3
3
educational institutions
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
216 Employing new methods 219 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) 220 Aarhus University – School of Business and Social Sciences 222 Aga Khan University 224 Ahlia University 226 Aston University 228 Brigham Young University 230 British Columbia Institute of Technology 232 Canterbury Christ Church University Business School 234 Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences 236 Institute of Medical Biology 238 La Cité collégiale, collège d’arts appliqués et de technologie 240 Mount Royal University 242 National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) 244 NUI Galway – School of Chemistry 245 Trinity College Dublin – School of Mathematics 246 Prague College
248 Royal Irish Academy of Music, The 252 Södertörn University 254 The University of Oklahoma 256 Université de Sherbrooke 258 University of Alberta – Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry 260 University of Applied Sciences of Special Needs Education (HfH) 262 University of Basel – Faculty of Humanities and Social Studies 266 University of Hong Kong, The 268 University of Kashmir 270 University of Lahore 272 University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna 274 University of Rajasthan 275 University of Zagreb – Faculty of Economics and Business 276 University of Saskatchewan – College of Engineering 278 University of Sussex 280 University of Waterloo – Faculty of Mathematics 282 Warwick Business School 283 World Trade Institute – University of Bern
214 / 215
employing new methods With recruiters bemoaning a lack of skills in graduates, universities are increasingly striking a balance between academic application and workplace readiness
After 15 years or more in full-time education, it seems reasonable
so on. In good primary schools, children
to expect graduates to hit the job market with minds honed and
work collaboratively and do independent
skills sharpened, ready to start a successful career. Yet, a 2011 survey
research. Something happens when they
of more than 200 graduate recruiters found that one in three left
go to secondary school and a lot of that
graduate jobs unfilled. Applicants, they told the Association of
is lost.’
Graduate Recruiters (AGR) in the survey, lacked the fundamental
As an example, Siôn points to the
skills businesses require.
Government’s current reforms of GCSEs and
This is a challenge that educators are working hard to overcome.
A levels, both of which are moving towards
Focusing on schools, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
linear systems of learning where students
– which represents around 250,000 British public- and private-
focus on subject knowledge for final exams.
sector organisations – consulted with businesses, teachers, school
In contrast, a lot of universities – including
leaders and academics to scrutinise teaching and exams. ‘As well
many Russell Group institutions – organise
as academic rigour, we need schools to produce rounded and
their curriculum in a modular way. ‘There is
grounded young people who have the skills and behaviours that
a bit of a disconnect there,’ Siôn observes.
businesses want,’ Director-General John Cridland said of their
‘A lot of the pressure to produce
findings in November 2012. ‘In some cases, secondary schools have
work-ready graduates is placed at the
become an exam factory. Qualifications are important, but we also
universities’ door, but it needs to be fixed at
need people who have self-discipline and serve customers well.’
school level, too,’ agrees Stephen Isherwood,
Lack of soft skills
the AGR’s Chief Executive. Meanwhile, in higher education, things are already moving
Universities need to pick up the pace, too, nurturing graduates
in the right direction. ‘Study and working
that are both academically qualified and work-ready. But how can
environments at universities have changed,’
schools and universities deliver this balance? Having worked in
he says. ‘There are very few jobs nowadays
school leadership for 15 years, Siôn Humphreys is now a policy
where you sit on your own at a computer –
adviser for the National Association for Head Teachers (NAHT),
people work in groups and across levels.
and he says: ‘Some of the skills that are lacking are the so-called
Collaborative teaching and learning styles
“soft skills” – communication, problem-solving, collaboration and
help prepare young people for that.’
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
216 / 217
‘A lot of the pressure to produce work-ready graduates is placed at the universities’ door, but it needs to be fixed at school level, too’
Deep engagement Careers support can also help – but, as Siôn notes, school-based careers services have been cut back in recent years. Universities, meanwhile, have upped their game. ‘Many are doing a lot in the area of employability,’ Stephen says. ‘There are really outstanding collaborations and very deep engagement between universities and employers. Some are building degrees together, with employers setting some of the curriculum, getting involved in teaching and having professional bodies doing some of the accreditation. Students are gaining real skills as well as rigorous academics, which will help them do jobs.’ Industrial projects are also beneficial. ‘It’s important for students to understand how to bridge their academic studies with the world of work,’ says Stephen. To that end, universities increasingly ask employers to set ‘live’ projects, as well as giving students opportunities to gain relevant work experience. An example of this is the University of Exeter’s eXfactor programme, which develops enterprise and professional skills throughout the undergraduate curriculum and, as a result, won the AGR’s Graduate Development Award and its Blue Ribbon Award in 2012. Through these types of initiatives, and by working closely with industry, educators can make great steps towards producing a work-ready young workforce.
The COMSATS Institute of Information Technology is Pakistan’s top-ranked higher education institution for computer sciences and IT
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
heading in the right direction
www.comsats.edu.pk
‘Knowledge of new technologies has been the name of the game in the developed world for years,’ says Dr Arshad Malik, Head of International Office at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) in Pakistan. ‘But developing countries have only started to look at the benefits more recently. They’ve encouraged people to invest in the delivery and creation of knowledge, which has also served as CIIT’s principal goal since it was set up in 1998.’
Bridging the digital divide By sharing and implementing new ideas, CIIT has had a positive impact on society over years. Its parent body, COMSATS (Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South), was founded in 1994 to ‘bridge the digital divide between the North and the South’, Dr Malik explains. And since its inception, it has done just that. In 1996, COMSATS launched the first internet service in Pakistan. Two years later, CIIT was conceived with a mandate to improve computer literacy in the country, and by 2000, it had been granted full degree-awarding institute status. ‘From that point on we’ve not looked back,’ says Dr Malik. CIIT now has more than 22,500 students, including around 2,600
Since CIIT opened its doors around the turn of the century,
postgraduates, and has grown from fewer than 15 teachers to more
the number of higher education institutions in Pakistan has almost tripled. It’s a success story that comes with its own challenges.
Islamabad, Lahore, Abbottabad, Wah, Attock, Sahiwal and Vehari
‘The demand for qualified faculty members has never been greater,’
and a virtual campus, the institution delivers 72 degrees equally
explains Dr Malik. ‘To meet this need, CIIT made a deliberate policy
divided between undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
decision to invest in the development of young people.’
CIIT has already produced 22,500 graduates including 64 with
As a result, around 820 of the institute’s young faculty
PhD degrees.
have been able to study overseas at such world-leading universities
CIIT specialises in IT-, engineering- and science-related subjects.
as Cambridge, Lancaster and Imperial College London. Indeed, thanks
In fact, out of Pakistan’s 134 higher education institutions and
to the success of its academic and faculty development programmes,
universities, the country’s Higher Education Commission ranked it
CIIT is not only helping Pakistan reap the rewards of technology, but
number one in the Computer Sciences and Information Technology
also sowing the seeds of knowledge for many generations of experts
category in 2012.
and educators.
218 / 219
than 2,250 faculty members. Spread across seven campuses in
‘ we are well positioned to keep investing in research and to attract international talent’
Denmark’s School of Business and Social Sciences at Aarhus University uses complementary disciplines to enhance its world-renowned business courses
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
connected thinking
www.bss.au.dk
In 2011, School of Business and Social Sciences at Aarhus University in
one of the world’s most influential social researchers and the leading
Denmark was named the Most Innovative Business School in Northern
authority on social capital, has recently become a visiting professor
Europe by the prestigious magazine European CEO. In competition
at the school. In addition, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences
against a number of renowned international business schools, School
Dale T. Mortensen has held a part-time position with the school’s
of Business and Social Sciences was awarded the accolade thanks to
Department of Economics and Business for the past five years,
its groundbreaking outlook and teaching methods.
and will continue to do so for the coming five years.
Interdisciplinary approach
An increasing number of international students are also enrolling at the school. Currently, more than 30 per cent of researchers at
‘Most of the business schools today have realised that psychology,
the school’s economics department come from overseas. ‘We have
political science and law are becoming increasingly important to
connections with many universities around the world,’ says Svend.
the study of business,’ explains Svend Hylleberg, the school’s Dean.
‘Our PhD students are required to study abroad for at least six
‘The globalised world is an increasingly interdependent place, and the
months of their three- or four-year study programme. And a lot
challenges it faces are complex. Therefore leaders must have a broad
of our master’s courses in economics and business, along with
set of competences to operate in that environment. The advantage
several of our undergraduate courses, are taught in English.’
of having separate departments of psychology, political science and
MSc programmes
to the study of business.’
One of the four main academic faculties at Aarhus University, School
For instance, research into the functions of the brain, conducted
of Business and Social Sciences ranks among the largest business
by the school’s Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, is
schools in Europe and holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditation.
now influencing studies into management and economics, as well as
It has around 14,000 full-time students, more than 250 PhD students,
political science. ‘That said, we don’t dilute the strength of the business
over 500 academic staff and delivers an array of study options,
discipline, but rather encourage students to cross over into several
including research-based MSc programmes in Economics, Business
areas during their studies,’ explains Svend. ‘Students will master at least
Administration and Political Science.
one discipline and collaborate with people in other fields. This gives
In addition to its innovative methods and academic strengths,
them an open-minded approach to the world, undertaking research-
the university’s setting is another key attraction. Aarhus is Denmark’s
based teaching that imparts an ability to innovate and solve problems’.
second-largest city, is situated by the sea in the heart of Jutland and has
One of the main strategic focuses for the school’s immediate
a largely youthful population. Aarhus is a lively place, whose vibrancy is
future is to increase its international impact. As a result of a recent 50
mirrored by the school’s own energetic ambitions. ‘Our aim is to put
per cent increase in funding, the school has been able to attract more
ourselves on the international map and deliver a competitive, research-
international faculty members than ever before. The distinguished
based education,’ says Svend. ‘We are well off and well positioned to
professor Robert D. Putnam from Harvard University, regarded as
keep investing in research and to attract international talent.’
220 / 221
law at our school is that we can take an interdisciplinary approach
Making a Difference With campuses in Pakistan, East Africa and the UK, the Aga Khan University is helping to improve the standard of medical research and education across the world www.aku.edu
From its inception, the Aga Khan University was envisaged as
countries in which they are based. ‘That’s the kind of impact that
a university with an international presence. ‘We see ourselves as
we seek from our students,’ says Firoz.
building human capacity, wherever we work in the developing world,’
The Aga Khan University works with foreign countries to
says President Firoz Rasul. ‘We try to instil a sense of responsibility
provide the technical expertise needed to develop modern academic
in our students, so that they understand what is expected of them
institutions of their own. For instance, following the fall of the
when they graduate, beyond simply being a good professional.’
Taliban, the Afghan Government approached the Aga Khan University
Part of the Aga Khan Development Network, the Aga Khan
to help rebuild its failing healthcare system. With the assistance of a
University is a co-educational research university with campuses in
USAID grant, the university was able to establish a national nursing
Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK. It offers courses in
school in Kabul in Afghanistan, develop a modern curriculum for it
medicine, nursing and education at its campuses in Pakistan and East
and recruit local educators to put this into action.
Africa, and a master’s in Muslim Cultures at its London-based Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. More than 70 per cent of its 2,300
Promoting understanding
students are women, and the university employs around 11,000 staff.
Located in London, the university’s Institute for the Study of Muslim
The university’s ‘needs-blind’ admissions policy means that
Civilizations was established to promote the study of historical and
students are accepted into academic programmes without having had
contemporary issues that affect the Muslim world, investigating
their ability to meet university fees assessed. ‘If students are admitted
the traditions, civilisations and languages of the Islamic peoples.
and are unable to afford all the fees, then we provide assistance up to
‘The institute’s purpose is understanding the pluralism of the Muslim
full scholarships,’ says Firoz. ‘More than 80 per cent of our students
world – the similarities and the differences between the people who
receive some form of financial assistance.’
follow the faith,’ says Firoz. ‘The decision to locate the institute in
Innovation with impact
the UK was made to ensure that researchers have the freedom to pursue questions that might be contentious for some religious or
Adopting a problem-based approach to learning on its medical
special-interest groups in other countries.’
courses, the Aga Khan University emphasises the real issues that
Ambitious plans are in place in both Pakistan and East Africa,
graduates are likely to face when they go into practice. During their
where the university intends to become a comprehensive educational
studies, nursing and medical students spend around 20 per cent of
institution by establishing new faculties of arts and sciences, along
their time in their region’s most deprived areas – a process that is
with new graduate professional schools. These will offer degrees
crucial to recognising the realities of the developing world.
in media and communications, leisure and tourism, architecture,
The Aga Khan University established Pakistan’s first nursing
law, management, and government and public policy. ‘Just because
school some 30 years ago. Since then, a further 18 public nursing
you’re poor and underdeveloped as a country, doesn’t mean that
schools have been established in the country, 12 of which have the
you cannot have the best quality education or the best quality
university’s graduates as their deans. Similarly, many graduates of
healthcare,’ says Firoz. ‘We demonstrate to other institutions –
the Aga Khan University’s education master’s programme have gone
including governments – that this is achievable. It doesn’t take
on to become chief education officers or education ministers in the
a whole lot of money, it just takes a different attitude.’
