2. 3CONTENTS
05
2014-15 IN NUMBERS
06
OUR PRIORITIES
08
WHAT UK HE SAYS
ABOUT US…
09
KEEPING THE SECTOR
INFORMED
12
HELPING UK UNIVERSITIES
TO DEVELOP THEIR
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
18
INCREASING INFLUENCE
ON INTERNATIONAL POLICY
3. 52014-15 IN NUMBERS
108IU staff visits to 60 universities in
2015 to help us understand
institutional priorities.
56overseas universities participated in 13
inbound delegations, meeting with 50
UK universities, a total of 194 UK and
overseas participants.
48representatives from 27 UK universities
accompanied us on 14 outbound
delegations to 9 different countries.
32%increase in Community of
Practice membership, now
involving 131 institutions
Since 2012 our
postgraduate
support service
has...
received almost
3000enquiries
supported more than
600prospective government scholars
supported
76Newton PhD scholars in 2014-15.
172
people representing 99 universities and sector organisations took
part in our 2014-15 series of HEGlobal seminars and events on
transnational education.
4. 7
...INTELLIGENCE
AND ACCESS
...TO FACILITATE LONG-
TERM COLLABORATIONS
AND POSTGRADUATE
RECRUITMENT
...TO INFLUENCE POLICY
INTERNATIONALLY
...TO PROMOTE
UK HE
INTERNATIONALLY
...TO PLAY A STRONG
ROLE IN EUROPE
...TO CONSULT WITH
THE SECTOR ON MAJOR
DEVELOPMENTS
...TO COMMUNICATE
AND DISSEMINATE
OPPORTUNITIES
WEDELIVERED...WEPROMISED...
…the first analysis of the impact
of outward mobility on graduate
employment by linking HESA
and DLHE data for the first time.
…33 networking events
including conferences, seminars,
round tables, Communities
of Practice, Newton Fund
Network, HEGlobal, and
Outward Mobility events.
…seminars presented and led
by IU staff, at 47 different HE
sector events internationally.
…a strategy to support stronger
ties between the UK and India
in HE, building key relationships
with influencers, promoting
the UK sector in India and
advancing negotiations about
qualifications recognition.
…an annual programme
of inbound and outbound
delegations (13 inbound and
14 outbound in 2014-15).
…an expansion of the IU’s
postgraduate support service
to support Newton as well
as Ciência Sem Fronteiras
(CsF UK) scholars.
…a Newton partner matching
service which supported
over 60 Newton Fund partner
country researchers to
identify UK collaborators.
…through seeking guidance
from the sector on issues ranging
from the Newton Fund, the future
of CsF, academic mobility to
India, and the simplification of
Horizon 2020, to the risks and
benefits of engaging with Iran.
…by averting £500m planned
cuts to the Horizon 2020 budget.
…by launching the Universities
for Europe campaign, in
collaboration with Universities
UK. 149 articles have been
written about the campaign so
far in over 70 media outlets.
…through influencing funding
decisions to increase support
for collaboration with India and
China; representing the UK sector
in major diplomatic fora in India,
China, Mexico, Malaysia; and
lobbying successfully to extend
eligibility in Indonesia and Peru.
…by opening up new
opportunities in teacher training
around the world by connecting
overseas governments who need
teacher training assistance with
universities in the UK who can
deliver it, including in Panama,
Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador.
“The IU continues to make a major impact on the projection of the sector
worldwide and is committed to concrete deliverables in all its work.”
Professor Colin Grant, Pro Vice-Chancellor International, University of Bath
“The IU’s work on policy
both inside the UK (the EU
campaign) and internationally
(e.g. negotiating a sustainable
deal for UK HEIs within the SwB
framework) is also incredibly
helpful and important to us.”
Dr Valentina Seravalle,
Senior Partnerships
Manager, Royal Holloway
University of London
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5. 9WHAT UK HIGHER EDUCATION SAYS ABOUT US…
We value the work of the
IU, especially at a time
when funding is shrinking
and the number of global
opportunities are growing.
As a small, specialist HE
institution with a large
Erasmus mobility, we need
the support and intelligence
that the IU gives us.”
