The University held its inaugural Internationalisation Conference on Tuesday 20 March where staff had the chance to share practical advice on supporting their international activities.

More than 160 colleagues attended the event held in and around the Kelvin Galleries where they were welcomed by Professor Andrea Nolan, Senior Vice Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor.

Dr Chris Yeoman, Head of Policy at the UK Higher Education International Unit, delivered a keynote speech on the opportunities and challenges for internationalisation presented by the EU. He touched on the Erasmus for All programme, the proposed new research and innovation programme Horizons 2020, and the progress of the Bologna process.

Dr Yeoman was followed by graduate Kian Golzari and students Kate Goldie and Lynsey Wallace who spoke of the benefits they derived from study abroad opportunities and the internationalisation of the student experience.

Delegates were then able to attend a series of workshops and presentations delivered by staff that covered three key themes: developing international collaborations, international research and the student experience. All sessions were well attended and highly-informative. All of the presentations are available to view at the link below.

Professor Andrea Nolan said: “We had an excellent response and attendance at the inaugural internationalisation conference which demonstrates the interest and commitment of our staff to achieve our international goals.

“The University, ever since its foundation, has been outward-looking and international in its scope but the increasingly global and inter-dependent nature of the world means internationalisation has become crucial to our continued success.

“Glasgow already engages with a huge range of partners and collaborators across the world but there is much more we can do to cement our place as one of the world’s great universities.

"Through the range of presentations, workshops and keynote lectures, staff shared expertise and experience on a range of topics and I am very appreciative of the contributions of staff and students from across the university"

To support the development of collaborations around the world, funding is available from the International Partnership Development Fund (IPDF). Already, £40,000 has been committed to support partnership development this year and some funds remain. Colleagues are invited to submit applications for partnerships that will lead to some form of collaborative programme, development of international curricula, joint PhDs or the establishment of mobility or placement opportunities. Further details are available at the link below.

http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/internationalisation/internationalisationconference/2012conferencepresentations/

http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/internationalisation/fundingopportunities/

 

First published: 16 April 2012

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