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ just because you’re underdeveloped as a country, doesn’t mean that you cannot have the best quality education’
222 / 223
‘ Studying abroad opens students’ eyes to opportunities that they might not have seen from just sitting at home’
At the heart of the Arabian Gulf, Ahlia University in Bahrain was the first private university to be licensed by the Government of Bahrain
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
A global reach
www.ahlia.edu.bh
Ahlia University is keenly aware that an international approach to
to study. ‘If you want to be ranked among the top universities in the
education is becoming ever more important. With this in mind, the
world, internationalisation is a very important aspect of it,’ he says,
Bahraini university has built close links with universities in the UK and
adding that while the majority of Ahlia’s students come from Bahrain,
the US, offering postgraduate students a unique opportunity to gain
30 per cent come from other countries. Academic staff are also drawn
a truly global education in the Middle East.
from more than 20 different countries.
Established in 2001, Ahlia was the first private university to be
Professor Al-Hawaj believes that studying overseas can be a
licensed by the Government of Bahrain. It is independently chartered,
highly valuable experience for postgraduates looking to continue their
funded and managed by the private sector and all its programmes
education. ‘Studying abroad opens students’ eyes to opportunities that
are recognised by Bahrain’s Higher Education Council, as well as
they might not have seen from just sitting at home,’ he says. ‘It widens
universities in the UK and US.
the scope and horizons of postgraduate students, and they learn
The university currently incorporates six colleges, including Arts,
from being among other cultures.’ As such, Ahlia strongly encourages
Science and Technology, Engineering and a College of Postgraduate
its students to participate in the international student exchange
Studies and Research, whose programmes are recognised as being
programme with universities outside Bahrain.
among the best in the Gulf region. In all, 14 bachelor, five master’s and three PhD programmes are available to students, the vast majority
Modern methods
of which are taught in English.
Students at Ahlia benefit from a more progressive approach to
International partnerships
teaching, which is more interactive and practical than the traditional teacher-centred education. Less time is spent on lectures and more on encouraging students to learn how to process and deal with
proud of the programmes that the university runs in collaboration with
information – skills that will stay with them throughout life.
its partners overseas. These include master’s in Business Administration
‘It’s lifelong learning – how to criticise, how to apply things,’
and Engineering Management, run with George Washington University
explains Professor Al-Hawaj. He is proud of the university’s high
in the US.
ranking by Bahrain’s Quality Assurance Authority for Education –
Ahlia University also has a strong relationship with Brunel
proof, he says, of how seriously it takes education. And this is just
University in the UK, and through a partnership with its Business
the beginning. Work is due to begin on a new campus in 2014,
School and Information Science School offers students the opportunity
which will expand the university’s intake from 2,000 students to
to gain a ‘PhD without residence’.
around 7,500, enabling Ahlia to extend its colleges and areas of
‘This is a Brunel PhD,’ Professor Al-Hawaj explains. ‘You graduate
study and provide improved facilities.
from Brunel but do all the work and research and attend lectures here.’
It is this commitment to investment in education that has helped
The relationship with Brunel has proved so successful that
Ahlia University establish a reputation as a flourishing, forward-thinking
the universities plan to extend the programme to other colleges.
university. And developments such as the new campus and more
And Professor Al-Hawaj is clear that the international approach Ahlia
extensive links with overseas universities are certain to further broaden
takes, and the exchange of students, staff and research with foreign
its appeal to postgraduates looking to continue their education with
universities, is what makes the university such a rewarding place
a global perspective.
224 / 225
Professor Abdulla Y. Al-Hawaj, the university’s president, is particularly
A path to employment An outstanding research record and a dedication to student employability make Aston University a top choice for ambitious undergraduates www1.aston.ac.uk
‘Everything that we’ve done since we were founded in 1895 has been
it’s the largest research group in the university’s School of Engineering
to develop graduates and postgraduates who can be of benefit to the
& Applied Science. Its key research areas include high-speed optical
community, to business and to the professions,’ says Aston University’s
transmission and processing, fibre-based optical devices and
Director of Communications, David Farrow. The Birmingham-based
components, nonlinear photonics and fibre-optic sensors. In 2009,
university’s four schools – Business & Management, Engineering &
Aston engineers created the world’s longest laser, channelled through
Applied Science, Languages & Social Sciences, and Life & Health
270 km of fibre-optic cable.
Sciences – are keenly attuned to the needs of business and the professions with a strong focus on high-quality, applicable research.
Helping businesses
‘We take great pride in the fact that, at 89 per cent, we have a
‘We’re very focused on our research being applicable and of benefit
better graduate employability record than Oxford and that’s because
to the communities that we serve, and we do a lot of work with
of the way our courses are structured,’ David says. ‘Most of our 9,500
small and medium businesses in the West Midlands to help them
students do a placement year in industry or the professions, so they
grow,’ David says. Aston Business School’s entrepreneurship and
benefit from a year in paid work with a company or a professional
enterprise programme 10,000 Small Businesses, delivered in
body, which gives them great strength in the job market.’
partnership with Goldman Sachs, provides structured and practically
Innovative investigation
focused support to leaders of small business who are seeking to grow them. Delivered over 12 sessions – approximately 100 hours
One example of Aston’s world-class research is in the area of
of learning – the programme is targeted at small and medium
bioenergy, where the university is engaged in a range of activities,
enterprises with clear ambitions to expand. It is designed to unlock
from fundamental research through to the development and
their economic and job-creation potential.
deployment of innovative technologies. ‘We do a lot of work around
‘We are also very proud of our amazing track record in social
bioenergy to help make sure that cities like Birmingham will be able
mobility,’ David says. ‘Many of our students may not have expected to
to use their own waste to power themselves in the future,’ David says.
go to university, but at Aston they transform themselves into people
While the bioenergy industry is growing fast, the achievement of
who are very employable and ready to enter the professions, enter
cost parity with non-renewable energy sources has remained elusive.
business and succeed in their careers.’
To further research into creating bioenergy from waste, and with
Underpinning Aston’s commitment to preparing students to
assistance from the European Regional Development Fund, Aston has
meet the needs of business and the professions is the university’s
created dedicated industrial research facilities and a unique industrial-
integrated placement year. David explains: ‘We see so many surveys
scale power-generation plant on campus. The £16.5 million project
from bodies that speak for employers, saying a degree is not enough,
will develop solutions for bioenergy from waste and will demonstrate
technical ability is not enough – we want emotional intelligence,
the practical nature of the technology by supplying power and heat
we want presentation skills, we want self-confidence and we want
for use on the campus.
people who show up on time. The fact that most of our graduates
Aston’s Institute of Photonic Technologies is another world-
have already spent a year doing developing these skills is a huge
class research facility, and with more than 50 active researchers,
advantage to them.’
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ Most of our students benefit from a year in paid work with a company or a professional body, which gives them great strength in the jobs market’
226 / 227
‘ Our institution is committed to producing graduates that are academically accomplished and carry strong ethics, integrity and ambition’
Rooted in academic excellence and religious values, Brigham Young University is America’s biggest private religious university
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
Faith in education
www.byu.edu
Founded in 1875, Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah educates
But BYU is not all business and law – it is also recognised for
more than 30,000 students, making it the largest private religious
its world-class arts programmes, from music to theatre and dance.
university in the USA. With students from some 110 countries, its
The university’s performing arts groups have performed in more than
energetic campus is a melting pot of international diversity under
100 countries, while some talents have earned top honours stateside.
the umbrella of a common faith. The majority of BYU students are
In 2013, BYU students won the Metropolis Opera National Council
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which
Auditions and the United States International Duo Piano Competition
sponsors the university.
– the most prestigious opera and piano duo competitions in the USA.
BYU has ten colleges that offer some 200 bachelor’s degrees,
Other BYU highlights include the Capstone programme, which
more than 60 master’s degrees and 30 doctorate programmes.
offers hundreds of engineering students hands-on experience on
It operates a robust mentoring system for students, and the university’s
industry-sponsored projects, and the animation programme, which
undergraduates regularly present at national conferences alongside
provides a steady stream of talent to many of the major US animation
their graduate- and PhD-level peers.
studios. The university’s four major innovation competitions also
Lifelong learning The university has established itself as a prominent launch pad for postgraduate study. Over the past decade, BYU has been among
cultivate a keen entrepreneurial spirit and have spawned several major companies – just one of the reasons why BYU is ranked 11 in the USA by job recruiters, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Honour Code
to earn PhDs. ‘While our major focus is on providing an excellent
The university’s Honour Code encourages moral conduct, with
undergraduate education that is both spiritually strengthening and
students and faculty members alike committed to living a chaste
intellectually enlarging, BYU also offers highly recognised graduate
and virtuous life, obeying the law, using clean language and
programmes that encourage students to pursue lifelong learning,’
respecting others. Students at BYU enjoy a lively, all-inclusive culture,
says Academic Vice President Brent W. Webb.
whether watching a performance at the university’s fine arts college
BYU’s Marriott School of Management and J. Reuben Clark Law
or cheering one of its top-tier sports teams. And with its breathtaking
School, for example, do just that. The Marriott School boasts a top-30
setting at the foot of the Wasatch Range of mountains and minutes
MBA degree, a firm emphasis on entrepreneurship and high-ranking
from Utah Lake, the university’s campus offers a wealth of outdoor
accounting programmes at both undergraduate and graduate level.
activities including hiking, skiing, sailing and waterskiing.
One of the school’s highly successful MBA programme courses is
BYU strives constantly for excellence, seeking to help students
Cougar Capital, which enables students to partner with venture
realise their full potential by enlightening the mind as well as the
capital and private equity firms, conduct due diligence on potential
soul. As Brent explains: ‘Our institution is committed to producing
investments and even co-invest in deals. In addition, The National Jurist
graduates that are academically accomplished and carry the strong
– the magazine for US law students – ranks the university’s J. Reuben
ethics, integrity and ambition that make them excellent employees
Clark Law School as the second-best-value law school in the country.
and contributing community members.’
228 / 229
the top ten universities in the USA in terms of students who go on
‘ At BCIT, students can practise a lot and are allowed to make mistakes, while in a job they wouldn’t be able to experiment in the same way’
Canada’s BCIT offers a combination of innovation, technology and internationalism that fully prepares its students for the workplace
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
working towards an education
www.bcit.ca
‘But it’s my first day!’ is a phrase that no graduate from one of
Online interactive learning allows for materials such as textbooks
British Columbia’s largest post-secondary institutes, British Columbia
to be transformed into online content. Previously, students would
Institute of Technology (BCIT), will ever utter upon starting a new
have been working in isolation with print material.
job. That’s because BCIT – which is based in Burnaby, just outside
The Power Engineering department has also developed a
Vancouver, British Columbia – offers a hands-on education that
complex computer-based boiler simulation program through which
mirrors the workplace, with facilities such as a state-of-the-art
students can remotely operate a hydraulic bench that is situated
Aerospace Technology Campus, which houses a fleet of 20 aircraft,
at one of the institute’s labs. ‘Our facilities enhance learning by
and a world-class Marine Training Simulation Centre.
enabling students to perform tasks that simulate the operation of
The institute’s Vice President of Education, Research and
a power plant, such as a boiler, steam trap or valves,’ explains Sanja
International, Paul Dangerfield, describes the BCIT approach as
Boskovic, Chief Instructor of the Power Engineering Department.
providing students with the skills to be ‘job ready on day one’. The combination of an ageing population and the need for more
Virtual learning
specialised jobs means that British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost
Virtual learning at BCIT has opened the door to international
province, will have an expected one million job openings by 2020.
collaboration that provides students with the opportunity to benefit
This makes the integration of a practical element into education
from overseas exchanges. ‘Students have to have a global perspective,
essential rather than simply desirable because, according to Paul,
and the international community is constantly learning how to deliver
simulation is the best way to learn. ‘At BCIT,’ he explains, ‘students
education more effectively,’ Paul says. ‘Brazil, Hong Kong, Ukraine,
can practise a lot and are allowed to make mistakes, while in a job
China and South Korea all have successful models, and we want
they wouldn’t be able to experiment in the same way.’
to work with like-minded institutions in those and other countries.’
Cutting-edge facilities
A recent trip by students from the BCIT Bachelor of Business Administration programme exemplifies such international partnerships. Three students travelled to Curitiba in Brazil to research the market
institute’s students for the workplace is its Marine Simulation Centre,
potential for fuel products, and their findings resulted in marketing
which has the capacity to meet the training and research needs of
efforts that are specifically tailored to Brazil. For Paul, this initiative
British Columbia and beyond. Developed in conjunction with industry
epitomises where the future of post-secondary education should lie.
partners, it simulates a ship’s main bridge and is capable of mimicking
‘About 50–60 per cent of students in Canada take arts degrees,’
the waves and wind of the natural environment. In addition, it boasts
he says. ‘But we need to flip this model and base our education
an engine-room simulator that is capable of reproducing the conditions
more on the system of, say, Switzerland, where about 20 per cent
of an on-board emergency.
of students do research degrees and 80 per cent do apprenticeships,
This innovative approach is evident throughout BCIT. In its
because their approach has resulted in low unemployment.’