Professor
Michael
Earley,
Principal
Rose Bruford
College
“As a specialist institution,
we greatly value the help,
support, global networks and
opportunities that the IU can
bring to our organisation.”
Professor Peter Mills,
Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
Harper Adams University
“It is the scope of the IU remit, and
the connecting of the wide range of
activities across internationalisation
that is most valuable. This clarity
helps us, as a University, to
provide strategic focus to our
activities […] Thank you
for providing an essential
and very informative
service that continues
to have a significant
impact and influence on
our Internationalisation
activities.”
Jason Norris, Head of
International Operations,
University of Dundee
“In the ever more competitive world
of international Higher Education, the
International Unit within UUK is an invaluable
resource which adds an important sector-
wide dimension to our own institutional
international expertise…Working with
the IU provides important continuing
professional development; raises awareness
of policy developments and changes. It
also opens doors to new and developing
markets and fosters research initiatives.”
Dr Anthony Manning, Director of the
Centre for English and World Languages
(CEWL), Kent International Pathways
and Kent Extra, University of Kent
KEEPING THE SECTOR INFORMED
“We particularly value the IU’s
research and insights into
key international education
trends and developments (e.g.
outward mobility, international bulletins), which
we often use and refer to in our work.”
Dr Valentina Seravalle, Senior Partnerships
Manager, Royal Holloway University of London
The IU has 10,179
subscriptions to its
newsletters and
received 528, 124
views across all its
websites in 2014-15.
CsF UK Facebook activity
There are
1,234
students in the Cohort
6 Facebook group
(September 2015)
There is a total of
6,841
students across all
Facebook groups for
the various cohorts
12,352
‘likes’ on the CsF UK
Facebook page
IU Stakeholder Survey 2015:
94%
AGREED:‘The IU
communicates effectively
with my institution’ (up
from 83% in 2014)
95%
AGREED:‘The IU supports
my institution by informing
us of new opportunities’
(up from 83% in 2014)
90%
AGREED:‘I use or consult
the IU’s information
and advice’
85%
AGREED: International Focus newsletter
is ‘valuable’ or ‘very valuable’
87%
AGREED:The IU website is
‘valuable’ or ‘very valuable’
(up from 72% in 2013-14)
95%
AGREED:‘The IU supports my institution
by informing us of new opportunities’
(up from 86% in 2013/14)
90%
AGREED:‘I use and/or consult the
IU’s information and advice to
inform my work’
“We participate in as many activities
as we can and we have always
been very satisfied with the events
and digital publications that the
IU put together.Without their help we wouldn’t
be in the position we are today.Thanks!”
Alejandra Vicencio, International Partnerships
Manager, University of Northumbria
86%
AGREED:‘The IU represents
the interests of my
institution effectively’
6. 11COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE
In 2014-15 CoP membership increased to 596 members from 131
institutions (a 32% rise in overall membership and a 19% increase
in the number of institutions represented compared to 2013-14).
Region/Topic No. of members
No. of individual
institutions represented
Newton Fund Network 93 52
Outward Mobility CoP 118 71
Asia CoP 73 73
Europe CoP 93 53
Latin America CoP 166 67
MENA CoP 75 21
The International Unit has Communities of Practice for Outward Student Mobility, Europe,
Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Additionally,
for 2015 the IU inaugurated the Newton Fund Network to bring together professionals
responsible for maximising their university’s involvement in the fund.
These communities of experts meet two to four times a year to discuss major issues
in these areas, share best practice, and hear from experts on relevant topics such as
funding opportunities in their region. This is an opportunity for senior managers and expert
practitioners in the higher education sector to work closely with the International Unit, so
that we can involve the sector directly in our policy discussions and decisions. They are an
invaluable channel for the International Unit to gather advice on developments relating to a
particular region or topic.
86% AGREED
Communities of Practice are ‘valuable’ or ‘very
valuable’ (43% rated these as ‘very valuable’).
Stakeholder Survey 2015
89% AGREED
Advice and analysis from IU staff is ‘valuable’
or ‘very valuable’ (up from 75% in 2014)
Stakeholder Survey 2015
“I have experience of the
Communities of Practice and
think these are excellent - not
just in the information they
impart but in the opportunity
to network with other key
individuals across the sector.”
