The impact of the International Partnership Development Fund
International connections are an essential part of our ambition to be a globally connected, international university for the world. For 17 years, our International Partnership Development Fund (IPDF) has supported University of Glasgow staff in their initial engagement with global partners. The IPDF continues to thrive, meeting staff demand for developing meaningful international connections, seed funding a record 47 projects worldwide last year.
Many of our international partners are unaware that the IPDF has facilitated their meetings with University of Glasgow staff. Since its launch, the IPDF has supported over 480 applications, enabling colleagues to connect with institutions in over 70 countries. The aim is simple: to assist in developing new international partnerships, provide a route for staff to undertake their initial international meetings, and, in some cases, offer a way to test the waters before considering more substantial investments.
"Without funding ... it is impossible to gather everyone for a sustained period to establish trust and agree on programme details."
Meaningful connections do not happen overnight so it’s good to note that some of the early IPDF applications were for visits to institutions that remain valued international partners today, such as Nankai University, Chulalongkorn University, IISER Pune and the University of Sydney.
Investment from colleges and schools, alignment with regional priorities
Key to the IPDF's success is the structure of the funding. Managed centrally by the International Relations team, University of Glasgow staff applying must also secure 50% match funding from their service or college. This requirement demonstrates commitment and ensures that the proposals support the individual, but also align with strategic priorities at cthe ollege and central level.
Over the years, the IPDF has provided seed funding for some of our closest partnerships. In 2013 an initial IPDF application for work with the University of the West Indies (UWI) was supported. This was followed by further applications to strengthen connections with UWI, deepening the partnership and keeping the exchange of ideas alive. Today, we continue collaborating with the University of the West Indies in a joint initiative, the Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research and together have launched a joint Master's degree.
Partnership development is based on mutual trust and respect - building international partnerships takes time. In 2016, an IPDF application enabled a member of the University staff to visit Malawi, reciprocated by a visit from a staff member from Malawi to the University of Glasgow. Today, the University of Glasgow continues the partnership, working closely alongside the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in the groundbreaking Blantyre-Blantyre project, as showcased in the first of our Partnerships for the World campaign.
Since 2011, Glasgow's involvement in the Erasmus Mundus programme has offered students unique international opportunities. During the initial stages, the IPDF supported planning meetings with potential Consortium members. An IPDF recipient noted, "Without funding for the first face-to-face meeting, it is impossible to gather everyone for a sustained period to establish trust and agree on programme details."
Supporting our Global Glasgow strategy
Initial support through the International Partnership Development Fund allows exploration and time to meet with partners, helping staff embark on meaningful international collaborations. In recognition of its importance, in 2021 the amount of funding in the IPDF was doubled to support key priorities outlined in our Global Glasgow: International Strategy 2025.
The fund has and continues to support a range of activities, from the first face-to-face visit with an international collaborator; developing articulations; preparing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) activity; initial meetings on research collaborations; to supporting staff in large delegation visits.
The enduring success of the International Partnership Development Fund (IPDF) exemplifies our commitment to being a university for the world. Through strategic funding and collaborative efforts, we have cultivated relationships that span continents and academic disciplines, demonstrating that our ambition to be a university for the world is not just a vision, but a thriving reality.