Power Engineering Department, for example, instructors deliver real-
With its focus on innovation, cutting-edge technology and
time classes and tutorials online. Students interact using virtual tools
internationalism, BCIT is indeed well positioned to have a similar
such as discussion boards, real-time chat and a document camera.
impact through the education it provides.
230 / 231
One of the many cutting-edge facilities that help to prepare the
the praCtice of theory With their strong practical element, postgraduate courses at Canterbury Christ Church University Business School provide excellent leadership and management skills www.canterbury.ac.uk/business-school
It is not just Canterbury's medieval cobbled streets and its World
Certificate in Shared Services, which brings together public service
Heritage-listed cathedral that make Canterbury Christ Church University
organisations such as local governments, the NHS and the police
Business School (CCCU Business School) one of the most appealing
to share core elements of their services involving HR, finance
study destinations in the UK. With its growing reputation for research,
and procurement.
it offers a wide range of business and management courses to
However, the approach is not only characterised by such
around 1,900 students. Focusing on career development and
employability-boosting initiatives but also by the recruitment of industry
gaining an understanding of how to put management theory
professionals to CCCU's staff, such as ex-Rolls Royce International CEO
into practice in a global business environment, they provide an
Professor Tom Purves. ‘Plus, there are many guest speakers coming to
excellent foundation for a great career.
the university,‘ says former student Arron Moss. ‘That was one of the
Pioneering programmes Courses range from the pioneering MSc in International Business to management training and education programmes tailored to specific
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘we think it's vital to give students exposure to people who are out there in the business world’
many aspects of my course that I greatly enjoyed because the guest speakers gave us an insight into their experience, and their knowledge greatly helped both my work and my development.‘
Enterprising initiatives
business world of the future, the MSc in International Business takes
The Research and Enterprise Development Centre (RED) at CCCU
an innovative approach to study: there are no exams. Instead, students
organises and funds a range of events and workshops throughout
receive a personalised template ‘kit’ and are assessed on their thesis
the year. These include the Student Enterprise Week, which involves
ideas over six months through presentations in front of professors as
shadowing a business professional, and FLUX, an inter-university
well as their peers.
event that involves more than 100 universities, with over 30,000
The result, according to Programme Director Colm Fearon, is
students having taken part over the last seven years. As part of this
that those on the programme get an insight into the work of other
initiative, teams of six spend 36 hours over two days solving real
students, but they also learn how to evaluate, give and receive advice,
business dilemmas with a team of experts from some of the UK’s
get involved in their peers’ work and, very importantly, bond as a group
most dynamic businesses.
a lot earlier than on conventional courses.
These links to industry are the reason why more and more
In general, experiential and situational teaching methodologies
postgraduates choose CCCU Business School for their studies.
form a large part of CCCU’s ethos, making learning as relevant and
On top of this practical experience, innovation in teaching
realistic as possible. ‘That‘s because we think it‘s vital to give students
and learning prepares students for the workplace by fostering
exposure to people who are out there in the business world,‘ explains
independence. Staff regularly publish research studies, while
Business School Director Heather McLaughlin. ‘It’s all about trying to
students receive help to publish their own work in collaboration
recreate the business experience in the classroom.‘
with supervisors. As student and business representative Tapiwa
The business school uses what it calls ‘professional communities
Nzou sums up: ‘Everyone at the university works towards a common
of practice’. One example of that is the unique six-month Postgraduate
goal, and the staff are very supportive.‘
232 / 233
needs. Offering skills in leadership and entrepreneurship for the
industrious approach Its distinctive labour-market focus means that students at Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in Germany enjoy a clear advantage in the job market www.hs-niederrhein.de
In 1960s Germany, a public debate raged about higher education:
Over the past five decades, Germany’s universities of applied
specifically, how the country could plug the gap between traditional
sciences have changed dramatically. ‘But in the beginning we had
university education, with its focus on international research, and
a public task to provide management executives for local industry,
work experience-based professional education. The result was the
to train them for the job,’ says Professor von Grünberg. ‘In the 1990s,
birth of the Fachhochschulen – universities of applied sciences – in
this public task was reformulated to take on board the idea of applied
1971. The new centres of learning inherited the academic standards
research. By research, we do not mean writing big papers for
of the traditional universities, while incorporating a system of
international conferences, but rather solving questions posed to
education that aimed to provide its students with a job in industry.
us by local industry, such as the technical specifications of paint
The Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences takes
for the car industry, or solving public health issues relating to food.’
its name from its location in the Lower Rhine, close to Dusseldorf.
The transfer of knowledge is also a key motivator at the university.
Some 12,600 students study work-related degree programmes at the
‘Transfer is becoming more and more important. Our professors pass
university, which prepare them for a position, often managerial, in
their theoretical knowledge on to the companies in our region, so
working life. Its ten faculties focus on subjects related to economics,
that they can apply it to their problems,’ adds Professor von Grünberg.
social sciences, health care, engineering and natural sciences.
‘A good example is the RFID [Radio Frequency Identification]
Work-centred focus
technology. One of our research institutes, which works in the field of business processes, is advising numerous companies about how
‘We provide a labour market-oriented system of education,’ says
to use this technology to improve their services and processes.
Professor Dr Hans-Hennig von Grünberg, President. ‘When you
Transfer is becoming the third pillar, next to teaching and research,
analyse the structure of the German economy, 65 per cent of
for universities of applied sciences. It is the principal feature that
GDP is made up of local firms. It is these local firms, which can
distinguishes us from traditional universities.’
be anything from small technical companies to larger software firms, that we focus on at the university, and we have a very close
Favourable prospects
working relationship with around 30 to 40 such enterprises.’
Germany’s population is shrinking at present. It’s a demographic
Many of the university’s teaching staff have spent a large part
change that looks set to make universities of applied sciences such
of their career within these industries. This not only underpins the
as Hochschule Niederrhein become all the more important over
job-related content of their courses, but also means that their
the coming years.
students can gain access to these organisations through internships,
‘If the intake of students is too low measured against labour-
research partnerships and jointly supervised dissertations. ‘A large
market demand, the question of how effectively a programme leads
proportion of the graduates from our degree programmes do not
to a specific occupation gains a whole new meaning,’ says Professor
even need to send a written application to get a job,’ says Professor
von Grünberg. ‘I’m sure that in ten years’ time, 50 per cent of all
von Grünberg. ‘That’s because they are usually already coupled with
students will choose an applied science university, and I think that
their future employer during their studies.’
is a healthy mix.’
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ A large proportion of our graduates do not even need to send a written application to get a job’
234 / 235
The appliance of science Singapore’s Institute of Medical Biology is only a few years old but has already gained an enviable global reputation for research www.imb.a-star.edu.sg
In this age of instant information and finely tuned technology, the
Working side by side in a lively environment with the most advanced
words ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘pioneering’ are used all too often to
technologies, the teams’ leaders range from top scientists from around
describe scientific discovery. However, at the Institute of Medical
the world to young group leaders at the beginning of their careers.
Biology (IMB) in Singapore, they truly define the everyday work that
‘With such an international team of leaders, we have imported
goes on inside the laboratories. An ultra-modern centre of excellence,
the best elements and strategies from top institutions worldwide to
the institute offers diverse opportunities for PhD and postdoctoral
rapidly grow IMB into a successful international research institute,’
students, and enjoys an international reputation for contemporary
explains Professor Lane. ‘So graduates who come here will find an
research with global applications.
exhilarating international community that is very connected and
Practical science
an entrepreneurial spirit that drives highly innovative research.’ Although graduates don’t join IMB until they reach PhD or
Singapore’s history in biomedicine doesn’t stretch back very far, but
postdoctoral level, predoctoral students can join the institute’s many
it has nevertheless already become an important player in the field.
internship and attachment programmes to introduce themselves to its
In 2000, the country’s government launched an ambitious initiative
laboratories and subject areas. IMB’s strong partnerships with numerous
to establish a domestic biotechnology industry based on excellence in
international universities also mean that overseas students on jointly
biomedical sciences research, with a view to delivering economic and
supervised projects can spend two years of their PhD programme
health benefits to Singapore.
working in Singapore at the Biopolis campus. Consequently, IMB’s
Having opened in 2007, IMB is the youngest research institute of
community of early-career researchers is very international.
the Biomedical Research Council of Singapore, which is overseen by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). IMB is situated
Scholarships
at the Biopolis campus, along with six other A*STAR institutions and
In addition, scholarships for Singaporean undergraduates and
numerous industry-run R & D labs. Around 40 PhD and 75 postdoctoral
postgraduates to study overseas often offer incentives that enable them
scientists work within IMB’s 20 teams, studying issues around the
to return to Singapore to work at IMB and A*STAR. ‘Close dialogue with
mechanisms of human disease. The institute’s research focuses on
our overseas partners means that shaping the PhD programmes is very
skin biology, stem cells and genetic diseases – three interlinked areas
much a collaborative effort,’ says Professor Lane. ‘Career development is
selected for their robust industrial connectivity, as well as their practical
key for us, and we have established many supportive network structures.
importance for health and well-being. ‘The mission of A*STAR is to
These include PhD and postdoctoral seminars, early career monitoring
foster scientific research that benefits Singapore as a nation, so our
committees and training courses within A*STAR, as well as conferences
institute’s research portfolio is very translational and we try to make
and lectures from members of industry.’
sure that everything we do has a practical application,’ explains
With such a tight focus on applied sciences and excellent research,
Professor Birgit Lane, Executive Director.
IMB is the very essence of a ‘pioneer’ in a part of the world that has long
IMB’s research teams study issues such as tissue stem-cell biology
attracted pioneers and entrepreneurs. The institute’s vibrant international
and reprogramming, rare and common genetic disorders, wound
community, coupled with the very best learning resources, make it an
repair and tissue regeneration, skin barrier function and ageing.
ideal environment for those with a sharp mind and an adventurous spirit.
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ Graduates who come here will find an entrepreneurial spirit that drives highly innovative research’
236 / 237
working towards an education La Cité collégiale, collège d’arts appliqués et de technologie, is one of Ontario’s top colleges and takes an applied-learning approach that ensures its students are ready for the workplace www.lacitecollegiale.com
Ontario’s largest French-speaking applied arts and technology
‘The facility’s highly specialised laboratories prepare students for
college – La Cité collégiale, collège d’arts appliqués et de technologie
the real world of emergency services, by exposing them to realistic
– is the first choice for 5,000 students every year. With a graduate
simulations and experiential learning,’ explains Bourgeois. ‘This way
employment rate consistently hovering around 90 per cent, it's easy
students are what I like to call “job ready”. We are preparing them to
to see why.
hit the ground running. And this is what employers are looking for.’
Since 2006, La Cité collégiale has been ranked as one of the
Nestling in 24 hectares of green space, the main college campus
province’s top five colleges in an independent survey commissioned
is an oasis of calm and tranquillity in Ottawa’s bustling east end.
by the Ontario Government. Scoring top marks in areas related
Since its foundation in 1989, it has made a concerted effort to expand
to student satisfaction, the usefulness of its programmes and the
rapidly. To that end it now includes two satellite campuses located
quality of learning experience, the college consistently proves itself
in Hawkesbury and Orléans, and offers services and select training
as one of the highest-performing training institutions in Canada.
programmes in Toronto. The diversity of its student body is growing
Focus on training and skills
and the college is becoming increasingly active on the international stage. Drawing on the worldwide francophone community, the college
Lise Bourgeois, President of La Cité collégiale, puts its success
attracts students from all over Canada, France, Belgium, North and
down to the focus it places on the relationship between training
West Africa and the rest of the Americas. This melting pot of diverse
and employment. ‘We are not only catering for students,’ explains
cultures creates the rich campus life that exists at the college.
Lise, ‘we are catering for employers too. It is essential that we turn out the most highly trained and skilled graduates to meet the needs
Evolving with the times
of an ever-changing and evolving society.’
With an ever-shifting jobs market, La Cité collégiale recognises it must
The college offers more than 90 post-secondary courses.
also evolve and do ever more to widen its reach to ensure students are
Students can train in a range of vocations including Art, Media and
getting the best start in their professional lives. As a result, it is taking
Communications, Health, Computer Science, Hospitality and Culinary
centre stage on the digital platform by rolling out e-learning courses
Arts, Skilled Trades, and Travel and Tourism. It also boasts a bachelor’s
to benefit students globally. Courses include Autism and Behavioural
degree in biotechnology – one of the fields in which the college
Science, Webmaster and even Palliative Care, all at the touch of a
conducts various applied-research projects.
button and from anywhere in the world.
Its applied-learning approach means that students study their
‘Student success has always been our priority and it always will be,’
chosen subject in a hands-on and practical way. Depending on their
explains Lise. ‘I want the next 23 years to be as successful as the last, so
programme of study, students can train through apprenticeships,
I am committed to La Cité collégiale’s continued development as one of
on work placements or in the college’s highly equipped on-campus
Ontario’s best colleges. I want La Cité collégiale to be a harbour of hope
facilities. In 2011 for example, La Cité collégiale opened its 911
– a place where students can achieve their dreams.’ Based on the firm
Institute, a 100,000 sq ft emergency services training centre.
foundations already laid, the future looks bright for the college.