Professor Michèle Clarke,
Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor
(International) Asia-Pacific and
Professor of Environmental Change,
University of Nottingham
“The Communities of Practice,
and associated expert advice
from the excellent Policy Officers,
have provided valuable support for
my institution in developing and taking
forward our international objectives.”
Juliette Sargeant, Head of International
Relations Unit, Academic Development,
University of the Arts, London
7. 13HELPING UK UNIVERSITIES TO DEVELOP
THEIR INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
About the IU’s role in the Newton Fund
The IU has informed the development of the Fund and fed back the sector’s
experience and priorities to government and delivery partners through its role
in the Fund’s governance and advisory structures.
The IU has been actively involved in supporting the sector in their
engagement in the Newton Fund through a programme of events, bespoke
communications, and the establishment of a Newton Fund Network.
The Unit is also working in partnership with the British Council to deliver
a bespoke Postgraduate Support Service (PGSS) for the Newton PhD
programmes as well as a partner matching service for Researcher and
Institutional Links.
IU Newton support
No. PhD students supported 76
No. researchers supported
(Researcher Links and Institutional Links calls)
60
No. email enquiries 547
“The IU plays a crucial role in
making sense of the Newton
Fund, both for UK universities
and for our potential partners.
This was particularly the case
during the early days of the
fund, when timely information
was sometimes elusive. Without
the IU, it would have been
very difficult to encourage our
academics to engage with
what is a very complicated
suite of opportunities and
it would have been nearly
impossible to support them
in their applications.”
Dr Elisa Lawson, Assistant
International Research Funding
Manager, Newcastle University
“The Newton Fund event
was a good example of
the IU bringing the agencies
together and conveying to the
(hard to please!) UK institutions how
complex and difficult the task is.”
Dr William Mitchell, Director
of International Development,
University of Bradford
The Newton Fund
8. Transnational education (TNE) - where
UK awards are delivered overseas –
is growing fast.
The IU and British Council’s joint HEGlobal Programme
supports UK universities in their TNE activity, creating a hub
for debate and sharing best practice around current issues in
transnational education.
In 2014-15, HEGlobal ran a successful programme of information
and networking seminars and events, as well as commissioning
research and sharing information. HEGlobal also works with
governments and sector organisations to support TNE, providing
a collective voice for UK universities on TNE-related policy and
creating a hub for dialogue around TNE, supporting UK universities
to maximise their TNE performance.
The programme has been expanded in 2014-15 and, due to
the high level of current interest in TNE, has achieved additional
support from UPP for 2015-16.
Key Achievement 1
GROWING THE HEGLOBAL VIRTUAL COMMUNITY
One of HEGlobal’s aims is to get new ideas and views from all levels
of the TNE community to practitioners, in order to create a regular
flow of new information via blogs from experts, as well as Twitter and
Linkedin discussion groups from a growing range of voices from UK
universities, TNE researchers, practitioners and policy-makers. Interest
in joining our community keeps building: we have over 800 Twitter
followers, more than 800 LinkedIn connections, and an increasingly
active LinkedIn discussion group with almost 150 UK HE members.
Key Achievement 2
DELIVERING GAME CHANGING WORKSHOPS
AND SEMINARS
Between October 2014 and June 2015 we held seminars
on due diligence, financial management, costing and tax,
improving and understanding TNE data, and the role of
technology in TNE. 172 people took part, representing
99 universities and HE sector organisations.
Key Achievement 3
ESTABLISHING OURSELVES AS A TRUSTED PARTNER
FOR CRITICAL TNE DEVELOPMENTS
The IU represented the sector, providing a voice for universities
in discussion about the quality assurance of TNE. HEGlobal’s
collective voice helped in shaping BIS-funded research on
the value of TNE to ensure that it was as useful as possible
to university leaders, academics and policy makers.
15
“The debate was intriguing and
covered a huge range of issues.”
Paul Angrave, Executive Officer to the Pro Vice-
Chancellor International, De Montfort University, and
delegate at TNE: An Illustrated View (October 2014)
Key Achievement 1
AN IU INFORMATION AND
NETWORKING CONFERENCE ON THE
NEWTON FUND, ATTENDED BY 160
PEOPLE FROM 70 UK UNIVERSITIES
This event was followed by a series
of regional Newton Fund events (in
partnership with Universities Scotland,
Universities Wales and Queens
University Belfast) and university visits,
reaching another 35 institutions.
