Internationalization Event: Colchester Campus, Mondo, 22nd June

The Internationalization project is carried in the context of the Essex Futures programme that the Vice Chancellor launched in November 2008.

Maria Fasli

Nicolas Geeraert

Ritta Husted

Kun Yang

Team members: Maria Fasli, Nicolas Geeraert, Ritta Husted, Kun Yang

Introduction

From the outset, the University of Essex has always had a strong international character. Currently, this is well reflected in the international diversity of the staff and student population, as well as the university’s international recognition for research.

The internationalization project seeks to further build and develop the prospects and opportunities provided by this reality. We have identified three relevant objectives or aspects that could be further developed, these are:

(1)        Increasing the mobility. The university already has a strong international component. Still, it may be desirable to build upon this. This may take the form of increasing staff mobility (e.g. international staff, or staff exchange), student mobility (e.g. ‘regular’ student recruitment, but also distance learning, Erasmus, etc.), but also building international networks (e.g. the international alliance work force).

(2)        Enhancing the experience. Studying and/or working abroad is enriching, but also provides the sojourner with many a challenge. This potential objective is aimed at improving the experience for international staff and students. This could take the shape of removing potential obstacles or difficulties currently experienced, but it also encompasses creating the optimal conditions for a qualitative international campus and developing rich cross-cultural experience.

(3)        Unlocking the potential. The international character of our university also provides many opportunities to create an entertaining and/or informative environment. To some extent, this is already being done at the student level, but there is no equivalent at the staff level. Unlocking the potential, could take many forms, such as an expert international panel, a re-occurring world-wide seminar, an international staff night, etc.

Phase one

We have identified three possible objectives (increasing, enhancing, and unlocking) that can be applied either generally, or geographically. However, it is unlikely (and probably unwise) to focus on all these aspects.

Instead, as an initial phase of the project we aim to liaise with a number of key entities within the University (such as the International Office, International Academy, LTU, SU, SSO, Communications Office, Personnel, International Alliance Workforce, International Strategy Committee, etc.). With the aim to register what is available, highlight good practise, and identify which areas can be further improved.

Phase two

Having had discussions with the representatives of a number of key entities within the University, we have been able to identify the issue of international staff as the one that the project will be concentrating on. The University of Essex is international not only in terms of its students, but also in terms of its staff. Currently international staff comprise 24% of the workforce at the University and they come from 76 countries. This international dimension of Essex in terms of its staff members is, we feel, one of the things that makes Essex such a unique workplace. However, we feel that although there are a lot of services and support mechanisms available for international students, the same cannot be said for international staff. Furthermore, this diversity is not sufficiently recognised and celebrated. Therefore, we have decided to concentrate our efforts on looking into

• what support needs to be offered to international staff

• how their integration and interaction within the wider community can be better facilitated

• how the Essex community can benefit from this multi-cultural and multi-national dimension and also celebrate it.

We are looking at how staff can be supported:

• prior to their arrival (information and support that can be provided before new members of staff arrive at Essex, etc.)

• once they have arrived (supporting mechanisms for recently arrived members of staff, introductory courses, etc.)

• while working at Essex (continuing support and involvement in activities throughout their time at Essex).

Phase three

We are currently in the third phase of the project. We are liaising with the Human Resources and other key entities within the University trying to identifying ways to support international staff before they arrive as well as in their early days at Essex. We are collecting information and other resources that will be compiled and be made available online.

In addition, we are in the process of organising a number of activities whose aim is to raise awareness of this international dimension of Essex in terms of its staff as well as celebrate it. Such activities include the creation of a display with an international dimension as well as a social event.

The social event is to be held on the 22nd of June 2009 at 5:30 pm at Mondo and Level 2 in the Colchester campus. A poster is available here.

Contact us

If you would like to get involved or you have ideas please get in touch with us!

Maria Fasli: mfasli [at] essex [dot] ac [uk]

Nicolas Geeraert: geeraert [at] essex [dot] ac [uk]

Ritta Husted: rhuste [at] essex [dot] ac [uk]

Kun Yang: kunyang [at] essex [dot] ac [uk]