Beyond Exchange Partners Week March 2025
From 10th-14th March the Global Opportunities Team hosted an International Staff Week for our European partners, as well as colleagues from University of Edinburgh and the Universitas 21 network. The theme of the week was 'Beyond Exchange: reaching more students through alternative mobility models', and the event was funded through the Scottish Education Exchange Programme (SEEP).
We spent the week discussing alternative models of student mobility beyond traditional semester and yearlong exchange, including Blended Intensive Programmes, short-term summer programmes, virtual programming, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), work-based learning and internships.
One of the highlights of the week was an insightful panel session where we heard from UofG students with a wide array of lived experience, who shone light both on the transformative impact international experiences had had on them, and on the barriers to participation students can face such as financial and time constraints, and imposter syndrome, and how we might overcome these.
We held a lively debate on green mobility, and considered concrete actions we could take both to encourage more sustainable modes of transport but also to support students to live more sustainably while on mobility and adopt long-term habits.
We also enjoyed two social receptions, at the Hunterian Museum and at the City Chambers, where we were hosted for a civic reception.
#uofgbeyondexchange | University of Glasgow Careers, Employability & Opportunity
March 10th- Monday Schedule
|
Time |
Location |
Item / Agenda |
|
09:30-10:00 |
237C ARC |
Registration and coffee |
|
10:00-10:50 |
237C ARC |
Welcome to UofG, Dr Andrew Struan, Director of Academic Services Overview of the week Participant introductions |
|
10:50-11:00 |
237C ARC |
Introduction to the ARC, Dr Ross Cameron, Event and Exhibition Producer, ARC |
|
11:00-11:20 |
237C ARC |
Coffee break |
|
11:20-11:50 |
237C ARC |
Overview of UofG’s international strategy, Charlotte Kedslie, Head of International Relations |
|
11:50-12:15 |
237C ARC |
Keynote speech: Reflections on mobility from an Erasmus Mundus alumna, Andreea Tint, Student Mobility Coordinator in College of Arts and Humanities |
|
12:15-13:15 |
237C ARC |
Lunch |
|
13:15-13:35 |
237C ARC |
Long-term exchange programmes at UofG: A look at our processes, numbers and trends, Lauren Hoare, Head of Global Opportunities |
|
13:35-13:45 |
237C ARC |
Studying in Glasgow: a visiting student’s perspective, Noah Reinhardt, Visiting Student Ambassador from the University of Bonn |
|
13:45-14:15 |
237C ARC |
Long-term exchange vs alternative models Part One: benefits and barriers to long-term exchange We will be discussing the following questions:
|
|
14:15-14:30 |
237C ARC |
Coffee break |
|
14:30-15:00 |
237C ARC |
Long-term exchange vs alternative models Part Two: solutions We will be discussing the following questions:
|
|
15:00-16:30 |
|
Campus Tour and group photograph |
|
17:00-18:30 |
Hunterian Museum, Main Building |
Welcome drinks reception with welcome toast by Rachel Sandison, Deputy Vice Chancellor – External Engagement and Vice Principal – External Relations |
March 11th- Tuesday Schedule
|
Time |
Location |
Item / Agenda |
|
09:30-10:00 |
237C ARC |
Welcome and coffee |
|
10:00-11:00 |
237C ARC |
Alternative mobility formats – case studies of successful models Prof Alexandru-Mihai Cartis, University of Bucharest – The CIVIS approach to Blended Intensive Programmes Prof Jim Murdoch – Europe and the Rule of Law Dr Michelle Bloor – H2O Pollution: holistic approach and nature-based solutions Dr Iain Findlay-Walsh - Sacred Sounds, Sacred Spaces: The Occidental Mediterranean
|
|
11:00-11:20 |
237C ARC |
Coffee break |
|
11:20-12:00 |
237C ARC |
Summer Programming – case studies of successful models Steven Trevallion, University of Tübingen Maili Vilson, University of Tartu Emmanuel Cenuse, University of Lausanne |
|
12:00-13:00 |
237C ARC |
Lunch |
|
13:00-14:20 |
237C ARC |
Embedding alternative mobility in the curriculum, Dr Ashley Lewis Cole, Learning and Teaching Strategy Manager
Ashley will present on UofG’s Curriculum for Life and lead a discussion on challenges and solutions related to embedding mobility within the curriculum
|
|
14:20-14:40 |
237C ARC |
Coffee break |
|
14:40-16:00 |
237C ARC |
Engaging students and staff in mobility This panel session will bring together our Student Representative Council, students from different backgrounds who have participated in mobility, and staff who have organised and run alternative mobility formats. The panel will discuss the benefits to students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in participating in mobility, the barriers they face, and how we can better engage students to participate, and staff to dedicate time to developing and running these programmes. Panel chair and members: Duncan Calvert, SRC representative for School of Modern Languages and Cultures Helen Martin, School of Education Dr Alvise Favotto, Adam Smith Business School Louis Stephen, student Two students from the School of Education |