As a consequence of the popularity of
these events, the IU has set up the Newton
Fund Network, a community for members
to learn about Newton Fund opportunities
and share experiences and best practice.
The Network currently has 93 members
from 52 institutions. The first meeting
took place on the 23 September 2015.
Key Achievement 2
COMMUNICATING AND
DISSEMINATING NEWTON
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The IU also produces the Newton Funding
Bulletin which list all current calls and which
reaches over 2,400 subscribers, an increase
of 143% on last year, demonstrating the
impact of our role communicating and
disseminating funding opportunities.
The IU has received and responded to
over 500 Newton Fund email queries
from researchers and prospective
postgraduate research students in
the Philippines, Egypt, Colombia,
Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil and the UK.
Key Achievement 3
NEWTON PARTNER
MATCHING SERVICE
Over 60 Newton Fund country researchers
have been supported by the IU to help
identify UK partners for Researcher
links and Institutional links calls.
THE NEWTON FUND HEGLOBAL
‘@he_global workshop on the value
of TNE, probably the most informative
event I’ve attended on TNE…’
@eewilkinson, January 2015
“The work of the IU as a
national contact point for
the BIS Newton programme
is incredibly useful.”
Louise Heery, International
Networks and Collaborations
Manager, University of Leeds
9. 17
Key Achievement 1
GONE INTERNATIONAL: MOBILE
STUDENTS AND THEIR OUTCOMES -
THE IMPACT OF OUR RESEARCH
The Gone International report was launched
in March, and the findings have been
presented 12 times to more than 500
professionals in the HE sector. The findings
now feature on 23 websites, and have
received considerable attention in the media
and on social media, demonstrating the
reach and impact of our research.
Many institutions are now using the Gone
International report in their promotional
material and study abroad information
sessions, as well as a tool for internal
lobbying within institutions.
Key Achievement 2
ENABLING PRACTITIONERS TO
LEARN NEW APPROACHES,
SHARE OPPORTUNITIES AND
OVERCOME CHALLENGES
The IU’s Go International Programme
has hosted a range of capacity building
events to provide practitioners and senior
management in UK HE with a platform
for professional development and sharing
best practice. With workshops on
student finance, quality assurance and
widening participation in student mobility
programmes, and a one day international
conference for 115 professionals in the
sector, the programme has enabled
practitioners to learn new approaches,
share opportunities and reflect on and
overcome challenges collectively.
Key Achievement 3
A NEW, COMPREHENSIVE, NATIONAL
BENCHMARK FOR OUTWARD
MOBILITY DATA
The IU worked with HESA to improve
the way it collects outward mobility data
and, this year, used the improved data to
produce a new, comprehensive, national
benchmark for outward mobility data to
identify shorter term mobility, location
and purpose. This analysis has provided
a baseline for outward mobility of UK
students, and clearly identifies which
students go abroad, length of mobilities,
types of placement and destination. This
analysis enables the International Unit and
the sector to develop a clear understanding
of the state of mobility in the UK and informs
discussions about setting realistic and
achievable targets for increasing outward
student mobility at an institutional level.
Excluding those who said they did not know or
did not participate in the programme,
95%of survey respondents said that the
Outward Mobility programme was ‘valuable’
or ‘very valuable’
IU Stakeholder survey 2015
OUTWARD STUDENT MOBILITY
The Go International team have presented on the
programme and their research 24 times in 2014-15.
The Go International programme was established by the IU to work with
universities and colleges, government, and sector organisations to help tackle
the barriers to UK student mobility. The programme was created in response
to pressure on universities to produce graduates ready for the world beyond
their degree in an increasingly globalised job market. Its aim is to help increase
the proportion of UK students who have an international experience, and the
IU supports UK universities to get more students to study or work abroad
to enhance their employability, cultural diplomacy and language skills.
“I found the sessions to be
really useful and focused. I
feel that I have come away with
specific ideas and information that
I can apply at my institution. The
conference has made me feel positive
about where the sector is heading.”