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ It’s essential that we turn out the most highly trained and skilled graduates to meet the needs of an ever-changing and evolving society’
238 / 239
strong foundation To give its students true value for money, Mount Royal University in Calgary is focusing solely on undergraduate education www.mtroyal.ca
At a time when the cost of a university education is devolving
Employment success
more and more from governments to students, an increasingly
Alongside the debate about the appropriate balance between
important question to ask of higher education institutions is:
teaching and research there’s the ongoing discussion about
‘Are students getting their money’s worth?’ Reflecting on the
whether undergraduate education adequately prepares students
current challenges, Dr Robin Fisher, Provost and Academic Vice
for the workplace. Mount Royal excels in this respect, since its
President of Mount Royal University in Calgary, says: ‘We want
emphasis on experiential and workplace-based learning has
to be a university with a difference – there needs to be greater
led to high levels of employment success upon graduation.
differentiation among the universities in Canada, and we want
Most programmes include a variety of experiential learning
Mount Royal to offer the best quality undergraduate education
opportunities, such as clinical placement, directed field studies,
in the country.’
internship and work experience. This enables students to gain
It is, he believes, an achievable objective, but one that calls
vital professional experience, ranging from one to three semesters
for a firm focus. In line with this view, Mount Royal University
over the course of a four-year degree.
has made undergraduate education its sole purpose.
Nearly all of Mount Royal’s study programmes also have
Different class
business- and community-based advisory committees that work with programme directors and offer advice both on the nature
Home to more than 13,000 students, the institution attained
of the course and to students who take it. ‘In addition, we’ve just
university status in 2009, a year before its centenary as a
developed a new alumni mentoring programme that connects
college. With the express aim of becoming Canada’s number
students with university alumni in the workplace to help them
one undergraduate university in terms of student success and
progress after graduation,’ Robin says. ‘And we’ve also created
satisfaction, Mount Royal is now positioning itself as a centre
opportunities for students to work with faculty in preparation
of learning that is distinct from the opposition.
for graduate and professional programmes.’
‘In contrast to large universities that have distant relationships
It’s an approach that has reaped great rewards: in The Globe
between faculty and students, we have very small classes and
and Mail’s Canadian University Report 2013, Mount Royal came
a very personalised approach to undergraduate teaching,’ Robin
equal top among medium institutions with regard to instructors'
explains. Emphasising face-to-face learning, the university works
teaching style, student-faculty interaction, and quality of teaching
extensively with faculty on teaching and learning techniques that
and learning.
help them to become better teachers. Overall, the balance of
‘By Canadian standards, we’re a relatively old institution,’
faculty roles and responsibilities is weighted towards teaching
Robin sums up. ‘And by building on its foundations as a college,
rather than research, and the university’s rewards structure
its full commitment to undergraduate teaching and learning, and
reflects that emphasis. ‘Rewarding faculty for being good
the belief that students’ interests should come first, Mount Royal
teachers is what has enabled us to be successful,’ Robin adds.
is evolving into a different kind of university.’
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ In contrast to large universities that have distant relationships between faculty and students, we have very small classes and a very personalised approach’
240 / 241
Pakistan’s rising star The National University of Sciences & Technology in Islamabad is a thriving institution that is tackling the challenges of society and industry head on www.nust.edu.pk
The National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) in Islamabad,
consolidate links between academia and industry. ‘We’re interested
Pakistan has achieved phenomenal growth during its first two decades.
in how much value we can add at a national level,’ says Tooba.
The university has ridden the wave of two upsurges in learning that
‘We want to be solving our national problems for ourselves, and
have taken place in the country since the turn of the millennium.
by developing links with industry, we can have a direct impact
The first of these was a higher education revolution, led by
on the economy.’
the creation of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in
As part of this work the university has identified 13 key sectors
2002, which has doubled the number of universities in the country
of the Pakistani economy that face pressing needs or challenges.
since it was set up. The other was the ICT revolution, which
NUST has formed a committee for each of those sectors, combining
has greatly enhanced access to information through the use of
top executives from that particular industry with expert academics
technology in education. As a result, NUST has expanded from
from the university. These committees meet regularly to discuss
six colleges to today’s 18 constituent institutions situated in
what challenges their industry has to tackle and how the university
purpose-built campuses. The university has also experienced
can provide solutions through research.
a 184 per cent rise in its student population. ‘No other university in Pakistan offers the breadth and diversity
Delivering success
of disciplines that we do,’ says Tooba Raza, Head of Marketing and
‘To date, the university has successfully delivered cost savings,
Communications. ‘Almost all areas of engineering, IT, management,
solved manufacturing problems and garnered industry feedback
social sciences, art, design and architecture are covered, in research
on the skill sets required of graduates, which all feed into the
terms as well as academic study.’
university curricula,’ says Tooba. In order to continue this work,
Research focus
the university is in the early stages of plans to build a science and technology park, which will host world-class labs and business
For the past six years, NUST has maintained top-500 status in the QS
incubation centres.
World University Rankings, and it was the first university from Pakistan
With its growth in successful programmes and research, the
to be ranked among the top 150 in Asia. ‘Research is a huge focus
university’s popularity has soared. In 2012, NUST received around
for us,’ says Tooba. ‘The quantity of publications we’ve produced, the
52,000 student applications for some 2,000 places. The current
number of patents we’ve filed and the technologies we’ve developed
student population stands at more than 12,000, and the university’s
give a clear indication of our standing, and research plays an integral
academic offerings include 33 undergraduate and 63 postgraduate
part in this. Over the past ten years our researchers have completed
programmes, almost all of which can be studied at PhD level.
243 projects worth more than 640 million Pakistani rupees, while
‘NUST is part of a new generation of Pakistani universities
156 sponsored projects, amounting to around 1,090 million Pakistani
dedicated to fostering a research-led and innovative culture to meet
rupees, are currently in hand.’
the challenges faced by industry and society,’ says Tooba. ‘We also
NUST has created a network, called the Research, Innovation
have active links with 81 universities and organisations in 27 countries
& Commercialization (RIC) Ecosystem, which seeks to establish and
around the world, which goes to show just how far we’ve come.’
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ No other university in Pakistan offers the breadth and diversity of disciplines that we do’
242 / 243
Good chemistry connections Outstanding educational facilities and strong industry ties make the School of Chemistry at NUI Galway a key driver of Irish success www.nuigalway.ie/chemistry
The National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway’s strong links with industry reap great rewards for both parties. And nowhere is this more the case than at its School of Chemistry, which provides businesses with a steady stream of expertise and enjoys plenty of support in return.
One of a kind Founded in 1849, the school teaches around 1,000 undergraduates and has more than 70 postgraduate research students and postdoctoral researchers. NUI Galway offers a bachelor of science that enables students to choose a broad combination of subjects before specialising in their fourth year in one discipline, such as chemistry. Alternatively, undergraduates can do a
which typically takes four years to complete.
of Marine Biodiscovery, who has a national
degree in biopharmaceutical chemistry –
The programme takes students from around
responsibility for the discovery of natural
the only programme of its kind in Ireland.
the world, who are attracted by the school’s
products in Irish marine waters,’ says the
The world of work features on both the
reputation for high-quality research and its
school’s Professor Paul Murphy. ‘By recruiting
Chemistry course and the Biopharmaceutical
state-of-the-art facilities, including excellent
someone in that role, we’ve brought that
Chemistry course, which offer a select
high field NMR, X-ray crystallography, mass
capability to Ireland.’
number of summer placements in a relevant
spectrometry and microscopy equipment.
The appointment reflects the School of
company or academic laboratory. In recent
In the last few years, the school’s output
Chemistry’s progressive approach – one that
years, students have been placed at Roche
of peer-reviewed publications has grown
has made it such a success story and so vital
Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline and Eli
significantly. In addition to more conventional
to Ireland’s chemical, pharmaceutical and
Lilly, which, along with the likes of Boston
research fields, it specialises in areas such
biomedical industries. And, as Paul points out,
Scientific, Merck and Pfizer, all make
as green chemistry and energy, biomedical
it aims to serve this function for years to come.
increasingly important contributions towards
chemistry and natural product chemistry.
‘The School of Chemistry is flexible enough
the Irish economy. The School of Chemistry
‘With financial support from the Irish Marine
to adapt,’ he says, ‘so if the industry changes,
also delivers a Structured PhD in Chemistry,
Institute, we recently recruited a Professor
we can make sure we’re ahead of the game.’
With its long-standing pedigree and flexible degree programmes, the School of Mathematics at Trinity College Dublin has a winning formula
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
Calculated success
www.maths.tcd.ie
The School of Mathematics at Trinity College Dublin enjoys a long
years, students can then select from the modules offered by either
history of educational excellence that stretches over more than 400
programme. ‘Students like the fact that they can combine pure
years and includes such academic luminaries as the physicist and
mathematics and physics in one degree,’ says Sinead. ‘And we follow
mathematician William Rowan Hamilton. The school is not content
that through in the way we teach our degrees. Because our faculty
with just its past achievements. Trinity College Dublin is described
can talk to both groups we can also offer students a significant
by QS World University Rankings as ‘Ireland’s premier university’,
combined research project in their final year.’
and in 2011 the rating body placed the School of Mathematics
The school is part of a college-wide initiative called ‘Mathematics
at a highly respectable number 15.
of Complexity’, which looks at how the subject can play a role
The centre of learning’s undergraduate options stand
across the entire university. ‘We’ve started conversations with
out as well. Unlike most schools of mathematics, it offers
our colleagues in genetics and economics, for example, about
Theoretical Physics degrees alongside the more commonplace
the common fundamental issues that we share,’ says Sinead.
BA in Mathematics and joint degrees. ‘This gives us a very
‘We’ve just started out, but my vision is that it will feed down
distinctive profile,’ explains Professor Sinead Ryan, Head of
into new teaching initiatives, addressing up-to-date problems.
School. ‘Mathematics would normally be taught solely by pure
‘We’re quite a small school and we really value our interaction
mathematicians, but at Trinity there is a real interplay between
with students,’ she adds. ‘We talk to them informally all the time
mathematics and theoretical physics in our research-led teaching.’
and feed their opinions into our courses.’ Many stay on to follow
Flexible degree programmes
the school’s master’s and PhD programmes, or use their degree as a launch pad to a career from a broad range of areas where their analytic skills are in real demand. ‘We have lots of international
Physics degree courses each year, both of which provide a strong
companies here in the heart of Dublin,’ says Sinead, ‘they know about
foundation in core topics in the first two years. Over the final two
the School of Mathematics and its reputation, both past and present.’
244 / 245
Around 40 students join the school’s Mathematics and Theoretical
Gateway to opportunity Boasting excellent academic and industry connections, Prague College is a compact educational institution that broadens the future prospects of its students www.praguecollege.cz
Located in the heart of Europe, Prague College offers a highly focused
a visionary science-fiction writer – and Tomáš Sedláček – recently
education to students who are not afraid to stand out from the crowd.
identified as one of the five most influential economists emerging in
Dubbed the ‘British University in Prague’, its degrees are accredited
the world today.’ As Douglas explains, Prague College is particularly
by Teesside University, including master’s degrees in international
attractive to students who want to stand out: ‘Most international
management and computing. Preparations are under way for the
managers will have done their postgraduate work in a major
introduction of a master’s in art and design in the next year or two.
economic centre in China, the UK or the USA. Prague appeals to
‘Prague has an international, cosmopolitan workforce and
someone who is adventurous in spirit, who has the self-confidence
a vibrant business and cultural community,’ says Douglas Hajek,
to know that they can take the path less followed and turn that
Director of Prague College. ‘It has emerged as a regional and
into an incredible advantage.
international centre for a lot of companies who have set up their
‘Students who take full advantage of the opportunities we offer
research and development here. It is therefore perfectly situated
can walk away with an unusual experience that can only enhance
to give students the opportunity to work with large international
anything else they’ve done,’ he adds. ‘By coming to Prague, students
companies, such as Microsoft and DHL.’
are not stepping away from the key drivers of the world economy
Prague College is a small institution with just over 600 students
but approaching them from a slightly different direction.’
attending its schools of art and design, business, and IT and computing. The college is next to a large park and is only a short
International mix
walk from the centre of Prague, while the city itself is a gateway
Roughly one third of the students at Prague College are Czech
to Eastern Europe, within easy reach of the likes of Vienna, Munich
nationals, a little over a third are expats and a little under a third are
and Budapest.
overseas students. As such, it’s a truly international college in the heart
Master’s programmes
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘The interaction students get with professors here is highly individual and is something the college wants to maintain’
of Europe. ‘Even our direct neighbours – the Germans and Poles – are coming here,’ explains Douglas. ‘At the same time, we have lots of Russians, Ukrainians and Brits coming through our doors.’
offers two master’s degrees. The master’s in international
The fact that Prague College isn’t vast is part of its appeal, though
management gives students the opportunity to develop networks and
Douglas expects it to double in size over the next five years. ‘There is
skills, and to apply their academic ability to a working environment.
great potential for growth in certain areas, but we’re interested in
The master’s in computing, on the other hand, is particularly suited
building excellent academic endeavour in a small environment,’ he says.
to professionals seeking to update or broaden their skills in areas
‘Prague College is not a mass-education destination. The interaction
such as systems design, hardware, networks, web programming,
students get with professors here is highly individual and is something
databases and IT management. Both can be completed in 12 months
the college wants to maintain.’
of intensive study or over 24 months on a part-time basis for the
Graduates who choose the ‘British University in Prague’ can
MSc International Management.
receive an outstanding education, develop excellent contacts
‘The college’s Master Speaker Series backs up the master’s
and enhance their careers. They can also enjoy an affordable and
programmes and enables our students to meet some outstanding
vibrant experience in one of Europe’s most beautiful, historic
people,’ says Douglas. ‘We host people such as Bruce Sterling –
and distinctive cities.
