This document summarizes internationalization efforts at Newcastle University, including:
1. Strategic partnerships with other universities around the world for joint education programs, student exchanges, and specific research projects.
2. Establishing degree programs and partnerships in other countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore.
3. Internationalization activities and ambitions in the USA, including Fulbright scholarships, summer schools, scholarships to promote Anglo-American relations, academic fellowships, collaborative research networks, and strategic partnerships with schools like Boston University.
4. Efforts to internationalize experiences for students on campus through global experience opportunities, summer schools, and the open access language center.
1. Convocation Weekend 2012
15-16th June.
Prof. Ella Ritchie
An introduction to
Internationalisation at Newcastle
University
2. Internationalisation: Partnerships
Strategic partnerships
Strategic Partnering through
networks of universities Top down and
bottom up
Partnerships for joint education
programmes
Partnerships for purposes of
student exchange
Partnerships around specific
research projects
3. ‘Develop and sustain a number of high quality in-country operations and
partnerships to deliver excellence in teaching, training and research’
Newcastle Malaysia
4. Degree Programmes developed initially with the Singaporean
Polytechnic sector now with the Singapore Institute of Technology
5. ‘Develop a cohort of high quality partners abroad that share
our vision’
6. Internationalisation Activities
and Ambitions: USA
Example.
•Fulbright Scholars – Fulbright Summer Institute. We are
one of only 7 UK partner institutions. Extremely popular
and competitive with over 400 applications for 6 places.
•International Summer Schools – in collaboration with
partner institutions.
•US Scholarships – to promote Anglo-American Relations
(US Friends and Napolitano). We also offer 2 partial UG
and 1 partial PG Scholarship.
•Academic Fellowship – UCAL Berkley (2011/2012)
•Collaborative Research and Research Networks. – a key
focus of the International research strategy is enhancing
research collaborations with the US to work
collaboratively on global challenges, including food
security and environmental sustainability.
•Strategic Partnerships- NUBS/ Boston University School
of Management.
•Loyola Centre- Loyola University Maryland, USA, and
Newcastle University, UK, are engaged in an exciting new
initiative to develop a Loyola University Study Abroad
Centre on Newcastle University’s campus
•Study Abroad – Newcastle University students take part
in study abroad programmes at:
University of Vermont, University of Illinois at Urbana -
Champaign, Indiana University - Purdue University
Indianapolis, University of Colorado Boulder.
7. Internationalisation at home
Open Access
Our Global Experience Opportunity International Summer Schools and Language Centre
Students in India 2011 Immersion Programmes
As this pyramid shows there can be many forms of partnerships which span the breadth and depth of internationalisation activities in a HEI. It is not just about the scope of these partnerships/international relations but the depth, some for example are teaching-led but other may incorporate all facets of the partnership pyramid. Some relations are not time-bound, many relations develop (and change) over a period of time for example, what may start of as predominantly student mobility led, develop over time to the development of joint programmes, joint delivery, collaborative research and strategic partnerships. As part of the development of our Internationalisation Strategy, the 'type' of partner was considered and a distinction made between ' foundation partnerships ' and strategic partnership and an acknowledgement that each need varying levels of institutional sign-off, buy-in and commitment. In addition acknowledgement that partners are not just universities but many types of organisation. Also worthy of note is that a lot of consideration was given to the 'status and 'stages in international maturity' both internally and of our partners. And the inclusion of Professional Support Services who also have a key role in the contribution to (and impact upon) internationalisation.Unlike specific projects (which are time-bound, within a set period and a defined budget and with pre-defined outcomes and outputs, this may not be the case with strategic partnerships which evolve, we learn, we develop and we take a leap of faithFew high quality strategic partnerships, Groningen, Monash, Xiamen (ambassador, Confucius Institute) In-county delivery in Singapore (SIT) and Malaysia (NUMed)Stress how important it has been to get the balance right between strategic priorities whilst simultaneously allowing for the organic development of individual academic relations which are essential for creativity, innovation and cutting edge research.Drivers for partnership development aligned with our values, principles and influenced by our strategic vision but also through personal relations.Partnership development can be across the facets of partnership working for example SIT: Initially focused on UG teaching and this is now developing to incorporate research through joint PhD’s and through the engagement facets to include workforce development in (…) aligned to national and regional needs. The myriad of partnerships requires different levels of governance, university buy-in and commitment. (and exposure to risk)*Importance of our alumni in partnership development and the nurturing of relations lifelong learning (US Alumni association 1,000 members. * There is more we can do, for example through development of lifelong relationships with our alumni (enabling objective relates to Alumni and Network development and policy and debate inffulence0Newcastle is considering actively pursue partnering with networks of universities although a network of civic universities could be explored as part of our IS.So we have strategic partnerships which falls out of our organic and planned activity. This can be at institutional level or often aimed at a key internationalisation area for example study abroad and staff and student exchange and individual research collaborations and that with aligned commitment and vision these can give rise to more in-depth strategic partnerships which could align across the research, teaching and engagement facets (of the pyramid). So development can be lateral (across the facets) as well as vertical(movement up the pyramid).