Laura Bulmer, International Relations
Administrator, Imperial College London
10. Key Achievement 1
DEFENDING INVESTMENT
IN RESEARCH
Through its lobbying strategy the IU
successfully averted €500m worth of the
cuts to the European Research Council
and Maarie-Sklodowska Curie Actions
proposed to finance the European Fund
for Strategic Investments.
Key Achievement 2
BETTER CONNECTED
The IU has strengthened UK sector
relations, creating new agreements
and high profile delegations to further
collaboration with Mexican, Chilean,
Indian, German, Chinese, Vietnamese,
Brazilian, Indonesian, Turkish and Egyptian
rectors associations or similar bodies.
Key Achievement 3
GULF EVENTS AND NETWORKING
The IU and its partners brought over
200 UK university representatives
together with Qatari, Emirati and Kuwaiti
researchers and funders at high profile
networking events and worked as the
UK partner in creating the Qatar - UK
Research Networking Programme.
Key Achievement 4
UNIVERSITIES FOR EUROPE
With Universities UK, the International
Unit launched the Universities for Europe
campaign in June. In April 2015, the
IU successfully organised the largest
delegation of UK Vice-Chancellors to
Brussels ever to argue for sustainable
investment in research and to raise the
profile of UK higher education in Brussels.
1
6
2
7 8
3 4 5
Key Achievement 5
A STRATEGY TO IMPROVE THE UK
HE SECTOR PERFORMANCE IN INDIA
The IU has been building strong
relationships with decision-makers in the
Indian government through our participation
(on behalf of the UK sector) in the India
Bilateral Forum; successfully arguing for a
continuation of the UKIERI programme; and
hosting inward and leading outward missions
to create networking opportunities. The IU
has also been working hard to advance the
negotiations about the recognition of the
UK one year masters in India by building
consensus on potential solutions; and by
providing evidence to dispel concerns
about Indian Standard XII recognition.
Key Achievement 6
CHINA INNOVATION
FUNDING SECURED
Securing £180K new funding
from UK government to support
innovation partnerships
with China.
Key Achievement 7
INFLUENCED UK GOVERNMENT
POLICY ON THE ROLE OF HIGHER
EDUCATION IN INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
The IU was influential in securing and
shaping a major new funding stream
from the Department for International
Development, which will support UK
universities in partnership with Southern
partners to create system level change in
higher education in developing countries.
Key Achievement 8
SECURING NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The IU reached an agreement with
PRONABEC to increase the number of
Peruvian scholars in the UK, and expanded
the number of UK universities eligible for the
scholarship, working closely with UKTI and
FCO to enable HEIs to access new teacher
training and English language opportunities
in Panama, Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador.
19INCREASING INFLUENCE ON
INTERNATIONAL POLICY
“Policy officers who are assigned
to specific regions are invaluable
and always very willing to engage,
advise and follow up on matters of
policy contexts and opportunities
within their regions. This is a unique
service unparalleled elsewhere.”
Professor Anne Moran,
Pro Vice-Chancellor,
Global Engagement,
St Mary’s University, Twickenham
“IU lobbying is vital,
especially at this time,
given rapid visa changes
which are affecting our
student recruitment.”
Professor Pal Ahluwalia,
Pro Vice-Chancellor
Research and Innovation,
University of Portsmouth
88%AGREED ‘The IU influences
positively UK policy on HE
and international issues’
88%AGREED ‘The IU influences
positively UK policy on HE
and international issues’
11. Key Achievement 1
THROUGH ITS LOBBYING EFFORTS,
THE IU SUCCESSFULLY AVERTED
€500M WORTH OF CUTS TO
HORIZON 2020
The deal ring-fences three important
Horizon 2020 budget lines, including the
European Research Council (ERC) and
the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and
represents a victory for the science and
research community, which has been vocal
in reminding the European Commission
of the fundamental value of European
research funding for long-term growth and
competitiveness.
Key Achievement 2
ENSURING A STRONG UK VOICE IN
THE BOLOGNA PROCESS
The IU accompanied the UK delegation, led
by Jeremy Clayton, Director of International
Knowledge and Innovation at BIS to
Yerevan, Armenia in May 2015, for the 2015
Bologna Ministerial Summit. The conference
endorsed priorities for the European Higher
Education Area from 2015-2018, shaped
collaboratively by European Governments
and stakeholders including the
International Unit.