246 / 247
In addition to its five bachelor’s programmes, the college currently
A virtuoso performance The Royal Irish Academy of Music has been central to Ireland's musical life for more than 160 years and boasts a unique and wide-ranging structure www.riam.ie
The creation of The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) in Dublin
‘The majority of our students are school age, with a small
in 1848 brought with it the country’s first formal music performance
proportion of full-time students following our professional degrees,’
education. Since then, the RIAM has grown to become a central
explains Deborah Kelleher, Director. ‘It’s the reverse model of
contributor to Ireland’s musical life thanks to its unique reach,
music conservatoires in the UK and other international equivalents.
structure and strengths.
By introducing children to music performance early, the RIAM helps
Today, the RIAM enjoys an international reputation as an elite
develop the pool of young talent in Ireland to feed into its higher
music institution; some of its 1,200 students – from Ireland and
education courses. ‘We have a rich and diverse community of learning,
beyond – have garnered prizes from the world’s most prestigious
which comes from our pyramid structure. Some of our juniors have
competitions. These range from the Clara Haskil International Piano
become international prizewinners at the age of 11 and moved on
Competition and the Maria Callas Grand Prix singing competition to
to significant professional careers, while others are diligent students
the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition and the BBC Cardiff
who may go on to work in areas unrelated to music.’
Singer of the World. Its alumni include members of such leading orchestras as the London Symphony, the Philharmonia and the Hong
Nationwide learning community
Kong Philharmonic, as well as opera houses from the Royal Opera
The RIAM is firmly committed to supporting and leading music
House to La Scala, Milan. Meanwhile, the RIAM’s staff is no less
education at every level far beyond the walls of its Westland Row
impressive, including many national and international prizewinners,
campus. To this end, it founded the Local Centre Examination System
and members of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and
in 1894. This is the only indigenous examining body in Ireland for
the RTE Concert Orchestra.
music. ‘We have 42,000 students entered by 7,000 teachers taking
Inclusive approach
our exams every year in 1,700 locations across Ireland,’ says Deborah. The academy intends to strengthen this nationwide learning
The RIAM’s reach is far broader than prizes and big names alone
community further by using 21st-century technology, with the
would suggest, however. It is truly inclusive and caters for students
introduction of Ireland’s first virtual learning environment for vocal
of classical music of all abilities and ages, from preschool to
and instrumental teachers. Called the RIAM Teaching Network, this
retirement. Across its five faculties – Keyboard; String; Woodwind,
launches in November 2013 and is to provide teachers with an array
Brass and Percussion; Vocal; and Musicianship – it offers a wide
of resources including videos, podcasts, forums and printed material.
range of options. There’s everything from short courses right
‘What excites me about this new initiative,’ says Deborah, ‘is that it
through to graduate diplomas, BA, MA and doctorate qualifications,
builds on the RIAM’s existing education by drawing on the expertise
and a summer school for selected classical music disciplines.
of our world-class teaching faculty and sharing it for the benefit of
The reason the RIAM can be so inclusive is thanks to an exceptional
the larger teaching community in Ireland.’
pyramid structure: most students are part-time, with only 10 per
Deborah acknowledges that while this inclusive attitude benefits
cent at the top of the pyramid following full-time courses.
a broader range of learners, when it comes to the RIAM’s full-time
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
248 / 249
students, the institution takes the opposite
Ireland to develop major partnerships within the sector.
approach. ‘We only take 120 of the very
We chose TCD because not only is it Ireland’s leading
best students on our full-time programmes,’
university and right across the road from us but also
she explains. ‘Because of that exclusivity,
it has a significant creative arts strategy. In many ways,
we have an employment rate of almost
it was a marriage made in heaven.’
100 per cent among graduates.’ Such a select intake also makes for small classes, a
Further collaboration
close-knit community and ample one-to-one
The partnership has already led to exciting work.
attention. ‘This means we can give roughly
‘We’ve combined with The Lir National Academy of
twice the amount of teaching that other
Dramatic Art at TCD to present seven single-act operas,
conservatoires offer,’ confirms Deborah.
all fully staged with costumes, sets and lighting,’ says
‘For instance, a violin student would have
Deborah. ‘These “opera briefs” have involved the RIAM’s
two hours with a teacher and an hour with
singers, musicians and The Lir’s technical theatre students,
an accompanist each week. In addition,
all overseen by leaders in the professions of conducting,
we afford our students exceptional
directing and lighting. Members of our student-led
performance opportunities, nationally
contemporary ensemble, Kirkos, have also collaborated
and internationally.’
with their peers from TCD’s music department and Music
New partnership
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘Such a select intake makes for small classes, a close-knit community and ample one-toone attention’
Composition Centre to perform works by the RIAM and TCD students, and emerging professional composers in Ireland.’ Deborah envisages more collaboration: ‘In the
provided the background for the RIAM’s
future, we might look to combine seminars using TCD
current major development – its new
scholars, supported by related performances to create
partnership with Trinity College Dublin
a multi-dimensional cultural experience drawing on the
(TCD), announced in early 2013. This has
expertise across all of the TCD constituency. We are also
made the RIAM an Associated College of
in the planning stages for the development of master’s
TCD, and provides both institutions with
and doctorate programmes in music education in
the benefits of collaborative work and
partnership with the TCD School of Education.
links that will boost performing arts
Just as it pioneered music education in Ireland
education and creative arts in Ireland.
more than 160 years ago, the RIAM is committed to
Deborah explains how the partnership
all aspects of its unique education, finding new and
came about: ‘In 2011, the government
creative ways to reach more people and continue its
encouraged all educational institutions in
tradition of excellence and dynamism.
250 / 251
Ireland’s changing educational landscape
fresh perspectives SÜdertÜrn University’s inclusive approach to learning attracts students from Sweden and beyond, and prepares them for the challenges of the working world www.sh.se
Södertörn University offers its students a multidisciplinary approach
ever more accessible to foreign students. Indeed, the university
to education. It’s an attitude that encourages learners to apply a
itself has a dedicated service centre that offers advice and assistance
broad perspective to their chosen subject and to ask questions from
to students from overseas.
a range of viewpoints. While this can prove challenging, it’s also one of the key attractions for those graduates who choose to continue
Tackling the big questions
their studies at the esteemed Swedish university; one that enables
Sweden is one of the world’s most forward-thinking countries, and
students to think for themselves and puts them in a strong position
Södertörn University plays a vital role in nurturing the country’s fertile,
in the highly competitive job market.
progressive climate by incorporating contemporary issues into its
Doctoral programmes
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘our approach is attractive to international students who may have been used to a more traditional, single-subject style of education’
research. ‘We grasp the questions of our time,’ says Professor von Wright. ‘We’re not afraid of big challenges, and we give our students a scientific framework in which to explore and examine them.’
with the majority at bachelor’s and master’s levels. The university
This fresh approach to research breeds an open atmosphere at
also offers several doctoral programmes, including Baltic and East
the university, where independent, creative thinking is prized. In turn,
European Studies; Environmental Sciences; Critical and Cultural Theory;
this helps students to gain a depth and breadth of understanding that
Historical Studies and Politics; and Economy and the Organisation of
they might not encounter elsewhere. ‘You get something beyond the
Society. All of them have varying multidisciplinary elements.
boundaries of the main traditional subject,’ says Professor von Wright.
‘This is a place where different subjects meet up,’ says Professor
‘You get to understand an area of problems, and you get trained in
Moira von Wright, the university’s Vice-Chancellor. Students working
asking questions in different ways, which is very important for research
in different fields come together in seminars and research discussions,
but also for anyone who wants to work in society.’
enriching both areas of study. Around 13,000 students attend the
Professor von Wright says that, having learned how to use their
university, and Professor von Wright says its relatively small size further
knowledge constructively, students from Södertörn University are in
encourages the flow of knowledge between departments. ‘We have
high demand and go on to find work around the world. ‘Many of
a closeness between our different subject areas, whereas in a bigger
our former students find themselves in posts and positions where
university, you don’t know what your neighbour is doing,’ she says.
they make decisions,’ she says, ‘such as in state administration or
‘Our structure and approach is attractive to international students
international corporations.’
who may have been used to a more traditional, single-subject style
While Professor von Wright extols its benefits, she is also clear that
of education as undergraduates in their own country.’
the university’s open and innovative approach can be taxing. ‘We place
Much of the teaching at Södertörn University is done in English,
high demands on our students’ intellectual capacity,’ she explains.
and English is widely spoken in Sweden, making it an appealing place
‘They have to be able to discuss and debate.’
for British graduates to live and study. The university’s campus is
For those who thrive in this kind of climate, however, the potential
located just 18 minutes by train from central Stockholm, a city that
returns are high, enabling Södertörn University’s students to move
is increasingly international in outlook and has taken strides to become
into challenging and rewarding areas of work with confidence.
252 / 253
Södertörn University offers around 60 programmes and 350 courses,
community spirit One of the USA’s most esteemed academic institutions, The University of Oklahoma values collaboration on a local, national and international level www.ou.edu
Founded in 1890, The University of Oklahoma (OU) in the USA is a public
empty field into a 271-acre research campus that houses programmes
research university that serves the educational, cultural, economic and
in radar technology, meteorology, genetics, energy and the life sciences.
healthcare needs of its state and nation. Renowned for its academic excellence and sense of community, OU currently educates more than
Community spirit
30,000 students from 120 countries.
‘Students must be equipped to function in a global environment,’
Through its 21 colleges, the university offers 163 majors at
says the university’s president. Enabling this to happen, the university
baccalaureate level and 157 at master’s level, as well as majors at
attracts students from 120 countries, and the percentage of OU
doctoral and doctoral professional level, and graduate certificates.
students studying abroad has risen from 2 per cent to 26 per cent in
Its impressive 3,500-acre campus, just 20 miles south of Oklahoma
10 years, while its new College of International Studies fosters the
City, is home to all the university’s academic programmes, except for
study of other cultures. However, OU also encourages a sense of
its health-related courses, which are taught in Oklahoma City itself.
community in its students, enabling them to engage with, and help
The Princeton Review ranks OU among the best in the country in
in the development of, local society.
terms of academic excellence and cost for students. Nationally, it ranks
The university’s outdoor spaces feature gardens, fountains
number one among public universities in quantity of National Merit
and seated areas, which invite students to visit, study and relax.
Scholars enrolled. And, in 2012, OU was the only university in the USA
OU’s Institute for Quality Communities enables researchers, students
to produce a Rhodes Scholar, a Marshall Scholar, a Mitchell Scholar,
and regional leaders alike to collaborate in their efforts to enhance
a Goldwater Scholar, a Truman Scholar and a Fulbright Scholar.
local communities by improving planning, design and governance.
Strong leadership
OU provides a major university experience with a private college atmosphere. Boasting more than 400 active student
At the helm of this exceptional institution is President David L. Boren,
organisations, there is an abundance of ways for students to
a former US senator and Oklahoma governor, who assumed the role
get involved in life on campus. The university is also home to
20 years ago. During this time, OU has become a leader in US public
one of the most well-known inter-college athletics programmes
higher education, thanks largely to his emphasis on four priorities –
in the country. The ‘Sooners’ (the nickname given to all of OU’s
teaching quality, research expansion, globalisation and community.
varsity teams) can lay claim to 26 national championships in sports
There is an emphasis on putting students first at OU. ‘While the
for both men and women. In addition, the OU debate team has
university plays an important role in the realm of research, the teaching
won the National Debate Championships for four of the past six
of students is its central purpose,’ says the university’s President. ‘It is
years and students have also won top awards in the National
through great teaching that intellectual curiosity is awakened and human
Petroleum Engineering Competition and the National Kennedy
potential is nurtured. I’ve lectured for every semester but one that I’ve
Center Competition in Drama.
been here – it keeps me focused on the importance of teaching.’
With academic excellence, exceptional facilities and an
Guided by its president’s belief that ‘research and teaching are not
inspirational leader, it seems the University of Oklahoma has
competitive, but complementary’, OU has transformed a previously
much to offer students from across the globe.
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ the university of oklahoma provides a major university experience with a private college atmosphere’
254 / 255
Learn beyond boundaries The Université de Sherbrooke is Canada’s most sustainable university and champions collaborations that benefit its students and the wider community alike www.usherbrooke.ca
The Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) has succeeded in carving
‘It's common at UdeS for lecturers from different disciplines
out an enviable place for itself among Canada’s major universities.
to jointly plan their courses in order to expose students to
By dismantling the barriers between disciplines, theory and practice,
overlapping perspectives,’ says Luce. ‘This is the case, for
and university and community, it has become a model for ingenuity
instance, on the Applied International Law and International
in advancing knowledge and practices in a sustainable way.
