News release: Indian Take-Away: University franchises courses to Bombay

Abstract

Students in Bombay will soon be able to take degree courses from the University of Central Lancashire thanks to
an im10vative new franchise that allows them to study the first two years of their degree at
DY Patil Medical College in Bombay, and their final year at the University in Preston. The link has won an
accolade from the British Council who are very impressed with the thoroughness of the foundation work.
Two BSc (Hons) courses in Biomedical Sciences and Software Engineering have been franchised to the college in
Bombay. In the private medical college to which the Biomedical Sciences course is franchised they have even
built custom science labs in the same style as those at the University, even down to including the red rose logo, in
order to give students an identical environment to the one they can expect at the University. In both courses the
students follow the same syllabus as those on their parallel courses back in Preston and the University of Central
Lmcashire sets examinations throughout.
Staff exchanges have been on-going for some time between the two institutions, to ensure teaching styles match,
and videos of lectures with transcripts are sent out for students to watch, so that they get used to the different
accents used in the University. "All the teaching and learning is done in English, so the language shouldn't be a
problem," said Phil Roberts, Biomedical Sciences course leader. "We are also keen to make sure the lectures are
in the same style and incorporate the ethos and techniques used in Preston so that when the Bombay students
come over to the University, they will feel at ease and at home with the system."
The course structure will be almost the same as the students in Preston are studying, where they get a broad
grounding in the first two years and specialize in their final year. One of the great advantages of coming to
Preston for the Biomedical Science students is the input that medical staff from the northwest hospitals have into
their courses. "We have developed very good relations with health professionals throughout the region and they
are very happy to come into the University to give lectures on specialist subjects," said Phil Roberts.
The Bombay students will take part in a four-week induction prograrmne to acclimatise them to the campus, the
culture and get them used to the routine tasks they need to deal with like banks, the University's computer
network, laboratories and other university facilities. This will ensure that they do not start their third year at a
disadvantage compared with British students.
5 June, 2002
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