Key Achievement 3
THE LARGEST EVER DELEGATION
OF UK VICE-CHANCELLORS TO
BRUSSELS
In April 2015, at a pivotal point in negotiations
on the European Fund for Strategic
Investments, the IU led the largest ever
delegation of UK vice-chancellors to Brussels
to meet with MEPs and senior officials, and
to host a reception at the UK Ambassador’s
residence which included speeches from
Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-
Chancellor of the University of Cambridge
and Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor
of the University of Cardiff.
The event was attended by 135 UK
university leaders, high-level EU officials and
Members of the European Parliament, and
generated international news coverage.
Key Achievement 4
INCREASING UK UNIVERSITIES’
BENEFIT FROM THE ERASMUS+
PROGRAMME
The IU lobbied the Commission to open
a second call for underused Erasmus+
funds for partnerships outside Europe,
and successfully intervened to prevent a
budgetary shortfall, which could have meant
cuts of over £100,000 for some institutions.
21EUROPEAN POLICY
The IU has continued to ensure that
UK universities have a strong voice in
Brussels, making the case for protecting
and prioritising investment in EU research
funding, building alliances with EU policy-
makers and other National Rectors’
Conferences; and providing a university
voice on important issues from data
protection to copyright reform.
The IU has also, in partnership with
Universities UK, jointly launched the
Universities for Europe campaign which
aims to raise awareness of the support
EU membership provides to universities
in making a positive contribution to the
economy, society and individuals in the
context of the planned UK referendum.
“UKRO has worked closely with the IU on European matters and has found this
collaboration very useful over the past year. The IU and UKRO have remained in
regular contact to ensure that our work is complimentary and mutually beneficial at
all times and is looking forward to continuing our work together. The IU has organised
a very successful Brussels event and has produced excellent briefing materials and
responses to consultations on EU research and innovation policy and funding.”
Inga Benner, Deputy Director, UKRO
Key Achievement 5
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITIES UK,
THE INTERNATIONAL UNIT LAUNCHED THE
UNIVERSITIES FOR EUROPE CAMPAIGN IN
JUNE 2015
The Universities for Europe launch event took place
in July 2015 at UCL, at an event hosted by Professor
Michael Arthur, with contributions from Dame Julia
Goodfellow, Chuka Umunna MP and the Rt Hon
Damian Green, securing 149 pieces of media
coverage, including a front page feature article in
The Independent.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits
of EU membership for universities and their contribution
to the economy, society and individuals, among the
university community and the general public. The
early impact of the campaign is evident from UKIP’s
appointment of a science spokesperson and an event
on EU research in Cambridge in September 2015,
which was trending on Twitter in London.
Key Achievement 6
BUILDING INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCES FOR
SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING
The IU has invested a significant amount of time
in building alliances across Europe and with EU
institutions, in order to be a strong voice in Brussels
on areas from research funding to copyright. The IU
has established a schedule of regular information-
sharing sessions between National Rectors’
Conferences and the EUA.
In addition, board-to-board
meetings between the UUK and
Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK)
took place in February 2015,
and resulted in a joint letter
to the Financial Times from
the UUK and HRK presidents
underlining the importance of
sustainable investment in European
research, as well as a joint meeting with
Commission Vice-President for Growth,
Jobs and Competitiveness, Jyrki Katainen.
12. 23AMERICAS POLICY
Key Achievement 1
2015 YEAR OF MEXICO AND
THE UK FOR EDUCATION
Working with Universities UK equivalents
in Chile and Mexico, we delivered the
largest delegations of Chilean and Mexican
university leaders to the UK
in living memory.
In May 2015, working with the Council of
Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH),
we hosted 19 Chilean rectors and senior
international staff, generating dozens of new
interactions in teaching and research and
prompting the signing of a number of new
partnership agreements with UK universities.
Following the signing of a partnership
agreement with Mexico’s National
Association of Universities (ANUIES) in
March 2015, witnessed by the President
of Mexico, we worked with ANUIES
to bring 32 representatives of ANUIES
member institutions to the UK in June, to
coincide with the British Council’s 2015
Going Global conference in London.