Policy graduate programmes.’
Located around 150 km east of Montreal and surrounded by mountains, forests and lakes, Sherbrooke is an important centre
Innovation through collaboration
for university education, boasting the highest number of students
UdeS’s efforts to work with the community are epitomised by
per capita in the province of Quebec. More than 37,000 of the
the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Center (C2MI). Created by
city’s student population attend UdeS, which was founded in
the university in cooperation with IBM and Teledyne DALSA, it
1954 and provides a North American education in French. It offers
serves as a fundamental link between applied research and the
47 undergraduate, 54 master’s and 32 doctoral programmes that
rapid commercialisation of microelectronic products. Canada’s
integrate teaching, research and a commitment to society.
most important facility of its kind, C2MI provides a forum for
Integrated approach
students, researchers and industry representatives to collaborate. It is anticipated that the centre will be the site of major
‘At the Université de Sherbrooke, we try to innovate by collaborating
technological discoveries in fields as varied as healthcare,
with businesses, governments and the wider community,’ explains
telecommunications and new media. And C2MI’s mix of
Luce Samoisette, the institution’s Rector. ‘Education allows us to fight
university and industry research ensures that it will be able
poverty, promote citizenship, safeguard the environment, understand
to provide responses to society’s ongoing challenges, along
each other’s cultures and foster tolerance. It gives us the freedom
with high-quality training for UdeS students.
to choose how to lead our lives, decide on our own particular paths
In addition to tackling societal issues, the university is
and feel that we are giving back to our society.’ To this end, the
engaging with environmental ones. In January 2013, Universitas
university’s ‘Learning Through Action’ approach encourages students
Indonesia (UI) named UdeS the sixth-most sustainable university in
to take an active role in their education by working alongside others
the world, according to its 2012 UI Greenmetric World University
and getting out of the classroom, enabling them to be involved in
Ranking. The annual survey compares universities’ efforts towards
the advancement of their local community and beyond.
achieving campus sustainability, and UdeS was the top-ranked
One example of this is UdeS’s doctorate in medicine. Working in
Canadian university in the latest issue thanks to such measures as
small groups enables students to progress independently and develop
responsible waste management and the creation of green spaces.
a comprehensive understanding of health problems. The success of
An environmentally friendly attitude and flexible approach
this approach is illustrated by the fact that the university’s Faculty
to study and research benefit the student body as well as the
of Medicine and Health Sciences is the only one of its kind in the
wider community. They also confirm UdeS’s status as one of
French-speaking world with World Health Organization affiliation.
Canada’s most outstanding universities.
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ It’s common At UdeS for lecturers from different disciplines to jointly plan their courses in order to expose students to overlapping perspectives’
256 / 257
‘ There is a really strong relationship between the faculty and the students, and an incredible amount of student engagement’
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
A healthy attitude to education The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta in Canada takes a creative, and memorable, approach to learning www.med.ualberta.ca
Students at the University of Alberta in Canada can expect the
to attend medical school, but at times, I did find it a little bit
unexpected. From professors performing pop songs to theatre and film
boring,’ she admits. ‘I asked myself why the teaching couldn’t
being used as teaching tools by the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, it’s
be as exciting as the practice, so I developed my own lecture
an institution renowned for the quality of its at times unconventional
style, which I call “medutainment”.’
teaching and research.
Sarah’s teaching repertoire includes a beatnik poem set to
Irfan Kherani, former President of the University of Alberta Medical
jazz that describes abdominal infection, and an adapted pop song
Students’ Association, describes the teaching as ‘phenomenal’. ‘There is
with accompanying ukulele that describes the treatment of a throat
a really strong relationship between the faculty and students,’ he says,
infection. ‘The students love it,’ she enthuses. ‘After I performed the
‘and an incredible amount of student engagement.’ It’s a dynamic that
poem, 99 per cent of them got the facts correct in their exams.’
translates into results, with the students of Alberta’s first medical school achieving the top national marks in their medical licensing exams.
Acting Like Doctors
Engaging with students While Sarah’s teaching methods may sound unusual, they have proved highly effective, and she now advises her colleagues on new ways to engage with students. ‘Ultimately, I want to help patients, but it’s
his teaching licence in acting – a move that is fully supported by the
also about how fun medicine can be,’ she says. ‘There is so much
faculty. Indeed, there are strong links between the arts, the humanities
information to retain that I try to provide a memory hook in each
and medicine at the University of Alberta, as Irfan exemplifies. It’s a
lesson to help the students remember everything.’
connection that isn’t limited to simply appreciating music, theatre and
However, it remains the students’ responsibility to illustrate that
film, but that extends to such optional modules as Acting Like Doctors.
they have digested the lesson at the end of each session. To this end,
Developed by one of the university’s medical students, it uses
they are asked to ‘retell’ what they have learnt in their own fashion.
performance theatre to help students better understand the patient
Sarah recounts an example when a student used a classic detective
experience and establish better methods of care.
movie narrative to describe the death of a specific bacterium. As she
Narrative Reflective Practice is another element of the course that
explains: ‘I just want to inspire people.’
makes good use of unusual media, screening films to help students
The University of Alberta is considered one of the world’s leading
consider the impact of treatment on patients. ‘It’s very well received
public research and teaching universities with more than 39,000
by students and gives us a different lens to look at our training and
students from across Canada and more than 5,000 from 144 other
remind us why we are here,’ says Irfan. Students at the Faculty of
countries. Around 400 graduate and undergraduate programmes are
Medicine & Dentistry also have the option to add a highly respected
taught across the university’s 18 faculties. And such is the quality of
research component to their learning, known as STIR or Special
its teaching that the university has been awarded the highest number
Training In Research. It’s a programme that recognises and confirms the
of 3M National Teaching Fellowships (Canada’s top honour for teaching
university’s influential standing and reputation as a research institution.
excellence) in the country. It’s a place where, as Irfan observes,
Sarah Forgie, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the university,
‘students take ownership of their education’, and where the traditional
isn’t afraid to shake things up in the lecture hall. ‘I felt so privileged
boundaries between the arts and science are refreshingly blurred.
258 / 259
Irfan is not only studying medicine, but also working towards gaining
More than a helping hand The University of Applied Sciences of Special Needs Education in Switzerland is the only university to offer an undergraduate degree in sign-language interpreting www.hfh.ch
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
Based in Zurich, the University of Applied Sciences of Special Needs Education (HfH), is the largest institution of its kind in Switzerland,
‘ any institution can come to us to check they are up to date with what they do in practice’
providing for more than half of the country’s population in special needs education. Most of the university’s students are local, but
adults with school-to-working-life transition difficulties; adults and
exchanges are available with universities in other European countries,
elderly people with disabilities; systems and institutional issues in
including the UK, France and Germany.
special needs education; and professionalism in the curative and
Through its teaching, research work, services and outreach
special needs education sectors.
services, the university aims to improve the lives of anyone with learning difficulties, intellectual disabilities, physical challenges, multiple
Sole provider
disabilities or anyone who is speech- or hearing-impaired, deaf, visually
The Swiss-German courses in sign-language interpreting and sign-
impaired or blind. More than 1,000 students are enrolled at HfH.
language teacher training are the only ones of their kind offered,
Around 270 of those are undergraduates studying bachelor’s courses
respectively, at bachelor level and as a continuous education certificate
in speech therapy, psychomotor therapy or sign-language interpreting.
course. HfH’s sign language research projects are conducted
There are also around 720 master’s students specialising in special
in collaboration with the Sign Language Research Centre in Basel,
needs education either in schools or early childhood. ‘A further 2,500
the University of Zurich and other research projects throughout Europe.
attend HfH for its courses in further education and another 750 take
As well as research and education, the university offers services
part in its congresses,’ adds Professor Karin Bernath, the university’s
to the cantons (the Swiss regional states), foreign ministries, school
Vice Rector. All programmes combine a scientific and practice-oriented
communities and any other institutions involved with special needs
approach to training professionals for a career in teaching or therapy.
education. The university can also assist with any issues concerning
Improving lives
human-resources development, undertake evaluations and audits, give lectures, facilitate workshops and provide counselling and concept development.
education in schools tend to help integrate pupils with special needs
‘Cantons consult us if they want to make any policy changes
into regular schools,’ says Karin. ‘They either coach the institutions,
regarding children and adults with disabilities or if they want to
coach the teachers or they themselves teach. Sometimes they do all
introduce new diagnostic instruments,’ says Karin. ‘If a school has
three. Those who specialise in early childhood tend to help those
problems integrating someone with special needs, they can contact
children with learning difficulties in the home environment.’
us. If an individual has problems working somewhere, they can ask
The students’ master’s theses often form part of a much wider
us to approach their employer. Indeed, any institution can come to
body of research work undertaken by HfH. There are usually around
us to check they are up to date with what they do in practice.‘
25 research projects in progress at any one time, some of which
Through all its strands of work, the University of Applied Sciences of
are carried out in cooperation with other universities in Europe.
Special Needs Education influences scientific debate and political opinion
The research is split into five different areas: infants, children and
making. Most importantly, the university’s work continues to contribute
adolescents with special educational needs; adolescents and young
to a better quality of life for those in Switzerland with special needs.
260 / 261
‘Those who undertake a master’s specialising in special needs
Window on the world The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, part of the renowned University of Basel, is perfectly positioned to offer a global perspective www.philhist.unibas.ch
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
The Swiss city of Basel’s unusual position – at
classics and cultural studies to literature
schedule. And at Stadtkino Basel – the city’s
the heart of Europe but outside the European
and various languages.
main repertory cinema – students introduce
Union – provides its residents with a unique
And while the university excels in a
screenings of movies and present entire
perspective on the continent. Located at the
variety of academic subjects, the long-term
film festivals. Other partners include
intersection between Switzerland, Germany
nature of its strategy programme allows it
the famous Basel music academy Schola
and France, Basel is a natural platform
to focus its broader energies on a specific
Cantorum Basiliensis and the city’s
for cultural exchange and international
theme. ‘The University of Basel is one of the
temple to the written word, the House
experience. It seems only right, then, that
strongest research universities in Switzerland
of Literature.
plans for 2014–19 at the University of Basel’s
and was one of the first in the country to
Further enhancing its collaborative
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
develop an institutional strategy that informs
credentials, the university is home to the
should focus on European and global studies.
its future development,’ explains Professor
Center for European and International
Dr Antonio Loprieno, Rector.
Studies, which combines European
‘The cornerstones of this strategy are,
integration research and teaching.
‘The university’s strategy is defined every
on the one hand, a commitment to learning
The centre places a strong emphasis on
five years and sets out the main areas for
in a range of disciplines and, on the other,
a multidisciplinary approach – evident in
research,’ explains Ilja Karenovics, Managing
a quest for research excellence in a more
the joint research done by the faculties
Director of the Department of Linguistics
select number of areas, such as European
of law, economics and humanities, for
and Literature. ‘The fact that Switzerland
and global studies,’ he continues. ‘It is in
instance. It’s an attitude that, combined
is situated in the centre of Europe but
these latter fields that the university invests
with the international composition of its
is not a member of the EU affords us a
most of its new resources and collaborates
faculty and student body, has established
somewhat neutral scholastic viewpoint.
with Basel’s leading economic and cultural
the centre as a world-renowned destination
Rather than focusing on the political or
organisations, from pharmaceutical giants
for academic conferences and gatherings.
economic process, the global and European
to the city’s famous art museums, music
Indeed, the centre has built up an
studies we deliver are part of our broader
academies and private foundations.’
enviable network of resources and contacts,
Five-year strategy
interdisciplinary cultural studies.’
thanks in no small part to the help it provides
The University of Basel places a strong
Cultural partners
emphasis on the study of culture, a significant
Notable cultural partners include the
supplying visiting academics with research
proportion of which takes place in the Faculty
CulturEscapes festival, which is hosted in a
facilities, as well as sharing the university’s
of Humanities and Social Sciences. The largest
different European region or city every year.
own research results, both at events and
of the university’s faculties, it offers a wide
The university gives public lectures from its
online. It also serves as a contact point for
range of degree programmes, ranging from
teaching programme as part of the festival’s
enquiries about relations between Switzerland
to various research projects. This includes
262 / 263
‘BAsel is one of the strongest research universities in Switzerland and one of the first in the country to develop an institutional strategy’
and the EU, disseminates information about
oriented academic learning,’ says Erich Thaler, Director
European integration and publishes its own
of International Affairs. ‘At the same time, it means
series of papers on the subject.
paying low fees and enjoying the professional guidance
Master’s programmes
of world-class teachers and researchers. Admission to the University of Basel requires a real commitment from any
The centre’s teaching provision ranges from
student or young researcher by investing time, energy
further education courses – for the likes of
and enthusiasm to comply with standards of studies and
legal practitioners, diplomatic staff and media
research that are among the highest worldwide.’
professionals – to its three postgraduate programmes. These include a master’s in
Career opportunities
Advanced Studies in European Integration, a
Situated in Switzerland’s second-most important
master’s in European Studies and a Certificate
economic region, the university has close relationships
of Advanced Studies in European Integration.
with a diverse range of local industries and a host
Recognised as one of Switzerland’s
of international organisations, such as the Bank for
leading centres of education, the University
International Settlements. This opens up excellent
of Basel is also the country’s oldest university,
opportunities for the university’s graduates, who are
dating back to 1460. Today, around 6,500
helped further by the university’s excellent Career Service
undergraduate and 5,500 postgraduate and
Centre, which guides them through the hectic job market.
doctoral students study at the university, which
As a geographical, cultural and educational
is ranked among the top ten German-speaking
crossroads between Switzerland and Europe, the
institutions by QS World University Rankings.
