years, we have built up good working relations with vet practices in Cornwall and Devon and they have been very supportive of the idea of blended learning because it helps them to upskill their employees without losing valuable work time."

John Latham, CEO and Principal of Cornwall College said: "Cornwall College is able to develop this innovative way of learning, to allow more people to study, due to funding available through Phase 2 of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative. We offer a range of subject areas through blended learning which we hope will encourage more adults to study around their other commitments."

Nigel Hewitt, Combined Universities in Cornwall Deputy Coordinator commented, "This new course, like so many others which are getting underway in Cornwall at the start of this new academic year, will help even more people to further their ambitions in the region. It is a real pleasure to see the investment made in CUC by Objective One and the UK Government leading so directly to the creation of exciting new opportunities for local people and for those who are drawn into the area by the many outstanding courses Cornwall now has to offer."

For further information please contact Rozanne Wakeling on 01209 722167 or email rozanne.wakeling@duchy.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Duchy College is a partner in the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Cornwall College has 8 main campus sites across Cornwall, including Duchy College and Falmouth Marine School and offers the widest range of high quality academic and vocational training in Cornwall.

Cornwall College is the only College in the South West to hold 4 Centre of Vocational Excellence Awards:

Centre of Vocational Excellence – Tourism, Customer Care
Centre of Vocational Excellence – IT Systems
Centre of Vocational Excellence – Marine Engineering & Technology
Centre of Vocational Excellence – Food & Drink Technology

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

back to top