University of Malta Rector Professor Juanito Camilleri this week launched a new e-learning BSc (Hons) Health Science course programme. The academic top-up degree for qualified health care

professionals is being offered by the Institute of Health Care and will replace previous diploma-to-degree programmes that various divisions at the Institute have been offering.

The programme was devised and designed by the Nursing Division, with the other divisions contributing to the further development of the course. This programme marks a radical shift in teaching and learning practices on several counts:

• Flexibility – students will be able to choose whether they pursue the programme in two, three or four years;

• Multi-disciplinary – professionals from all health care professions will be eligible to pursue this programme;

• E-learning pedagogy – it represents a radical move from face-to-face classroom teaching to social learning and learning communities with the help of Web 2.0 (and now Web 3.0) technologies, enabling flexibility in the learning and assessment processes;

• Content – it is radically different from previous diploma-to-degree programmes.

The focus is on developing critical thinkers, readers and writers, rather than learning discipline-specific knowledge.

The aim of the programme has always been one of an inclusive multi-disciplinary classroom, whereby different professionals and educators teach and learn together, creating communities of learners that, in time, will have a positive impact on the professional health care community and the services provided.

The launch was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Health Joe Cassar, Institute of Health Care chairman and University Chancellor Prof-essor John Rizzo Naudi and Institute of Health Care director Sandra Buttigieg, together with lecturers and candidates selected for the programme.

Further information about the programme is available at: www.um.edu.mt/ihc/infostudents/undergraduate/hscsh