STUDENTS at Bury College certainly know where they're at by having the future mapped out for them.

And it's all thanks to a programme involving cybernetics, which is fast emerging as a new and positive study topic.

Students are working with the cybernetics department of Bradford University to point the way forward.

Earlier this month, Dr Harry Wilson gave a talk at the college, entitled "Water, Water Everywhere."

He opened a discussion on the technological challenges of delivering clean water to everyone throughout the world. A high-tech subject like cybernetics is not normally associated with water, but it is essential in our modern world to be inclusive.

Cybernetics is a coverall word for the study of the complete systems.

Generally, these systems are the computers and networks, but they include the people who use them and this must include the resources that they require to move into the global village. Good water supplies are the start of this.

Dr John Baruch, head of cybernetics at Bradford, said: "In cybernetics, we have degrees at the leading edge of wealth creation and we are delighted to work with Bury College to enthuse pupils with our vision and hear from them how it can be improved."

He added: "Cybernetics at Bradford has concentrated on the high-tech areas which include the Internet, robotics, artificial intelligence and all the associated areas that enable our economy to generate wealth.

During the next six weeks, there will be further discussions aimed at developing the vision.

For details, visit www.cyber.brad.ac.uk