Student to Launch 'Buddy Study'
A new, innovative approach to the student and learning experience is in the making at the University of Hertfordshire, in the form of a student-developed app called ‘Buddy Study’, one of the first of its kind in the country.
Imagine an app
The app is the result of the first UK Higher Education University-wide competition called ‘Imagine an App’, which challenged students and prospective students to come up with a concept for a mobile phone application that would improve both fellow and future students’ study experience.
Over one hundred entries were received of which seven were shortlisted. The finalists were invited to pitch their concept to a panel of judges consisting both of University staff and industry professionals, including Doug Chisholm (CEO of Rippll) and Martin Hicks (Co-Founder Iconic Mobile), who have both co-founded mobile marketing companies.
PhD Psychology student Andrew Laughland, who created the winning app, said: “I really enjoyed the ‘Imagine an App’ challenge. I tried to think of something that would meet the particular needs of students and which they could use throughout university life. Also, I wanted to come up with something that was based on research in my own subject area.”
Donald Mcleod, Head of marketing & recruitment at the University said: "The judges were delighted with the exceptional standard of entries. Our students demonstrated creativity, problem solving and a high level of technological understanding when pitching their ideas. We look forward to launching "Buddy Study" and the benefits it will bring all our students in their future studies."
The app
The winning entry, ‘Buddy Study’, is designed to help students overcome procrastination by linking up with another student “buddy” to commit to work simultaneously, but independently, at an agreed time in an agreed location. Additionally, the app will also remind students of upcoming deadlines.
More information
The ‘Buddy Study’ app will be developed during the summer and is set to launch at the University during fresher’s week in September 2012. ‘Buddy Study’ is free and has been designed to work across all mobile platforms for University of Hertfordshire students. A promotional video for the ‘Imagine an App’ competition can be found on YouTube.