Tourism students to attend masterclass

Eight exceptional UCLan Tourism students have been selected to join a Masterclass at RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

The two-day interdisciplinary and transnational workshop takes place during October, with around 50 students from across Europe expected to attend. This is Europe's first project focused on improving 'slow' as opposed to 'high-speed' rail networks. Like high speed rail, slow rail is linked with social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable territorial development, but finds itself under threat from falling public subsidies.

However, there are opportunities to strengthen regional rail, by encouraging its use and through new partnerships with the general public. The Masterclass will see students exchange knowledge and ideas on station development plans, with a view to increasing people's involvement in the planning process.

Dr Richard Weston, Director of SSTO's Institute of Transport & Tourism, believes the Masterclass is an excellent opportunity: "We are delighted our students have been chosen to take part in this event, which will hopefully help improve the ways the European rail network is developed in the future.

"In addition, this is a great chance for UCLan students to expand their global horizons, as part of our commitment to providing them with a world-class learning experience."