University of Basel attracts talented individuals from
It’s a reputation that the university
around the world. And with its new focus on European
is eager to sustain and foster. ‘Studying
and global studies, it’s all set to take full advantage of
in Switzerland means intense and output-
its expertise and unique international perspective.
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
264 / 265
‘ the English-speaking University of Hong Kong (HKU) is sometimes referred to as the “Oxbridge of East Asia”’
Already one of the world’s most respected research-led universities, The University of Hong Kong is significantly expanding its presence in mainland China
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
The Mainland Attraction
www.hku.hk
Ranked by many leading publications as one of Asia’s top educational
scientists at HKU were ranked among the top one per cent in
institutions, the English-speaking University of Hong Kong (HKU) is
their fields by the Institute for Scientific Information. By 2012,
sometimes referred to as the ‘Oxbridge of East Asia’.
an impressive 111 scientists had achieved this ranking.
‘Our strength is that we are part of the rising economy of China,’
HKU attracts more than 2,600 research postgraduate students
says Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, HKU’s President and Vice-Chancellor.
across the fields of architecture, arts, business and economics,
‘We consider ourselves to be a gateway to mainland China, a bridge
dentistry, education, engineering, law, medicine, science and social
between East and West, and a link between Asia and the world.’
sciences. But less than half of these are from Hong Kong, with the
Increasing engagement
remainder coming from China and across the world. King’s College and Imperial College in London and the University of Toronto have
To create more opportunities for its students, researchers and
all partnered with HKU to offer joint PhD programmes. Students will
professors, HKU has made increasing its academic engagement
get joint supervision from professors at both locations and be
with the mainland one of its main aims over the past few years.
examined to the standards of both.
‘Hong Kong is strong in finance, but we have very little industry,
Common core
will be addressed by the opening of the HKU Shenzhen Institute
HKU famously introduced a new ‘common core’ four-year
of Research and Innovation in 2011. Already, it has strengthened
undergraduate curriculum in September 2012. By increasing
the links between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, a major centre of
the length and breadth of study, the university aims to broaden
Chinese industry. With support from the Guandong and Shenzhen
the horizons of all HKU students beyond their chosen discipline.
governments, the HKU Shenzhen Hospital was also established
‘We’ve also adopted “experiential learning”,’ says Tsui. ‘This is
in 2011. ‘This enables us to contribute to healthcare reform,
where we expose students to real-life situations so they can gain
so it’s mutually beneficial to the university and to the mainland
an understanding that problems cannot always be resolved by
government,’ says Tsui. The university has also opened study
perfect academic solutions.’
centres across the mainland, including one in Shanghai.
To translate these learning goals into physical form, the university
HKU has a strong research culture. In 2003, during the outbreak
has opened a new ‘Centennial Campus’ with extra classrooms, new
of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the university’s medical
restaurants, updated ICT and more lecture theatres. ‘We are very
researchers were the first in the world to identify the coronavirus
crowded here in Hong Kong,‘ says Tsui. ‘The new campus gives us
that caused it. As a testament to its excellent research reputation,
a 40 per cent increase in learning space, providing students with
HKU attracts the largest share of competitive research grants in Hong
more room for their studies.’
Kong, amounting to HK$151 million (around £12.5 million) in 2012.
With its new campus and increasing connections with the
For leading research, HKU needs leading academics and many
mainland, this English-speaking university is the ideal place for
of the university’s staff are world-renowned scholars. ‘We recruit
any graduate to pursue their passion while taking advantage of
globally and get the best professors here,’ says Tsui. In 2003, 18
all that the modern Chinese economy has to offer.
266 / 267
especially in manufacturing,’ explains Tsui. It’s hoped that this
academic Excellence With 13 faculties and more than 150 academic programmes, the University of Kashmir has raised the standard of higher education in the region www.kashmiruniversity.net
Founded in 1948, the University of Kashmir has come a long way
‘The emphasis on the quality of teaching at the university
from its humble beginnings as an English-language faculty to the
has resulted in a sharp increase in the number of students passing
academically excellent university it is today. It now provides teaching
the national NET and JRF examinations, which determine their
and research in its various faculties: arts, languages, natural sciences,
eligibility for lectureships and junior research fellowships,’ says
social sciences, education, commerce, law, medicine, dental surgery,
Professor Ahmad.
engineering, music and fine arts. All are staffed by academics with considerable experience.
Cultural connections
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘The university’s vision is to be a world-class university committed to the creation and dissemination of knowledge for human welfare’
Infrastructure expansion The University of Kashmir offers 151 academic programmes in 13 different faculties, which include 38 teaching departments and 18 research centres. It also operates the Allama Iqbal Library,
the local region by establishing a number of educational hubs.
which houses a collection of around 650,000 books and some
These include the Centre for Central Asian Studies, which focuses
14,000 online journals.
on the cultures and peoples of the Central Asian region, and the
To further improve its student services, the University of Kashmir
UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies, which
established a separate Directorate of Information Technology &
seeks to preserve the cultural heritage of Kashmir. Local flora and
Support System in December 2007. The facility has overseen the
fauna are put under the microscope at the Centre for Biodiversity
development of software solutions for admissions, student registration
and Taxonomy, an important facility in the Department of Botany,
and examinations, as well as a feedback forum. The university is
while the Centre of Research for Development is involved in
also at the forefront of promoting the use of IT within its teaching–
environmental and societal research. The contributions of several
learning process. So far, around 900 e-TV programmes, 275 e-contents
of these centres have been recognised at a national level.
resources and 350 Learning Object Repository articles have been
‘The university’s vision is to be a world-class university
prepared at the university’s Educational Multimedia Research Centre
committed to the creation and dissemination of knowledge for
for the benefit of students.
human development and welfare,’ says Professor Talat Ahmad,
Spread over 263 acres of lush green land in Hazratbal, the
the university’s Vice Chancellor.
University of Kashmir offers staff and students a range of services,
The government’s University Grants Commission (UGC) identifies
including accommodation, a health centre and a gymnasium. As well
and supports departments that have the potential to undertake
as the already operational satellite campuses in Anantnag (southern
quality teaching and research in various educational disciplines.
Kashmir) and Baramulla (northern Kashmir), plans for an additional
Nine of the university’s departments have been selected for special
three campuses in Leh, Kargil and Kupwara have now been approved,
financial support under the prestigious Special Assistance Programme
which will make higher education more accessible to people living in
of the UGC. In addition, eight departments at the university have
the region’s remote areas. As Professor Ahmad explains: ‘The unique
received support under the government’s FIST programme, a funding
combination of lake and mountain scenery, and the university’s serene
scheme that seeks to support and improve science and technology
ambience provide a highly congenial atmosphere for academic
infrastructure in higher education institutions.
contemplation and scientific research.’
268 / 269
The university has sought to promote the study of, and links with,
South Asia’s global player Recognised as one of the world’s top centres of education, the University of Lahore in Pakistan offers a winning mix of academic excellence and up-to-date facilities www.uol.edu.pk
Every year, thousands of students from across the globe flock to the
manipulation of plants of agricultural importance,’ says Dr Qazi,
University of Lahore (UOL) in Pakistan to study a huge range of courses,
the university’s Vice Chancellor. ‘We have also developed expertise
from molecular science to film and television. Set up in 1998 by IBADAT
for selling technology to the local horticulture industry.’
Educational Trust, the university’s mission has always been to provide quality education to people of any creed, colour or religion, and prepare
Practical experience
them for employment. Spread across five campuses in Lahore (including
Students from every field are encouraged to complete internships at
the vast 100-acre Defence Road campus), Islamabad and Sargodha,
relevant organisations and institutes. Students of management science,
the university serves more than 18,500 students.
for example, gain hands-on experience at leading local banks, such as
Advanced research
Standard Chartered. Those studying nanotechnology can undertake cancer drug research at the National Center for Research at Quaid-i-
One of UOL’s stand-out features is the Center For Research in Molecular
Azam University in Islamabad. And health science students benefit from
Medicine (CRiMM), where MPhil and PhD students of biomedical
the use of UOL’s own dental hospital to practice and conduct research.
sciences, physiology, biochemistry and microbiology undertake
Although UOL is expansive, getting from one campus to another
advanced research on the treatment of cancer and other metabolic
is easy, thanks to the university’s transport system. There is also a
disorders. To support them in their rewarding work, the students have
dedicated team of students on hand to help new international arrivals
access to the latest and best equipment, including spectrophotometers,
with everything from airport transfers to finding somewhere to stay.
RT-PCR apparatus, phase-contrast and immunofluorescence microscopes
As well as academic excellence, the university places great emphasis
and genetic analysers. The results of their work have been documented
on extracurricular activities. Indeed, its rugby team was crowned winner
in hundreds of research papers published in national and international
of the All-Pakistan Universities’ Rugby Championship in 2012. In addition,
scientific journals, such as PLOS ONE.
the university’s Action Club organises treks across Pakistan, and the
Another notable site is the aptly named Creative Village, where
debating team has won numerous awards.
students of digital media are primed for employment in one of the
All of this goes to explain why Pakistan’s Higher Education
100 or so TV channels currently broadcasting in Pakistan. The students
Commission has placed UOL in the highest category in terms of courses,
receive hands-on training from experts in the design and production
research, facilities and teaching methods. It also accounts for why QS
centres within the village. They are actively involved in producing
World University Rankings and Times Higher Education have included
the content for the university’s own TV channel, as well as creating
UOL among the top 500 worldwide since 2005.
advertising programmes for local businesses and educative cartoons.
Not wanting to rest on its laurels, however, the IBADAT Trust – led by
The university also boasts an impressive agricultural biotechnology
its Chairman M. A. Raoof – plans to add new university buildings devoted
park, where students can assess plant tissues in greenhouses and
to electrical engineering and information technology, a research centre in
undertake field studies in partnership with industry and global
engineering sciences and more student accommodation. In fact, the flow
educational institutes. ‘Some of our professors and students are
of students looks well set to continue, with the launch of new academic
currently collaborating with Nottingham University on the genetic
programmes, particularly in the social sciences, in the winter of 2014.
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
‘ A dedicated team of students is on hand to help new international arrivals with everything from airport transfers to finding somewhere to stay’
270 / 271
‘ I teach my students that they have to grow on their own, so that I, as their teacher, will not be needed any more’
With alumni including the likes of Mahler and Sibelius, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna is a modern institution with an illustrious history
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
A UNIVERSITY OF NOTE
www.mdw.ac.at
The city of Vienna regularly tops international quality-of-life surveys,
water the plantlets, to give them enough sun. But in the end
thanks in no small measure to its vibrant cultural scene. Over the
I teach my students that they have to grow on their own, so
centuries, the Austrian capital, popularly known as the City of Music,
that I, as their teacher, will not be needed any more.’
has been home to some of the very best performers, composers,
The university’s numerous elegant, historic buildings house
writers and thinkers of their day.
innovative interiors in which to work. Careful attention has been
Housed in a number of splendid buildings around the city
paid to optimising light and acoustics, and to providing facilities
is the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, known as
that are well-equipped and regularly updated. In addition, an
MDW. With a student population of around 3,100, it is one of the
openness of mind prevails at MDW. Staff and instructors engage
world’s oldest and largest arts establishments, offering courses for
in critical reflection of their own work, and the university maintains
undergraduates and postgraduates in all areas of the performing
contact with its graduates, who are welcome to return and take
arts, including music, drama and film-making.
advantage of its broad range of opportunities for further education.
‘We have students from some 70 countries, almost 60 per cent of them are from abroad,’ says Andrea Kleibel, Vice Rector.
The business of art
‘That makes for a very special place.’
Alongside its emphasis on vocational training, MDW aims to help
Established in 1817 as the Vienna Conservatory, the university
its students and graduates acquire an understanding of the business
has always embraced the pursuit of individuality. Among its long list of
that surrounds the arts, and to maintain an awareness of cultural
illustrious alumni, names such as those of the composer Jean Sibelius,
developments. It also recognises the importance of providing a
the conductor Claudio Abbado and the violinist Fritz Kreisler stand out.
grounding in all professional occupations in the industry.
