The Southampton Institute of ÖйúAƬ has launched what it believes is the first MBA by computer conferencing and the Internet.

Managers at all levels will take the MBA from any location in the world, writes Tim Greenhalgh.

Charles Jennings, head of electronic communications, said that the course would be accessible through a World Wide Web server located at the institute.

Students will open the relevant web page and use hot links to take part in computer conferencing, access the institute library and connect to the course ftp site.

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Type of student computer is also no problem. "We have the ability to cope with anyting from a Psion organiser to an IBM mainframe," Professor Jennings said.

Students will be able to contact their tutors and other course colleagues as well as making case studies, running business simulations and joining structured discussions.

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The institute hopes these links will provide students with a similar learning experience to that offered in "face-to-face teaching".

It also offers students the chance to access prestigious database centres such as the Harvard Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Sloan School of Management which both maintain sites on the Internet.

Chris Hutchinson, director of the institute's business school says: "The computer conferencing MBA is designed for those who want quality staff and peer support without the disruption and cost of attending a face-to-face meeting."

The MBA is designed as a series of "pathways" which include human resource development, contemporary issues in international business, and corporate regulation. These can be tailored to meet the needs of the student.

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These are built around a core shell of learning units in three stages which should be completed in 16 months, with either full-time, day-release or in-company options.

Professor Hutchison says that discussions are taking place with relevant professional bodies to ensure full recognition of the degree.