Puttnam to deliver lectures via the internet

Oscar-winning producer David Puttnam is set to deliver online interactive lectures to students worldwide from his converted coach house in Skibbereen.

The Chariot’s of Fire producer and champion of innovative education has taken a leap into the future by breaking down global geographic barriers.

The technology could lead to legendary names such as Martin Scorsese interacting with students on a global scale, he said.

“Marty would grab something like this and run with it,” said Mr Puttnam.

“The opportunity for them to talk to, interact with Scorsese would be phenomenal but you are not going to get him on a plane, taking a week out of his life to deliver a two hour lecture, it’s just not going to happen. With this technology, it could happen.”

Appointed chancellor of the Open University in 2006, Mr Puttnam’s pioneering ideology will enable greater sharing of expert opinion to students worldwide, while delivering higher productivity opportunities by cutting out travel time and costs.

He will begin delivering his lectures to students at University College Cork and beyond in September.