Key Achievement 2
TEACHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
AT UK UNIVERSITIES FOR PANAMA,
URUGUAY, PERU AND ECUADOR
The IU has worked to identify and develop
opportunities for UK universities to support
the provision of international teacher
training, responding to the requirements
of overseas Ministries of Education. This
has focused on intensive courses of
UK-based study for in-service teachers,
to boost skills in English language
teaching, leadership and pedagogy.
There is also interest in longer, accredited
courses both for in-service and trainee
teaching staff, encompassing iPGCEs,
taught Masters degrees,
and other forms of study focusing on
teaching skills within particular
subject disciplines.
We have worked closely with UKTI
Education, British Embassies, and
UCET (the Universities Council for the
Education of Teachers) to promote calls for
expressions of interest to the UK sector.
Key Achievement 3
PRONABEC SCHOLARSHIP IN THE UK
The IU has been working with PRONABEC,
Peru’s national scholarship agency, to
design an agreement under which the
International Unit will support Peruvian
students from disadvantaged backgrounds
seeking to study postgraduate degrees
at UK higher education institutions.
The agreement was signed by Peru’s
Minister of Education, Jaime Saavedra
Chanduví, in November 2014.
The IU has helped to expand the list of UK
universities eligible for the scheme. The first
students are expected to come to the UK
in September 2016, and we are working
closely with the FCO in Peru to promote
the opportunity to Peruvian students.
The IU has built excellent relationships
across the Americas with regional
rectors’ councils and national
associations of universities, recognising
that their local knowledge, expertise and
specialist networks add substantially
to the IU’s capacity to support UK
institutions working in Latin America.
We have focused particular attention on
encouraging new relationships between
the UK sector and the Mexican and
Chilean university systems, building
on a 2014 mission of UK universities
to Chile, and taking advantage of the
opportunities associated with the 2015
Dual Year of the UK and Mexico.
There has been a surge of interest
from the region’s governments in
accessing UK universities’ expertise
in teacher training, in support of major
reforms to public school systems.
“Following from the CRUCH meeting at
King’s in London, I can confirm that Newman
University has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with three Catholic members:
Universidad Católica de la Santísima
Concepcion; Universidad Católica del
Maule; and Universidad Católica de Temuco.
Following from the MoU, the three rectors
and myself are determined to identify
and work on specific projects related to
research, PhD students and programme
design. I want to thank you for having
facilitated this exciting development.”
Professor Peter Rolf Lutzeier,
Vice-Chancellor and Principal,
Newman University
“I find the LATCOP meetings particularly useful as an opportunity to
meet with colleagues also focused on the Americas. These meetings
provide a great opportunity to stay up to date on developments in terms
of funding and new opportunities to engage through delegations.”
Oliver Trumble, Senior Strategy Officer (Americas), King’s College London
13. 25MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA POLICY
Key Achievement 1
UK RESEARCH NETWORKING
WITH GULF PARTNERS
The International Unit, together with
domestic and regional partners, brought
over 200 representatives from UK
universities to meet with Qatari, Emirati
and Kuwaiti stakeholders at the ‘Qatar
Foundation – United Kingdom: the Road
Ahead’ Forum and the ‘Gulf Forum’ with the
United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. These
events facilitated high-profile networking
between HEIs, research centres, private
providers, funding bodies, think-tanks
and industry including, for example,
all the executive directors of the Qatar
Foundation’s research institutes and centres.
The IU supported government-
to-government dialogue on future
collaborations, which led to the creation
of the Qatar-UK and UAE-UK Research
Networking Programmes: collaborative
projects which will promote sustainable
and substantive partnerships with the
UK, help early researchers further their
careers in academia, and foster innovation
and growth within scientific research.
Key Achievement 2
GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT
AGREEMENT WITH EGYPT
TO PROVIDE SCOPE FOR
GREATER COLLABORATION
With BIS and the British Council, the IU
is working with the Supreme Council of
Universities and local HEIs in Egypt to
support their aspirations for comprehensive
system reforms. We have met with inward
visits from Egyptian University leaders and
participated in scoping visits and high-level
dialogues in Egypt that have helped broker
a formal government-to-government
agreement which should provide scope
for greater collaboration between the two
HE sectors, creating new opportunities
for universities and for sector bodies,
as well as helping to secure support for
long-term partnerships and research.
