News

March 2008
CELCAT in Australia

CELCAT has enjoyed a long association with institutions in Australia. Since 1998 this association has been enhanced by our partnership with Brisbane based company CDS Australasia.

So it was with great delight that on 29th November 2007 the first CELCAT Australian User Group Meeting was held at the University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

More than thirty delegates from across Australia attended and the feedback has been most positive.

Mr Mark Bradley, Director, Capitol Programs & Operations, University of Sunshine Coast provided the opening address. Delegates were then provided with a video presentation from Mr Vernon Chapman, International Business Manager, from the CELCAT UK head office. Delegates also enjoyed presentations from Mr Terry Richards, James Cook University, and Mr Ken Cassidy, Southbank Institute of Technology.

Although full minutes, outcomes and other information will be sent out to delegates, others may request information by contacting CDS.

So appreciated was the event by attendees that it is proposed to hold another user meeting in mid 2008 probably in the state of Victoria. Perhaps we could invite delegates from around the world to attend, it may be a popular suggestion if summer in the Northern Hemisphere proves to be a washout?

February 2008
The Timetable - The Key to Effective Planning and Management Decision Making

This highly popular seminar series concluded in Dublin on Wednesday 30th January. Delegates from within senior management in HE and FE institutions took in sessions detailing a key concern in modern tertiary education - space management. Throughout the day we considered some of the recommendations of the Space Management Group (SMG). Over eight days, 150 delegates were introduced to some of the ways computerised timetabling and student attendance monitoring can help in this important area.

Attendees heard how a flexible timetabling system helps in:

• smoothing room utilisation patterns,
• increasing the flexibility of room use to accommodate changing demands in teaching need
• and in monitoring planned and actual utilisation using combined timetable and attendance data

Delegates also considered these issues:

• Space charging
• Attendance monitoring
• Student retention

Edinburgh, South Birmingham, Liverpool, Cardiff, London Covent Garden and Guildford hosted the November events and Belfast and Dublin hosted in January. Because of high demand we also had to run an additional event in London Covent Garden in January.

Many delegates commented positively about the agenda. Comments such as ‘I’ve found today to be very useful,’ or, ‘is this functionality already available to us in our current software?’ were heard. One delegate asked if CELCAT would to further seminars. We plan to do so in autumn 2008.

If you missed this year's seminar series and are interested to know what these delegates discovered just contact us and we would be pleased to arrange a meeting to discuss the content with you.

January 2008
Extension to Seminar Series

Due to the tremendous success of the Autumn seminars during November 2007, we've decided to do a re-run at the Central London venue and add two further venues (Belfast and Dublin) in January 2008.

The CELCAT seminar has the theme "The Timetable - The Key to Effective Planning and Management Decision Making". In recent years, technology has done much to increase efficiency in UK Higher and Further Education. However, the benefits it can bring to the teaching timetable are not always well understood. Our series of seminars are directed at senior managers within HE and FE. You'll gain an insight into the current state of computerised timetabling, and examine offerings in the field of course planning and resource management.

January 2008
CELCAT at BETT 2008

CELCAT are again delighted to be exhibiting at the world’s largest educational technology event. This year, BETT is being staged at Olympia from the 9th - 12th January 2008. Why not pop along to stand SW135. Whether you are an existing CELCAT customer or just considering options we would be pleased to see you.