Lack of CTI does not mean lack of initiative

The decision to set up a Computers in Teaching Initiative (CTI) centre for art and design (News, DW 26 January), is a welcome move. However, your article implied that Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication has failed to embrace digital technology. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We are committed to new technologies, as detailed in our mission statement, which reads: “Our distinctiveness is based upon the creative exploitation of digital technologies in design and communication”, a commitment which is reflected in recent developments.

Ravensbourne has enthusiastically adopted internetworking through JANET, which has subsequently led to our inclusion in stage one of the London MAN (Metropolitan Area Network). We are now looking forward to developing exciting applications over this state-of-the-art network, especially in the areas of video and moving image.

Ravensbourne’s current re- search plans focus on the use of high-speed networking in education, thus reinforcing our links with other higher education institutions in Europe and the US, as well as in the UK.

The criteria for hosting the CTI centre take into account many issues, not only the computing and technological provision of the college, but the financial and course delivery infrastructure.

However, the major reason for Ravensbourne not applying to host the CTI centre is simply the fact that it no longer has a fine art provision.

Anyone who would like to see what our commitment to digital technologies means in practice should visit the college on one of our open days, held at 2.00pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays until March 14th 1996.

Catherine Baldwin

Marketing and PR officer

Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication

Chislehurst

Kent BR7 5SN