Current Research Programme

 

Guide to Enhancing the International Student Experience

The International Unit has commissioned i-graduate to produce a guide for those on campus charged with enhancing the university experience for international students. There will be recommendations for international offices, student support services, senior management and the UK sector as a whole - the guide is intended to be accessed by all levels within universities.

Interpreting historical data collected through the International Student Barometer, the guide will inform and advise UK universities of best practice when working with international students.  The data will be used to identify trends over time so university colleagues can ascertain if certain issues are becoming more or less important to international students.  What are the key areas of importance and, perhaps more importantly, can we identify areas of dissatisfaction?  The data will be supplemented with case studies to illustrate how the experience can be enhanced.

The report will be published and made available to UK university staff in early 2010.

Consultant: i-graduate

Steering Group: Stephen Williams (Assistant Director, International Office, University of Warwick); Jo Purves (Head of the International Office, Northumbria University); Professor Philip Garrahan (Pro Vice-Chancellor - Academic Development, Sheffield Hallam University); Geoff Pringle (Director, Campus Services, University of Exeter); Jo Doyle (Head of the International Office, University of Southampton); Frances Meegan (Careers Adviser, Cambridge University);  Beatrice Merrick (Director Services and Research, UKCISA); Richard Kington (Director of Accommodation Services, University of Edinburgh); Tracey Wells (Assistant Director, Oxford University Careers Service); Dr Heather Forland (Head of International Development, Kingston University London); Maggie McNorton (Head of International Partnerships, University of Glamorgan); Dr David Pilsbury (Pro Vice-Chancellor - International, University of Coventry); Christina Yan Zhang (NUS National Executive); Zena Wooldridge (Director of Sport, University of Birmingham).

 

Higher Education Trends and Developments in the Middle East: Opportunities for UK Universities

This project will provide in-depth intelligence on the opportunities and barriers to greater collaboration with HE systems and institutions in the Middle East.  It is motivated by the high level of importance now attached to the Middle East by UK universities. 

The project will incorporate: an overview of existing UK and competitor activities in the Middle East; an an analysis of demand for HE in the region, including views of skills requirements; analysis of how MENA higher education markets work; risk assessments for UK HEIs engaged in the region. The information collected will be made available to UK universities to guide future engagement strategies in the region.

The following countries will be covered: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Oman and Morocco.  Co-funded with the British Council.

Consultant: Illuminate Consulting Group

Steering Group: David Lock (Director of International and UK Projects, Leadership Foundation); Kathy Patterson (Academic Registrar & Deputy Secretary, Heriot-Watt University); Joanne Purves, (Director of International Development, Northumbria University); John Withrington (Dean of International Development, Exeter); Gordon Campbell (International Relations Adviser, University of Leicester); Judith Lamie, (International Director, University of Leeds); Alison Devine (Deputy Director, UAE, British Council); Sally Ward (Regional Higher Education Projects Manager, British Council, Saudi Arabia);  Ibrahim Al-Najjar, Assistant Director Projects, British Council, Saudi Arabia).