There are currently two key offshore delivery operationsThe NUMed Campus (in South Malaysia), where we are looking to develop our presence beyond Medicine and Biosciences.In MalaysiaDelivery of Newcastle Accredited Medical degree to largely Malaysian studentsEmphasis on meeting UK and Malaysian accreditationHow does global student experience fit? An ethos of parity of experience, quality of programme and student experience is embedded in our in-country operations. but this needs to translate to a global student experience at our in-country relations.
NUIS, where we are (the lead international partner) delivering a number of programmes in collaboration with the Singapore Institute of TechnologySingapore: Programmes in Chemical EngineeringFood and Human NutritionMarine Engineering, Offshore Engineering and Naval ArchitectureMechanical design and Manufacturing Engineering( we are exploring the development of other programmes)Capacity building and civic mission for example taking the initiative to re-define Mental Health issues on MalaysiaIn Singapore We have had to face many practical challenges, these are a snapshot: We are using other people’s campus and facilitiesIssue of Singaporean junior college – style training of students and of the staff we are collaborating with. How to break down these attitudes to give a more global experience (desired by SIT). Differences in academic years (so examination period for semester 1 coincides with Chinese New Year)Graduation Ceremony a mammoth effort. (we even remembered to iron the robes!)Singapore Student Emersion programme of academic, social and cultural events in the UK.Demonstrated the importance of:Good relations with your host (institution and government)Importance of getting good staff ( and motivating and retaining them)Importance of supporting staff based overseas (work carried out by HR to support staff) sense of belonging, issues of progression, staff development and cultural issues (cultural norms different from our own)
Develop and sustain a number of high quality in-country operations and partnerships to deliver excellence in teaching, training , engagement and research.In keeping with and in order to enhance our global position we are developing significant strategic alliances with many of the very best universities and institutions in the world, these include: Shanghai Jiaotong University in China ; Xiamen University in ChinaMonash University in Australia and Groningen University in the Netherlands: Historical links with Groningen: Common purpose, alignment of values and guiding principlesWe value long-term partnerships (we are in this for the long haul) based on trust and open dialogue, but things can and do go wrong.Our partnership with Groningen has deepened opened up new opportunities new joint degrees and student and staff exchanges but also through opportunities for access to wider networks and collaborative opportunities (for example South Africa).New Developments the Loyola Centre : Loyola aims to tackle Science as a study abroad programme. Having a ‘US-Center’ on campus does make us a little different from most – esp. as it aims to tackle Science as a Study Abroad program of study’ Loyola have also been voted the number 1 university in ‘Master’s Colleges and Universities for Mid-length Study Abroad. The US audience would understand these rankings if you alluded to this strategic relationship. Xiamen -Confucius Institute: focal point for community, staff and student engagement.
Cornell University - Research Networks - CRE in collaboration with researchers from Cornell, Belfast, Aberdeen and Inverness formed the QUCAN networking group. The group shares interests in rural communities and economiesCase Western Reserve University - PEALS has links with the Center for Genetics Research, Ethics and Law (CGREAL) at this University. The Director is Eric Juengst, who is a leading Bioethicist and has long standing research collaborations with Erica Haimes (who sits on the international advisory board of CGREAL). Eric and other members of the Centre have visited PEALS and the two have developed plans to run a summer school for CGREAL students. Michigan State University- The Global research between Newcastle University and Michigan State University is funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering
Internationalisation at home (core objectives)Recruit and retain strong and diverse cohorts of highly-quality international staff and students.Develop and maintain international opportunities for staff and students.Attract the highest quality international researchers to Newcastle for research collaborations. Issue: could argue we have cultural diversity but little diversity of culture. Examples above of some of the Internationalisation at home portfolioAs part of the IS we are reviewingI@home Student Experience and Offering: NCL+ , UWLS, internationalisation of the curricula, buddying schemes, INTO, eat@Newcastle. Iinternationalisation of the cuisine (but must be authentic!) The development of truly global staff and students. The need for our students to become more cross-culturally competent and globally aware if they are to thrive in the global knowledge economy and to become active global citizens. Every person should benefit from an education that is Environmentally sound, Socially equitable, Culturally sensitive, Economically just.European Union policy makers have encouraged the development of university networks which encourage the development of a truly global staff and student experience.Our performance in the ISB Autumn 2011. Newcastle’s overall score for 2011 is 91.4% (ISB average 87.9%) RG Average (89.9%)We are working to increase the number of Fulbright Scholars. Refreshing the ISS and refocus on partnership development and enhancement, as part of Project 2012 we are reviewing the UWLS; and incorporating a global dimension and experience into student curricula.