FREE TOSHIBA NOTEBOOKS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PAVES THE WAY FOR FLEXIBLE LEARNING

Toshiba has announced that 400 students from the University of Surrey have received Toshiba Satellite notebooks enabling them to work and learn where and when they want. The Masters students, from Surrey e-Management school (SeMS), all received the free Satellite 1620CDS laptop computers when they recently enrolled at the university, allowing them to complete their degree course from anywhere in the country.

The University of Surrey is one of the first in the UK to provide laptop computers as a free learning aid for all its postgraduate business school students, whether full-time, part-time or completing a distance learning course. Access to flexible learning via a Toshiba notebook will mean students can stay in touch with the university anytime and anywhere.

"Our aim was to offer all our students the same access to the electronic learning materials which are such a big feature of our programmes," said Charles Croker, Deputy Director of Surrey e-Management School. "Through their laptops, students can now use electronic lectures to aid their studies, and will have access to a host of other interactive learning materials, no matter where they are in the world."

Falling notebook prices coupled with the education sector's adoption of the Internet as a learning and communications tool, has led to an increase in universities adopting and implementing mobile learning patterns. The days when notebook technology was only available for business executives are over. Now, anyone can benefit from using mobile technology at work, at school, and at home.

"More and more educational institutions are moving towards a 'mobile studying' ethic," said Andy French, notebook marketing manager for Toshiba Computer Services Division. "There's no reason why the best working models for students should be any different to those used in full time employment. Giving people the freedom to choose where and when they want to work enables them to do a more effective job."

Toshiba Information Systems (UK) Ltd
Based in Weybridge, Surrey, Toshiba's UK Computer Systems Division has gone from strength to strength since it was founded in 1985. Toshiba's success in the UK is due to its consistent approach to quality and its commitment to offering optimum value for money. Toshiba's achievements are reflected in the string of awards the company has received for its product and service.

About the University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is a forward looking professional, scientific and technological university with a world class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching and learning.

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