Thanks to its diverse student population who represent a wealth of languages, countries and cultures, the University is able to offer a distinct study experience to all students. With an increasingly mobile student population as well as employers demanding graduates who can 'get on' in the workplace and interact successfully with all colleagues irrespective of cultural and language backgrounds, the internationalisation agenda has been gathering pace within the UK in recent times and is firmly on the agenda for all HEIs in 2011.
Internationalising the curriculum involves providing students with global perspectives of their discipline and giving them a broader knowledge base for their future careers. Curricula with an international orientation in content, aimed at preparing students for performing (professionally/socially) in an international and multicultural context, and designed for domestic students and/or foreign students (Bremer and Van Der Wende, 1995).
"A global university must now be characterised by its engagement with the processes of globalisation, its international networks and its internationalised curriculum. The changing nature of the knowledge economy involves an intricate global-local relationship.
It suggests that the nature of knowledge use and innovation demands a simultaneous engagement with local factors as well as global processes." (Fazal Rizvi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor RMIT University)
All UK HEIs are making efforts to ensure that internationalised curricula are embedded into academic courses as well as the fabric and culture of their institution as a whole.
The University of Bedfordshire is no exception and a new Internationalisation strategy has been developed to ensure this vital initiative is addressed and embraced. It is our aim to lead the way in developing innovative and accessible curricula that will enhance the experience of all students.
Internationalising the curriculum at the University will also give staff an opportunity to review their courses in order to refresh and revitalise and to harness the power of their students more effectively.
In order to embrace the overarching internationalisation agenda, the Higher Education Academy (HEA) are working on a specific project to support colleagues involved with all aspects of working with international students. The Teaching International Students (TIS) Project is a joint initiative between the HEA and the United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) with funding from the Prime Minister's Initiative 2 (PMI2). It is a two year project and co-funded by the HEA.
As part of the HEA TIS Project, the University hosted a practical and interactive workshop day in March 2011 for those involved in teaching international students. In partnership with colleagues from the HEA, the University of Hertfordshire, Oxford Brookes University, the University of Northampton and Bucks New University, the day enabled colleagues to share ideas and good practice.
Chaired by TIS Project Deputy Director, Jude Carroll, the event was well attended with delegate feedback indicating how useful and positive the day had been. Diverse issues including Transnational Education, Maximising Cultural Capital and Group Work were explored by experienced practitioners with an emphasis on delegates being able to question, discuss and come away with real ideas and tips to inform and enhance their teaching.
The TIS Project has put together a wealth of valuable resources which can be accessed and used in order to improve the way in which we work with and manage international students. The resources can be consulted as part of the wider course design and review process to ensure course teams consider international students and the wider internationalisation agenda which is an important part of the University's wider strategy.
For more information, visit:
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/teachingandlearning/internationalisation/internationalstudents.
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/teachingandlearning/internationalisation.
For more information please see the Internationalisation pages in Curriculum.
For detailed advice please contact eve.rapley@beds.ac.uk.
