E-learning workshops for Saudi Arabian academics

10 Saudi Arabian academics will take part in a series of distance and online learning (e-learning) workshops at the USQ starting today, Thursday February 8 2007.

All 10 are from King Fahad University in Saudi Arabia, and will visit the University in the hope of learning from USQ's award winning distance and online education model.

'The academics that come will be from a variety of faculties across their University,' USQ Head of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and workshop organiser Professor David Ross said.

'They are currently in the process of setting up their distance learning centre and they are basing it on USQ's model.'

After visiting Saudi Arabia on several occasions, Professor Ross said that he was excited by the prospect of having the academics on campus for the first time.

'I have been to King Fahad University three times to deliver e-learning workshops and on my last visit in 2006 I recommend that they spend some time at USQ,' he said.

'They were after strategies for their e-leaning and we can provide that for them, through these workshops.'

During their six day trip, the group will hear from a number of USQ staff members who will give them an insight into the success of the University's e-learning programs.

'There will be presentations from the Learning and Teaching Support Unit (LTSU) and the Library, with many other USQ academics also giving courses,' Professor Ross said.

While this will be the first visit to USQ by the Saudi Arabian academics, Professor Ross is optimistic it will not be the last.

'This trip is about e-learning, but in the future I am hopeful that we will be able to develop a bigger and deeper relationship with them,' he said.

'In particular I would like to develop links between both Universities Engineering faculties, as King Fahad University is one of the top 100 Engineering Universities in the world.'

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628, 0403 643 192