Highlands College Students Tasked with Creating IoD Jersey Debate Website

Posted: 17/08/2012

A team of students from Highlands College has created the official website for year’s Institute of Directors (IoD) Debate, with the specific aim of engaging and interacting with young people.

Reflecting that this year’s IoD Debate, sponsored by law firm Carey Olsen, will consider whether a ‘digital Jersey’ could kick start a new aspect to Jersey’s economy and attract young technical and business entrepreneurs to the Island, the IoD invited Highlands College students to create the website for the event.

As well as including details about the Debate, information about the speakers and panellists, background information about the topics to be discussed, a facility to register and links to the IoD’s Twitter and LinkedIn pages, the new website at http://debate.iod.je also features a survey that aims to analyse the thoughts of young people who have an interest in the technology sector in Jersey.

Chris Reid and John Holmes, students on the FdSc Information Technology for Business Degree at Highlands College, accepted the challenge to build the website. Under the supervision of Stuart Philip, Curriculum Leader for IT at Highlands College, they spent over 20 hours building the site. Commenting on their part in the IoD Debate, Stuart Philip said:

“Chris and John were delighted to put their technology skills that they have developed on their degree course to the test in such a practical way. We are delighted that the IoD in Jersey sought to involve young technical people in the debate.”

John Holmes commented:

“In developing the website for the IoD Debate, we have used numerous features such as an interactive survey, as well as Twitter and LinkedIn integration, in the hope of generating interest amongst both students and professionals. We're delighted the IoD is pleased with our contribution.”

Chris Reid added:

“Creating the IoD Debate website was done by using the practical knowledge we had acquired during our degree-related work experience. The lessons learned from creating the website and being able to work in a business environment are extraordinary benefits, as it takes what the books tell you and applies that to real life. It has given us added confidence in our abilities.”

The IoD debate’s organising committee chairman, Steve Hunt, expressed his enthusiasm for the Highlands College students’ role:

“We were conscious that Digital Jersey could contribute significantly to the employment and future prospects of young people, whether they are technology minded or not, and so inviting local students to be part of the build-up to the Debate was a natural step. John and Chris have built an excellent website and they will join the Debate on the night together with other sixth form students, so that they can express their views and ask questions that might help lay the foundations for a successful Digital Jersey business sector.”

The Highlands College FdSc Information Technology for Business Degree was established in 2009. From September 2013, students completing the FdSc course will be able to study their final top-up year to achieve a BSc (Hons) degree in Jersey. The programme, designed in partnership with the local IT Industry and validated by Plymouth University, covers a broad range of IT topics including programming, networking, web design, systems analysis and information security, as well as a range of business-focussed modules.

The IoD Debate, entitled ‘The BIG Idea - could Digital Jersey be the catalyst for a new pillar to our economy?’, will take place on Thursday 20th September at the Hotel de France, starting at 4.15pm. The event is open to everyone and tickets are priced at £65, including drinks reception and two course dinner. Tickets can be obtained from Kirsten Higgins, IoD Jersey Branch Officer, on tel. +44 (0) 1534 610799 or email jedirector@localdial.com.