March 12th- Wednesday Schedule
|
Time |
Location |
Item / Agenda |
|
09:30-10:00 |
237C ARC |
Welcome and coffee |
|
10:00-12:00 |
237C ARC |
Sustainability issues and green mobility Facilitated by Prof Ria Dunkley, Associate Director of Centre for Sustainable Solutions With a presentation from Lauren Crilly, UofG Eco-Hub Coordinator During this session we will discuss institutions’ current good practice in sustainability, before holding a debate on the following viewpoints:
|
|
12:00 |
|
Lunch |
|
13:00 |
|
An alternative tour of UofG: insights into our lesser-seen parts of campus |
March 13th- Thursday Schedule
|
Time |
Location |
Item / Agenda |
|
09:30-09:45 |
Senate Room |
Welcome and coffee |
|
09:45-12:00 |
Senate Room
|
COIL and virtual mobility Tara Sutton, International Programmes Officer, Universitas 21 Dr Ashley Lewis Cole, Learning and Teaching Strategy Manager Dr Gabriella Rodolico, School of Education Dr Francisco Valdera-Gil, School of Education In this session, Tara will lead a presentation and discussion of U21’s virtual programming offer. This will be followed by a presentation and discussion by Ashley, Gabriella and Fran on UofG’s approach to COIL, including newly launched guidance from academic staff, and successful models from the School of Education.
|
|
12:00-13:00 |
|
Lunch |
|
13:00-14:30 |
Senate Room |
Beyond Exchange: Towards Employability This panel session will consider how trends in mobility feed into student futures and will expand the discussion to include colleagues working in Careers, and the Higher Education sector more broadly.
Panel chair: Sarah Armour, Head of Employability and Student Opportunity, UofG Final panel members to be confirmed, but will include: Dr David Donaldson, Senior Policy Officer International, Universities Scotland Chelsea Ferguson, Projects Advisor, Study and Work Away, University of Edinburgh Lorna Dargan, Director of Careers Services, University of St Andrews |
|
15:00-16:00 |
Senate Room |
Summer or Short-Term Opportunities promotion session for students Our international partners will present short-term opportunities available at their institutions to UofG students during this session. Radboud University University of Bucharest University of Tartu University of Tübingen |
|
Evening |
17:30-19:00 |
Civic Reception at the City Chambers, with welcome from Lord Provost and Prof William Cushley, Assistant Vice-Principal International |
March 14th- Friday Schedule
|
Time |
Location |
Item / Agenda |
|
09:30-10:00 |
Senate Room |
Welcome and coffee |
|
10:00-12:00 |
Senate Room |
Internships and Work-Related Learning This session will run in a World Café format and will be attended by the following UofG colleagues involved in international internships or work-related learning: Dr David Bailey, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine Dr Matteo Ceriotti, School of Engineering Dr Craig Napier, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing Vincent Fitzsimmons, The Intern Group
|
What our Partners thought of Beyond Exchange?
Maria, Université Paris Cité
“The Beyond Exchange International Staff Week 2025 was an incredibly insightful and instructive experience, allowing me to learn a lot about alternatives to long-term exchange programs! Through a diverse range of activities, the Glasgow team went above and beyond not only to expand our knowledge and share professional practices in our respective fields but also to showcase what their university and city have to offer.”
Steve, University of Tubingen
"I attended this year's University of Glasgow International Staff Week 'Beyond Exchange - reaching more students through alternative models' and it went beyond my expectations!
From the passionate student panels to the in-depth discussions between my international colleagues, the challenges, insights and case studies of current student mobility filled my head with ideas. Coming together to listen and speak about how our experiences overlap and can be improved through cooperation was made possible by the excellent organisation of the University of Glasgow Global Opportunities team. Thank you so much!"
Kim, Radboud University
“Taking part in the “Beyond Exchange” staff training week at the University of Glasgow was a truly inspiring experience. From insightful sessions on short-term and virtual mobility, to engaging discussions on how to promote green travel among staff and students or prepare our students better for employability following a mobility abroad, the staff week’s programme highlighted the significance of our investment in providing mobility opportunities for all students who wish to participate in an international experience. Thank you for the warm welcome and the opportunity to learn and connect with colleagues from across Europe!”
Marie, Aix Marseille University: #uofgbeyondexchange | Marie TREDY
Tara, Universitas 21: It was an absolute honour to represent Universitas 21 at University of… | Tara Sutton
