international student enrichment programme @ the university of wolverhampton

www.wlv.ac.uk

International Student Enrichment Programme @

the University of Wolverhampton

Robbie RobertsSenior International Officer,

International Office25th June 2009

www.wlv.ac.uk

Internationalisation – What and Why?

DefinitionInternationalisation is … ‘the process of integrating an international/intercultural dimension into the teaching, research and service of an institution’ (Jane Knight, 1995)

Why internationalise?‘UK universities and the UK as a whole benefit greatly from international activities and, particularly, from the opportunity to educate citizens of other countries. This provides the UK with significant geopolitical and cultural benefits as well as broadening the educational experience of students and ensuring the diversity of the student body’ (Universities UK’s international strategy, March 2005)

www.wlv.ac.uk

Internationalisation and UoW

University Strategic PlanAll universities, their staff and students, benefit from

engagement with international issues, and from the contribution of international partners and students. Internationalisation as a perspective, however, must go wider…

Strategy Statement 2006-2011- key themes:• Internationalisation including curriculum, teaching and

learning, student life and staffing• Student recruitment and transnational education• Building in-depth relationships and maximizing the

contribution of international links to research, consultancy and knowledge partnerships

www.wlv.ac.uk

• International student recruitment/TNE

• The international student experience

• Internationalisation and home students

• Staff capability

• International partnerships

• Internationalising teaching, learning and research

• Knowledge Transfer & Commercial Enterprise

www.wlv.ac.uk

The international student experience

Pre Arrival Effective, efficientcommunication & support

In Wolverhampton Arrival: welcome events and Induction

During: language support, cultural events, trips, advice, local community events, integration, enrichment programme

After Wolverhampton Ongoing communication and Alumni relations

Avoid :“over-promise under-delivery”

www.wlv.ac.uk

International Student Enrichment Programme

8 June – 30 July 2009

www.wlv.ac.uk

What’s involved?

• CV Enhancement• Interview skills• Presentation skills• Career management• Employability• Leadership• Enterprise• 3-week work-placement

www.wlv.ac.uk

Student Benefits• Employers are looking for experience.• Graduate job market is very competitive• Do justice to students’ abilities (CV, interview

skills)• Add value to their degree• Academic and employer reference.• Personalised certificate on completion complete

with explanation of experience and skills acquired.

• Differentiation in the job market

www.wlv.ac.uk

Last year’s students• "A great opportunity to shadow three

different managers" Rachael Edionhon - studying MA Marketing Management

• "It was different, exciting and an attitude changer" Ejiro Ogboru - studying MSc Environmental Management

• "The organisers took the students' requests on board and provided very good placements" Romero Okikade - studying MSc Environmental Technology

www.wlv.ac.uk

University Benefits• Differentiation / USP• Strengthen links with local employers and

wider community• Utilises ‘Summer Semester’ (excess

capacity)• Produce more employable students• Learning more about our International

Students skills and needs• Home student potential?

www.wlv.ac.uk

•

Thanks for listening!

robbie.roberts@wlv.ac.uk