14 business focus
Global links improve students’ career choices
Southampton Solent University has expanded its international overseas student population, as well as increasing international partnership collaborative activities during the past three recruitment cycles. Concluding a series of profiles, Sue Hughes met deputy vice-chancellor Mike Wilkinson
Southampton Solent University has been quick to spot the value of global partnerships in a world where graduates have unprecedented access to worldwide networking and overseas career progression choices.
The Faculty of the Creative Industries and Society (FCIS) manages three primary international partnership markets: BIB International College in Germany, Norges Kreative Fagskoke in Norway, and eight in China.
Despite the Faculty’s concentration on three key recruitment markets, partnerships and working relationships have been established with higher education institutions elsewhere. Wilkinson explains: “This is very much a two-way interaction. We don’t just take international students to generate funds. All industry is now global or international because what you are doing is out there on the web. A UK student abroad tends to be a holiday or gap-year stereotype, but overseas placements build confidence and highlight opportunities.“
The Norwegian School of Creative Studies offers 12 vocational two-year advanced diplomas, enabling student progression to the second, or final year of UK undergraduate study. There is a natural affinity between the FCIS and NKF course portfolio, coupled with a dedication to the integration of theory and practice.
The Faculty’s international recruitment is currently dominated by this partnership. The partnership has expanded rapidly from the initial link with BA (Hons) Graphic Design in 2007. The course continues to recruit the highest number of students, with 18 new enrolments last September.
NKF Diploma progression routes have been formalised across the full course portfolio. Student satisfaction levels remain high, and NKF’s senior management team and academic staff have expressed their satisfaction with the operation of the close, friendly partnership fostered during the past six years.
BIB offers vocational education in the fields of business management, information technology and design. All training programmes are combined with projects and practical work experiences of two to 12 months which have to be taken at local
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foreign language. The level of education in general and language skills in particular play an important role for personal success. English has established itself in recent years as the most important language in the business world and is essential for correspondence or negotiations with foreign customers or partners, but Spanish and Chinese are becoming increasingly important.“
Wilkinson continues: “Increasing numbers of Chinese students are coming to the UK and a recent delegation from Shanghai visited Solent and ABP. Vice-chancellor Van Gore and myself have been asked to return because they are looking at establishing a cruise academy to cater for demand generated by the expanding well-off middle class.
“One district is developing a cruise terminal, which is where our business school, tourism expertise and Warsash Maritime Academy can cover all relevant aspects. This is an extremely good fit for Solent. The former Warsash dean works with London Maritime and Solent Maritime, ideally placed to highlight our offering at a time when business is moving from Europe to emerging economies.“
Mike Wilkinson
companies or, if required by the programme, abroad. The relationship with Solent began in 2006 and BIB students complete a two- year HND/foundation degree in vocational subjects including communications, media, technology or business. Their courses include a high degree of technical training, enabling progressions to BA (Hons) Media Production or BA (Hons) Promotional Media at SSU.
“The partnership is currently working on international employment initiatives for the future, and placing students with employers,“ says Wilkinson. “We have placed a German student with an IT employer in Basingstoke. In turn, one of our students has gone to Munich. German students speak good English. It’s more difficult the other way, but for a relatively long-term placement you need a working knowledge. It also adds to a wider appreciation of another culture.
“Many international students who come here to top up continue to a Masters, having seen Solent’s blended manner of theoretical and practical learning. There is flexibility in the UK system which doesn’t exist widely in Europe.“
Georg Harmann, managing director at BIB, adds: “It makes sense to acquire another
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – MARCH 2013
Another link is with Saudi Arabia, through 200 Middle East students at Solent, sponsored through the Saudi Cultural Bureau: “This collaboration is set to become an official partnership, the first of its kind where we will work with the Bureau, not another university. A key competitive advantage for Solent is having Arabic and Mandarin speakers in the international office, because having the right people is fundamental in establishing links.“
Tim Gaskin, associate dean (operations) for FCIS, concludes: “We have focused on developing a small number of real strategic partnerships with overseas providers in our chosen markets. We put a lot of time and effort into establishing and maintaining these and even though some will fall by the wayside, the ones that work can be tremendously productive for both parties.
“The key to success has been the creation of meaningful working relationships between our own academics and those in the partner institutions.“
Details:
www.solent.ac.uk
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