The recipient of the first UK Masters degree in Local & Regional Economic Development will graduate from the University of Dundee tomorrow, Friday July 11.
The unique three year programme is run by the Economic Development Distance Learning Consortium (EDDLC) - a partnership between the Universities of Dundee, Sheffield Hallam and Coventry, and the Institution of Economic Development(IED), the UK's leading professional association of economic development practitioners.
Five years ago, following an initiative from the University of Dundee's School of Town & Regional Planning, it was agreed that the IED's professional examinations should be run through a distance learning programme combining the economic development expertise of the three universities. The resulting EDDLC programme operates from the University of Dundee, although the degree is a combined product of the three universities.
Students can complete the qualification in three stages, beginning with a post graduate certificate in local and regional economic development which also allows full membership of the IED. During the next two years of the course, students have the option to complete modules and a dissertation, taking them to Diploma level, then finally MSc level.
Nick Rogers is the first student in the UK to complete the Masters degree programme. He did so while based in Northern Ireland as an economic development practitioner with North Down Borough Council. He will visit Dundee to graduate in the Caird Hall on Friday morning.
Nick will be available for a photograph on the steps of the Caird Hall after tomorrow morning's ceremony, which finishes at approximately 12.15pm
By Jane Smernicki, Press Officer 01382 344768 j.m.smernicki@dundee.ac.uk