UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
INTERNATIONALISATION TASK & FINISH GROUP
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONALISATION TASK & FINISH
GROUP, HELD ON 21 JANUARY 2009
Present:
Apologies:
Prof N Armstrong (Chair), Mr R Aalto, Ms B Powell, Prof K Evans, Mr
J Hutchinson, Prof J Kay, Mr J Lindley, Ms E Munro, Ms N Padget
(Secretary). Prof R Van de Noort, Ms A Verhamme, Prof A Wride (for
Prof R Lamming)
Prof J Barry, Ms S Hills, Dr J Withrington
ITF.09/1
MEMBERSHIP AND OPENING REMARKS
1.1
The Chair welcomed those present including new member Ralf Aalto
for the ASA. He requested that members diarise two hours for future
meetings in order to allow sufficient time to cover the anticipate
Agenda.
The Chair updated the Group on recent international activity including
positive visits by senior management to China, Taiwan and Hong
Kong. These were supporting ongoing efforts to establish meaningful
relationships with key universities globally.
In China discussions were underway with Fudan (Finance), ECNU
(SELL, SECAM & SHS), Tsinghua (CWS, Aerospace & Astrophysics
and potentially Business) and CUPL (Law, HUSS and Psychology).
A bid to PMI for funds to support a summer school pilot at CUPL had
been successful, and activities were underway to send the first group
of students to China this summer.
In Hong Kong staff had met with representatives from Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Hong Kong
University (HKU). The Dean of Engineering from HKUST may be
visiting Exeter in February.
Prof Lamming would be visiting China and Hong Kong in March to
follow up some of these initiatives. The Vice Chancellor’s travel for the
next three years was also being planned
A key feature of future partnership development would be a focus on
sustainable research collaboration. In the longer term triangulation
between Exeter and partners may be possible. University wide
partnerships will only be progressed with top ranked HEIs in order to
leverage further brand awareness amongst our peers globally.
Specific partnerships in strategic pursuit of a School’s aims were also
appropriate; i.e. the potential partner’s ranking to reflect subject
specific strengths.
The Chair also reported on visits last year to Science Parks in China
and Taiwan. It was suggested that developing mechanisms for more
direct engagement with international businesses, for purposes other
than the provision of placements, may be an area for the Group to
explore in more detail.
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
ITF.09/2
MATTERS ARISING
2.1
Terms of Reference for the four sub-groups had been circulated.
Reports from the sub groups would be brought to the next meeting.
2.2
TOR 1: Growing overall international fee paying student numbers to a
set target – and whether this can be achieved through a top down or
bottom up approach (to be assessed by the appropriate sub-groups)
and how this should be calibrated.
It was noted that the International Office liaises with the UK Recruitment
team in respect of recruitment of international students from the UK.
Competition from the USA could increase as a result of the ‘Obama
effect’, but economic and immigration factors were felt to be more
relevant in the short to medium term. Increased use of agents by US
universities was also potentially significant. The creation was noted of a
Task & Finish Group to explore implications of the Points Based System
(PBS).
Action: Group will be kept informed of roll out of PBS and any
implications for Exeter and sector as a whole.
2.3
TOR 2: Developing an ‘Exeter’ approach to building partnerships with
key high quality HE partners overseas, e.g. the types of package we
offer, where we offer it and to whom.
AV and BP reported that School Managers had expressed a desire for
provision of some standard guidance in respect of partnerships (e.g.
legal and financial advice, potential models and guidance as to
preferred approaches for research vs recruitment driven relationships).
The request was made however to ensure that the ability to implement
should be interpreted flexibly in order to meet client needs. It was
agreed that University-level partnerships may need a higher degree of
standardisation than School specific arrangements.
The Group welcomed the idea of a central fund to support start-up costs
associated with exploration of potential partnerships, but noted the need
to focus support in such a way as to incentivise positive and timely
outcomes. A clear link with RKT may be one approach whereby existing
or anticipated research funding could be used to leverage further
international funding. It was suggested that MOUs should include a
provisional collaboration plan to identify resourcing implications and time
specific benchmarks in order to facilitate the allocation of such
resources.
