Global Wales Chair’s blog - January to April 2023

Europe

In March, Global Wales hosted a delegation in Bangor for 20 German universities of applied sciences. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the institutions in Wales, explore potential initiatives for future collaboration, and provide networking opportunities between institutions. We were pleased to be joined by colleagues from the Learned Society of Wales, Taith, HEFCW, Universities Wales, the Wales Innovation Network, and Bangor University. Diolch and vielen dank to our guests and speakers for making the visit insightful.

 

Staying on the topic of European engagement, Global Wales also focused on partnership development with Flanders, Belgium. Discussions continued with the Flemish Research Foundation (FWO) to establish a new partnership to fund research collaboration between Welsh and Flemish universities. Global Wales organised a webinar for VLUHR (Vlaamse universiteiten en hogescholen raad) and its members to provide information on opportunities in Wales.

Global Wales continued recruitment activities in France, Germany, and Spain, attending postgraduate and undergraduate fairs in Paris and the Basque Country. The programme also joined COBIS (Council of British International Schools) as a supporting associate to facilitate Study in Wales promotion and engagement with British international schools in Europe.

North America

In April, 19 US advisors – selected from almost 300 applications - participated in the 2023 North America advisors’ tour. The tour, which also included delegates from Europe and India, included visits to Welsh universities, as well as opportunities to participate in cultural experiences.

Global Wales also took part in the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) Conference in Washington D.C., focusing on further education opportunities overseas. During the conference, Study in Wales presented alongside Study Ireland and Study New Zealand about the opportunities in our respective countries for partnership, mobility, and progression.

 

India

Global Wales delivered two events for the Hockey World Cup, promoting studying in Wales to 40 schools from the Odisha state, which were attended by 7,000 students. A stakeholder reception attended by over 50 guests from across education, sport, and trade and investment was also organised to strengthen Wales and India connections. 

 

Vietnam

In Vietnam, we participated in a partnership development visit themed around green energy and sustainable agriculture. Senior academic and international partnership management staff from the University of South Wales and Bangor University participated in the week-long visit to the Hanoi and Can Tho areas. Multiple potential opportunities were identified and were further explored in the return visit to Wales in April.

 

Study in Wales

It has been a busy few months for Global Wales’ Study in Wales brand, which has been working hard to raise awareness of opportunities to study in Wales’ universities and colleges.

Hockey World Cup

The Welsh senior men’s hockey team’s first qualification for the FIH World Cup - hosted in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, India, in January - was a historic achievement. With hockey so popular in India, the potential coverage of this tournament provided a unique opportunity to promote Welsh universities and colleges in one of our key markets.

Study in Wales agreed a partnership to support Hockey Wales on its World Cup journey. This saw the placement of Study in Wales as a key partner in marketing and communications activities, and included the Study in Wales logo being displayed on the front of the players’ shirts throughout the tournament.

 

Global Wales’ Head of Markets and Operations, Laura Fergusson and Market Development Manager for India, Harish Lokhun, were in India during the tournament meeting key stakeholders in Bangalore, including potential partners C-Camp and Base University, and connecting with the British High Commission in India. Laura and Harish also facilitated Study in Wales events with the Wales men’s senior hockey team.

Whilst in Bhubaneshwar, to help raise awareness of Wales as a study destination, Global Wales organised a school event with Hockey Wales, the Welsh Government, and the British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata.

St David’s Day

Marking St David’s Day means March is always a busy month for producing and sharing content about Wales, and this year was no exception.

Filmed as students arrived during Freshers’ Week, Study in Wales shared a video of international students’ first experiences of learning Welsh. We also worked with international students through our first photography competition, which asked for images that embody Wales and show what makes our nation unique. The quality of submissions was excellent with the winning photograph being taken by Henna Ashraf of Cardiff Metropolitan University. The shortlisted and winning photographs can be found here.

 

We were also excited to deliver our first partnership initiative with the British Council’s Study UK team, working together to share content across both platforms to encourage international prospects to consider Wales. The Wales Week campaign asked international students to record their experiences undertaking activities and visiting places of interest in Wales, including Zip World in North Wales, Cardiff landmarks, Gladstone’s Library and a staycation exploring the South Wales valleys. Throughout the campaign, all digital traffic from paid and organic social media activity across Study UK directed users to the Study in Wales website.

Scholarships and alumni

In April, Global Wales welcomed international students on scholarship programmes at Welsh universities to a CPD event in Cardiff.

The two-day event focused on building the scholars’ networks and developing their skills as young professionals. During the visit the scholars attended a session on ‘leadership in a global context’, enjoyed a networking dinner at Y Dosbarth at Cardiff and Vale College, and experienced an aquabus ride to Cardiff Bay. The visit ended with a tour of the Senedd where they met David Rees MS, Deputy Presiding Officer of the Senedd, for a Q&A session. Global Wales would like to thank David Rees for his time and participation in the event.

 

The above highlights are a testament to the work done by the Global Wales programme, and colleagues and partners from Wales, the UK, and abroad who help make these achievements possible.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our colleagues across Wales, and global Wales’ funding partners, Taith, for their collaboration over the recent months. We look forward to continuing working with you as we head towards the new academic year.