Introducing new online programs in Bioscience/Biotechnology

March 8, 2013 - PRLog -- The Voyage Institute is a nonprofit research & educational organization, located in Florida, is dedicated to training and educating children and adults.

The Institute is now offering online educational programs for elementary, middle, high school and university learners and adults. The programs are geared towards the academically inclined and those who want to enter the scientific workforce for a wide range of career opportunities including laboratory assistant, research scientist, forensic technician, and many more.

Like the Voyage Institute, there are several schools that offer online courses and degrees such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Maryland. A report by www.onlineschools.org states that, by the year 2014, approximately 19 million learners are estimated to take at least one online course and the numbers are expected to increase in the future.

It is a known fact that the concept of distance learning is more than a century old. However, online learning/E-learning is relatively new (about 2 decades old) and has changed the face of education. According to Brian Kelly, editor of US News, “Online education is becoming an essential part of the higher education landscape. Students and employers are increasingly finding value in the way subjects can be mastered in a digital environment” (1).

The Voyage Institute’s educational programs are different from other online programs. The Voyage’s primary focus is Bioscience/Biotechnology education, which forms an essential part of our lives and constitutes one of the fastest growing career fields with countless opportunities for anyone with a science background. Some of the courses offered by the Institute include, The Fundamentals of Biotechnology; Retooling Adults for Biotechnology careers; The World of Biotechnology.

What are the advantages of getting an online education in Biotechnology? Online school eliminates the need for sitting through boring lectures in a classroom. The learners have the luxury of listening to lectures and taking notes in the comfort of their own homes or the nearest facility with an internet connection. Also, there are many villages/ remote areas around the world which do not have a good educational institution or do not offer Biotechnology. The Voyage Institute’s online school takes care of that problem by providing access to education to those living in such areas.

It is not just the underprivileged individuals who benefit from online education. According to Joel Hartman, “The need for lifelong learning and advanced degrees has led an increasing number of "non-traditional" students to seek higher educational opportunities, while balancing the demands of family and employment” (2). A growing number of full-time working professionals are pursuing online education to change their career paths or sharpen their skills and move up the ladder in their own lines of work.  The Institute’s online schools allow them to create their own study times based on their work schedules and give them the flexibility of completing assignments within a reasonable time frame. Same holds true for K-12 learners involved in competitive sports and activities or those who simply want to study at home.

Besides Biotechnology, the Voyage Institute’s curriculum integrates math, reading, writing, research, ethics, social studies, politics, law, and other areas of study. They also emphasize on a solid hands-on approach to learning by offering practical programs. The learner will get to be innovative, work on research projects and learn all the relevant laboratory skills and techniques in biotechnology. According to Governor Patrick, “Supporting innovation propels our economy forward and prepares our citizens for the 21st century global marketplace”. (3).  

The hands-on methods will be taught on-site or will be brought to the learner. If the learners are not located in the United States or near The Voyage Institute, there’s no need to worry. Through partnerships/collaborations with other educational organizations and biotech/science companies, The Institute will set up laboratory training facilities in the needed community.

By studying these courses and undergoing rigorous practical training, individuals will have choices of career opportunities when returning to or entering the workforce for the first time. Individuals having full time/ part-time jobs or a second profession and still be able to pursue Biotechnology courses. They will be able to balance job and class, and obtain a specialized degree/certificate from the Institute.

The Voyage Institute boasts of a faculty (scientists and lecturers), distinguished in the fields of  Biotechnology. The instructors are mostly PhDs, senior scientists and/or professors at some of the most prestigious universities. This ensures that prospective learners will get the best possible education, through their expert tutelage. Those who study online courses are given plenty of chances to interact with their instructors or peers, through online chat, email and group discussions, forums etc. They can discuss their concerns related to the course content without having to wait for office hours.

As an incentive to high achieving learners, The Voyage Institute is giving away 10 free 4-year scholarships, every year, for those who wish to pursue higher education in the mentioned areas. Additionally, the Institute’s online school provides courses, degrees and/or certificate programs, textbooks at much lower costs than public universities and private institutions, thereby making education more affordable, especially for the underprivileged and economically afflicted learners. Individuals living in remote regions of the world can avoid expenses related to travel, lodging and huge educational loans.  

The Institute seeks to engage more in partnerships/collaborations with other educational organizations (local and international), writers, foundations, businesses, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and scientific companies, universities, not-for-profit organizations and the likes for sponsorship, raising public awareness and understanding of Bioscience/Biotechnology, preparing a well trained workforce for the future and providing a platform for achieving the stated goals.

Visit the websites www.biovoyage.org and www.thevoyageinstitute.com. Suggestions and help are welcome from anyone who shares common interests and goals. For more information on how you can get involved, contact Dr. Josh Calderon: info@thevoyageinstitute.com.  

1.      http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2013/01/14/why-us-news-ranks-the-best-online-education-programs
2.      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joel-hartman/massive-open-online-course-effectiveness_b_2768926.html
3.      http://sampan.org/2013/03/governor-patrick-announces-major-life-sciences-investment-in-western-massachusetts/