Action: International Office to proceed with publication online of
templates for partnership activities and Register of
Agreements, and to consider any necessary amendments to
design of MOUs / MOAs.
2.4
TOR 3: Building strong international recognition of the University’s
achievements and aspirations.
The Chair reported that a meeting had been arranged with John O’Leary
to discuss global rankings methodology. It was agreed that the TOR
should be amended to reflect how the University intends to target
improvements to our league table position, e.g. identify
recommendations to improve the University’s global ranking, and
international recognition of the University’s achievements and
aspirations.
Action: Chair to report outcomes at future meeting.
2.5
TOR 4: Developing new markets in Europe to build PGT and PGR
routes.
AW reported on the rationale for Business School consideration of
European markets as a mechanism to reduce risk, increase cultural mix
and grow PGR recruitment. There was recognition that exchanges may
be more relevant than traditional full-time study.
Action: AW to circulate Graduate Intern report of European
opportunities for Business School.
2.6
TOR 5: Building an international environment on our campuses.
JH reported on creation of an Internationalisation Group within the
Students’ Guild which would review outcomes of the International
Student Barometer (ISB), and in particular consider what interventions
the Guild might undertake to encourage more formal and informal links
between home and international students. The incoming Director of
Campus Services and Director of Sport would both need to deliver
services which responded to the needs of international customers.
It was noted that the introduction of PBS had implications for the
appointment of international staff. Personnel hoped to create a post to
co-ordinate visa applications and training needs for international staff,
but this was resource dependant. It was noted that cultural awareness
training for staff, whether in a general or academic context, is currently
ad hoc. The absence of a centrally co-ordinated ‘package’ was felt to be
a barrier to improving service delivery and meeting customer needs
Action: JH to keep Group informed of developments within the Guild.
2.7
TOR 6: Building an International curriculum for all students
It was agreed that such activity needs to be embedded within the
context of a revised Education Strategy. Addressing mechanisms to
ensure School engagement was fundamental to success. It was noted
that Sue Birkhill was completing a strategy on e-learning which may also
be relevant.
Action: JW to discuss with David Gibson and report to future meeting.
2.8
TOR 11: Encouraging all applicants to have an additional language at
GCSE or equivalent.
JK reported that to make this a formal entry requirement would be
contrary to steps to increase overall tariff score. Instead consideration
should be given to a means whereby students and staff could access a
greater variety of language training whilst at University.
ITF.09/3
ANY OTHER BUSINESS/DATE OF NEXT MEETING
3.1
TOR 7: Developing an overseas presence.
Action: MEO & China sub groups to report.
3.2
TOR 8: The establishment of placement services, both abroad and with
international organisations within the UK, for graduating and current
students.
It was noted that the Careers and Employment Service had proposed a
possible model for Chinese placements, but that its implementation was
dependant on suitable resourcing. The Chair reported that a contact at
Fidelity Hong Kong had offered placements during a meeting with the
Vice Chancellor. DARO would be taking forward.
Action: NP to circulate CES report with minutes.
3.3
TOR 9: The provision of Study Abroad opportunities.
Action: JW to provide position paper for future meeting.
3.4
TOR 10: Developing a vibrant staff exchange programme (academic
and non-academic staff) with partner HEIs.
JL reported that discussions were at an advanced stage regarding the
acquisition of a property which could be used to provide short term
accommodation. In the longer term accommodation in our around
Duryard / Thomas Hall may also be suitable for such use.
3.5
TOR 12: The international role played by the University in respect of its
research and consultancy services.
Action: Sean Fielding to report.
3.6
AW reported that the Business School had just developed an online tool
to collect information from staff about their international contacts. The
technology may be of interest to other Schools wishing to do likewise.
Dates of next meetings (two hours durations) as follows:
 Wednesday, 18 February 2009
 Tuesday, 17 March 2009
 Wednesday, 29 April 2009
 Friday, 29 May 2009