PART time students Julie Philips and Melanie Gadd have been asked to help run a pilot of a new distance-learning module as part of the MSc Manufacturing and Engineering Management course at Coventry University. Julie and Melanie both work full-time at Jaguar Cars and are looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to help shape the course for future students. Julie studied for her first degree in what was then called Technical Communication, now Communication Design, at Coventry University. Her role as a technical author at Jaguar involves researching and writing solutions to problems on vehicles and informing dealerships about ways to resolve these problems. Her interest in engineering came as a result of working in this environment and a personal desire to expand her knowledge. She said: Unlike many of the other students on the MSc course I am actually paying the tuition fees myself. The course is not related to the work Im involved in now but Im hoping that this course will open doors for me within Jaguar. There are certain elements of the course that Im really interested in and would love to look at in more depth. Melanie Gadd works as a print and distribution supervisor within Jaguar. This role involves printing the owners literature for the vehicles and distributing it around the company, as well as the global network of Jaguar. Melanie said: I took part in a management diploma offered by Jaguar and really enjoyed the course. When this came to an end I felt like there was something missing from my life. I would hear other people talking about their degree courses or their qualifications and I started to think I can do that. Melanie started the MSc course at Coventry a year ago and is thoroughly enjoying the experience. She said: It can sometimes seem like a long day when I combine work, lectures and the needs of my teenage daughter. It takes a lot of self-discipline but its very rewarding at the same time. Julie and Melanie have been selected by the University to take part in a pilot scheme offering part of the MSc course via distance learning. Julie said:Its a great opportunity to be involved with distancelearning and I think it will be interesting to see how this type of study compares to teaching in the lecture theatre. Paul Winn, programme manager for part time courses for industry and Continuing Professional Development, said: We already offer part-time programmes in one-, two-, five- and ten-week blocks, studying one module at a time with either day or evening attendance, and with no time limit for completion. This flexibility has already helped many hundreds of people within the region obtain BSc, MSc and MBA qualifications, enhancing their career prospects and improving the performance of their sponsoring companies. Starting to include study by Distance Learning will offer this opportunity to a wider market, and help busy people like Julie and Melanie find the right balance between family, work and university. For more information about part-time postgraduate (MSc/ -MBA) or post-experience (BSc) courses in Engineering contact Paul Winn on 024 7688 8815. | 
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