Key Achievement 3
SECURING FUNDING FOR
RESEARCH IN TO INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
The IU argued for and subsequently shaped
a major new investment in the role of
universities in international development,
coupled with significant changes to UK
policy approaches, in what was a pivotal
year for long-term international development
policy with the passing of the UK’s 0.7% of
GDP Overseas Development Aid target into
law and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The IU is working with BIS on plans to
help assist UK universities in accessing
research elements of international aid
funding, leading to a commitment in Our
Plan for Growth: Science and Innovation
that the UK government, ‘will provide
further support to UK universities and
research institutions to access some of
the research elements of the $140 billion
international aid funding from multilateral
banks, UN agencies and other donors.’
In the Middle East and Africa the IU has
worked to extend its policy influence
on behalf of the sector. This included
establishing new networks in the Gulf
and working with partners to increase
the support available for research
collaboration.
We also monitor and respond to
events which could affect international
students, for example presenting sector
concerns to government through the
RISC committee when visa processes
were disrupted in Libya and Iraq. We
provided sector briefings and advice on
developments, for example, on changes
to Saudi scholarship programmes. This
year our MENA Community of Practice
provided a channel for discussions about
risks and opportunities in Iran.
“The IU supports existing market opportunities,
but is also vital in assisting with access
into new markets and territories.”
Rob Carthy, Director of International Development,
Northumbria University, and member of
the IU’s MENA Community of Practice
14. 27ASIA POLICY
Key Achievement 1
PROMOTING THE UK HE SECTOR
AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY
IN INDONESIA, MALAYSIA,
SINGAPORE AND VIETNAM
The IU led a delegation of 15 universities
to Indonesia in March with the support
of the British Council. This allowed the
IU to represent the diverse strengths
of the UK higher education sector
to key political decision-makers.
The Indonesia delegation also allowed the
IU to scope the political environment and
opportunities, current and future. Delegates
also promoted the value of the Newton
Fund to the Indonesian government and
universities. Signing of the formal Newton
agreement took place during a visit by our
Prime Minister, in which the IU participated.
We also influenced the announcement
of a Year of Education with Malaysia,
which will provide new opportunities for
collaboration for the sector in 2016.
In Vietnam we signed a statement of
intent with the Ministry of Education
and Training, to increase the flow of
Vietnamese scholars to the UK.
Key Achievement 2
A STRATEGY TO IMPROVE THE UK HE
SECTOR’S PERFORMANCE IN INDIA
The IU developed a strategy to improve
the UK HE sector’s performance in India
for 2015-16. In addition to work with
the Association of India Universities, this
includes securing positive media coverage
for study in the UK; joint working on
reciprocal academic and student mobility;
lobbying for the extension of the UKIERI
programme and influencing its design.
The IU has also been working hard to
advance the negotiations about the
recognition of the UK one year masters
in India by building consensus on
potential solutions, and by providing
evidence to dispel concerns about
Indian Standard XII recognition.
Key Achievement 3
£180K UK GOVERNMENT FUNDING
SECURED FOR JOINT UK-CHINA
UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
In consultation with the sector, the IU
influenced the UK government to secure
£180 funding for pilot projects between
between UK and Chinese universities and
industry. The projects will be delivered in
2015-2016 under the UK China Partners
in Education (UK CPIE) Framework.
The IU has also influenced the new UK
China Partners in Education Framework
to ensure higher education remains an
area of priority which is able to draw upon
collaborative government funding.
In 2014-15 the IU expanded its
connections with governments across
the Asia region in order to demonstrate
the strength of the UK sector and
articulate the benefits of international
partnership. This has included inward
visits from senior representatives of
governments and institutions from China,
India, Myanmar, Malaysia and Vietnam.
India has been an area of particular
focus, seeing increased collaboration
with our counterparts, the Association
of Indian Universities, and the
development of a coherent programme
of activity to take advantage of high-
profile government engagement to
promote the value of the UK as a study
destination and research partner.
“The IU’s work and support greatly helps
with international profile raising for our
University both externally and internally.”
Leina Shi, International Strategy
Manager, Brunel University
London and member of the IU’s
Asia Community of Practice
