Putting Wolverhampton on a global map

 

Many UK universities wishing to put policy into practice could learn a thing or two from activities already under way at the University of Wolverhampton. The University’s internationalisation strategy dovetails seamlessly with Government plans to address the UK’s global education challenges as part of the Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education.

 

When the Government identified strong strategic alliances with overseas partner institutions as crucial, the University of Wolverhampton responded by reinforcing its already established links with Shenzhen Polytechnic in China, new partners the National Institute for Design and the National Institute for Fashion and Textiles in India, and the Ajman University of Science and Technology in Dubai by promoting student visits.

In the interests of advancing outward student mobility, 15 University of Wolverhampton students took part in a two-week cultural visit to China, which included stays at Shenzhen Polytechnic, a weekend with a local family and a weekend trip to Hong Kong. They received 30 hours of Chinese language lessons, martial arts classes and seminars on history, food and the economy in China.

 

It was the unique nature of this trip that appears to have scored a huge hit with students. Jade Griffiths, who was one of the participating students, says:

 

“It was an amazing experience; we did things we would never have done as tourists. We were all mesmerised and in awe at the things we saw and experienced.”

 

On their return, these students have been encouraged to share their experiences among their fellow students and also have the chance to go back to Shenzhen and teach English for nine months as assistant language teachers after they graduate. What better ambassadors for Wolverhampton could the University ask for?

 

The trip has proved to be so successful that other new international experience initiatives are planned. A trip to Dubai is proposed and a three week visit to India has already gained funding through the Prime Minister’s Initiative. Students from Wolverhampton’s partner institutions in India will make the return trip, establishing greater bonds and an increasing flow of students between the institutions.

So with many more University of Wolverhampton students poised to experience the wider world, both the institution and its students stand to gain a competitive edge. Director International at the University of Wolverhampton, Jo Gittens, says:

 

“We are actively encouraging domestic students to venture overseas, which is helping to make them more employable in this increasing global environment.”

 

This thinking is in accord with Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, who recently wrote to Vice Chancellors, encouraging them to create more opportunities for students to go abroad in order to help them compete for jobs in the global market place.

 

Add these initiatives to the thriving international community which exists at Wolverhampton, which already attracts students from over 128 different countries, there is clear evidence that the reputation of the University is spreading around the globe. The established presence of Regional Offices in India, Malaysia and China continue to consolidate historically rich recruitment hotspots, whilst new offices in Africa and Poland actively target emerging markets in Central and West Africa, Poland and Eastern Europe. The University also has a large number of Contracted Educational Advisors representing the University around the world.

 

So, when asked how the University of Wolverhampton is giving its graduates a competitive edge in the global job market and raising its own international profile, one of the most land-locked Universities in the UK can claim to be doing rather more than simply staying above water, it’s positively riding the crest of a wave.