Its teachers have also included such eminent figures as the composer
Although German is the principal language of instruction at
Anton Bruckner and the great stage and film director Max Reinhardt.
the university, fluency is not a requirement for entry. ‘You’re given
Contemporary music and drama are nurtured alongside classical
the opportunity to have access to the language, and we find that
works at MDW, and while respect for what has gone before is
people learn it surprisingly quickly,’ says Andrea. ‘In the individual
paramount, the university encourages its students to explore the
classes that people take, if someone isn’t perfect in German, we’ll
arts for themselves. As the composer Gustav Mahler, another MDW
figure it out in English. Our international attitude is essential to
alumnus, is credited with saying about the institution’s approach:
how we do things, and we try to pave the way for anybody who
‘Tradition means passing on the fire, not worshipping the ashes’.
comes here to make it a successful experience for them.
Encouraging ideas
‘We have annual festivals and concerts that our students perform in, and we try to involve them from early on,’ she adds. ‘When you’re here, you’re free to develop yourself – you can find space to do so.’
students are actively encouraged to introduce and develop their own
It’s fair to say that, in addition to its home city’s outstanding
ideas. ‘For my students, I like to be like a gardener, so to speak,’ says
quality of life, MDW delivers an exceptional quality of education to
virtuoso pianist and MDW Professor Jan Jiracek von Arnim. ‘I try to
its talented international student body.
272 / 273
The university’s instructors cultivate a cosmopolitan outlook, and
an educated choice Offering a wide variety of disciplines and no fewer than 18 research centres, the University of Rajasthan boasts extensive academic and industry links www.uniraj.ac.in
Spread over a vast and beautiful main
Nuclear Research on a reactor in Dubna,
interdisciplinary research and have the
campus, the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur
Russia, and nanoparticle-based drug delivery
opportunity to train within the research
boasts more than 1,000 constituent and
research in the Roswell Park Cancer Institute
and development units of companies
affiliated colleges. Indeed, with 18 different
in New York.
such as Reliance Life Science.
research centres and ties to leading firms,
‘Some of our science students and faculty
In recognition of its achievements, the
including Vodafone and Ford, the range of
members have also been conducting research
university was deemed to have the ‘potential
learning on offer to students is staggering.
on transmission systems in the automotive
for excellence’ by the UGC (University Grants
‘We have 25 different study sectors
industry, working closely with the likes of
Commission) in 2011. This led to an increase
in the humanities alone, including the
Ford and Mercedes. They have even received
in government funding that has been used to
Indira Gandhi Centre for Human Ecology,
patents for their work, including one professor
upgrade the university’s facilities, including its
Environmental and Population Studies,’
– Y. K. Vijay – and his students for their
sports provision. The university now boasts an
says the Vice Chancellor.
development of catalytic fuel kits for cars,’
Olympic-sized athletics track, new basketball
The variety of research undertaken at
says the Vice Chancellor. ‘In addition, all
and tennis courts, and a swimming pool that
the university is similarly impressive, from the
of our students do eight-week internships
is used for national meets.
study of the novels of Thomas Hardy to the
at companies such as Vodafone and IT firm
However, the Vice Chancellor isn’t
exploration of Middle Jurassic macrofauna.
Infosys, which often result in full-time work
stopping there: ‘We want to provide more
after their studies.’
conference facilities, create a women’s
The university has also set up a Centre
artefacts museum and develop our e-content.
Students also benefit from carrying
for Converging Technologies, which offers
We also aim to establish new departments
out research in partnership with leading
master’s and PhD programmes that combine
of human rights, banking and finance, and
universities and companies across the
nanotechnology, biotechnology and
green chemistry.’ The options at the University
globe. The science faculty, for example,
neurotechnology. The centre is a hotbed
of Rajasthan look set to become greater
has worked with the Joint Institute for
of innovation, where students conduct
than ever.
Collaborative study
The Faculty of Economics and Business at Croatia’s University of Zagreb is a world-class education centre that is driving both personal and national progress
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
the economics of growth
www.efzg.unizg.hr
The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at the University of
to help students gain business knowledge, strengthen their
Zagreb, the oldest and most prestigious educational institution in the
competences and skills, and prepare them for the international
Republic of Croatia, is a regional leader in its field. The renowned
business environment. Students taking the BDiB are also involved
faculty has more than 250 teaching staff producing regular research,
in joint research with programme partners, including international
and offers courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral
strategy consultants Roland Berger and McKinsey & Co, the
degrees in a wide range of economic and business disciplines.
financial firm Ernst & Young, and other banks and information
‘The FEB has long been recognised as an important partner
technology companies. Furthermore, the school has been EPAS
of the largest Croatian industrial companies, which are leading
accredited by the European Foundation for Management
the country’s economic development,’ says the faculty’s Vice Dean.
Development (EFMD) since February 2011.
Many of the FEB’s alumni hold key positions, which means that
Zagreb, the capital of Croatia and the country’s main business,
the faculty is involved in numerous research and professional
political, academic and cultural hub is only two hours away from
projects, the content of which is primarily linked to solving Croatia’s
the beaches of the Adriatic Coast to the south, and the ski slopes
contemporary economic problems. The FEB is also actively involved
of the north. The FEB is home to around 14,000 students, and,
as grant holder or partner in many EU projects, such as FP7, Tempus,
since becoming fully eligible for the Erasmus exchange programme,
the Leonardo Programme and Erasmus Mundus.
the number of exchange students has been steadily increasing.
International preparation
Students cite the reputation of the faculty as a key reason for coming here. ‘The mission of the FEB is to further develop as an internationally recognised institution,’ explains the Vice Dean.
in business (BDiB), taught in English. ‘It is the only economics
Already a leader in the region, boasting high-quality scientific
and business study programme taught fully in English in Croatia,’
research and teaching, the faculty is looking to move forward
explains the Vice Dean. This unique programme has been designed
by harmonising with world and European standards.
274 / 275
The FEB has recently begun offering a four-year bachelor’s degree
Engineering global solutions The University of Saskatchewan's College of Engineering integrates international influences and academic disciplines to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow www.engr.usask.ca
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
When the world is faced with new challenges, from food security to the environment, it calls for a global response
‘ We have one of the most culturally diverse faculties
on campus, attracting students from all over the world’
that draws upon the experiences and ideas of different countries and cultures to find a solution. At the University
damage. It’s led by the mechanical and electrical engineers, but it also involves
of Saskatchewan in Canada, the College of Engineering
students from medical and other disciplines.’ One of the university's signature
prides itself on the fact that its graduate students are
areas, One Health, brings together a wide variety of disciplines from veterinary
helping to do just that through research.
medicine to kinesiology and dental, allowing postgraduates working in biomedical
The college has around 2,000 students, some 420
engineering to draw on a breadth of experience.
of whom are postgraduates. More than half of these
In addition to its impressive academic credentials, the University of
are international students, including large numbers
Saskatchewan is an appealing destination for graduates looking to work in
from China and India, as well as Europe, the USA and,
industry. The province is home to oil, gas and uranium and potash mining, as
increasingly, Africa.
well as manufacturing and agriculture, and the area’s booming economy helps
‘We have one of the most culturally diverse faculties
attract graduates from around the world.
on campus, attracting students from all over Canada and
‘Every year we collaborate with around 45 industry partners,’ says Dr Barber.
all over the world, which makes for a wonderful mix,’ says
‘A lot of the projects that form the basis of our research are funded by industry,
the college’s Dean, Dr Ernie Barber. ‘With its emphasis on
and in some cases these lead directly to jobs.’
research, the education we provide prepares our students to become engineering professionals, leaders of society
Space Elevator Challenge
and technical entrepreneurs.’
There are also plenty of extracurricular opportunities for students to help develop
Interdisciplinary opportunities
their skills. When NASA sponsored the Space Elevator Challenge, throwing down the gauntlet of moving a vehicle up a 1 km tether using only energy beamed to the vehicle from the ground, the University of Saskatchewan Space Team came
Chemical, Civil, Computer, Biological, Biomedical,
the closest of all the world’s entrants to meeting the challenge.
Electrical, Environmental, Geological and Mechanical
In addition, the College of Engineering is home to an active Engineers
Engineering as well as Engineering Physics. But it’s the
Without Borders group, which sends students across the world to help solve
links between these different disciplines that really help
problems. And another team, Huskie Motorsports, sets themselves the adrenalin-
the College of Engineering to stand out. ‘There are a
fuelled target of building a race car every year.
lot of interdisciplinary opportunities here that provide
Whether in the lab or in their spare time, graduates can pursue innovation
students with access to many different faculties,’ explains
as an integral part of the student experience, working with others to apply their
Dr Barber. ‘It’s unusual to have the broad range of areas
different perspectives to their projects and research. ‘Our world is constantly
of expertise that we do.
changing, and humanity relies on each new generation to engineer new processes
‘For example,’ he continues, ‘there is a tissue
and procedures that will improve life for us all,’ says Dr Barber. ‘When we bring
engineering research group that is currently working
students together from different parts in the world, they bring different experiences
on ways to help repair spinal cord, nerve and cartilage
that can be of benefit to us all.’
276 / 277
The college caters for ten engineering disciplines:
a fresh school of thought Located just outside Brighton, the University of Sussex’s School of Business, Management and Economics gives its students the tools to tackle key economic policy issues www.sussex.ac.uk
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
The School of Business, Management and Economics is one of 12 schools that form the University of Sussex, a leading research
‘ We have an expanding range of master’s degrees, led by internationally renowned academics’
university that was founded in the 1960s. Educating around 2,500 students, including some 600 postgraduates, it is divided
as well as in responsible private sector organisations. ‘We have
into three main departments: business and management,
an exciting and expanding range of master’s degrees on offer
economics, and science and technology policy research (SPRU).
across the school, led by some internationally renowned academics,’
The Department of Business and Management was launched
says Ian.
in 2009 and has gone on to become the school’s largest. It runs a number of undergraduate programmes and a range of one-year
Interdisciplinary approach
full-time master’s programmes in the core business disciplines.
Ian strives to ensure that the school is always forward thinking.
‘We have recently developed programmes in finance and banking
‘Sussex University has a tradition of interdisciplinarity and we aim to
as well as in management, entrepreneurship, marketing and
bring this perspective to all our programmes,’ he explains. ‘We have an
accounting,’ explains Professor Ian Davidson, Head of School.
expanding range of master’s degrees, led by internationally renowned
‘Each has a strong international flavour, with the subject groups
academics.’ The strategic direction is clear – interesting programmes,
being headed up by professors who are acknowledged experts
and alternative slants. This is achieved by hiring exceptional staff to
in their field.’
develop and deliver these programmes, by inviting guest speakers
Wide-ranging expertise
(such as economist Evan Davis, pictured above) and by nurturing a strong research culture. The results of this research are disseminated in various ways, including via government, the media and high-
but the departments of economics and SPRU have been serving
level research journals, and are also integrated back into the
the university for almost 50 years. The Department of Economics
school’s courses.
is particularly renowned for its work in development economics,
The quality of education at the school is matched by its location
international trade and labour economics, with these strengths
and facilities. In 2012, it moved into a new, state-of-the-art building,
reflected in its master’s programmes. More recently, expertise has
situated at the heart of the Sussex campus. A £29-million development,
been developed in the field of climate change economics and in
the Jubilee Building boasts a 500-seat lecture theatre, teaching spaces,
international finance, and the department boasts strong links with
academic and support space, and social and cafe facilities.
the World Bank and the Department for International Development.
The cosmopolitan city of Brighton, with its abundance of
The presence of SPRU ensures that the School of Business,
culture, is a mere eight-minute train journey from the campus, while
Management and Economics is more than just a business school.
London can be reached by train in under an hour. As an outstanding
Addressing sustainability, energy and other big 21st-century issues,
educational institution in a highly desirable location, the School of
SPRU has excellent government connections. As a result, its graduates
Business, Management and Economics at the University of Sussex
are found in governmental and policy positions across the world,
has much to offer.
278 / 279
Business and management may be a recent arrival at the school,
A winning formula Canada's University of Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics produces world-class research and offers educational tools to more than 200,000 students worldwide www.uwaterloo.ca/math
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
The University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Mathematics has some 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 200 full-time professors and around 500 courses, but there’s more to Canada’s impressive
‘ The tools we develop are aimed at increasing
people’s enjoyment and understanding of maths,
to encourage the maths students of the future’
centre of learning than statistics. One of the country’s leading higher education organisations, the Ontario-based university boasts a vast
mathematics faculty that also teaches pure and applied mathematics,
and the faculty is proud of the contribution it has made towards
computing and actuarial sciences. And with its community outreach
numerous pioneering projects. ‘Dr Ming Li – Computer Science
programmes and online educational tools, the faculty’s education
Professor – is combining computer research and web technology
provision extends far beyond the university’s campus walls to all
to create RSVP, a mobile question-answering system designed to
corners of the globe.
open up the web to millions,’ explains Dr Goulden. ‘Elsewhere,
Since the Faculty of Mathematics opened in 1967, much has
biostatistician Dr Richard Cook is developing statistical methodology
changed – not least the subjects that it teaches. ‘The application
with applications in health research, and Dr Jim Geelen – winner of
of mathematical sciences has altered over the past five decades,’
the Fulkerson Prize in 2003 – continues his groundbreaking research
explains Dean of Mathematics Dr Ian Goulden. ‘The subjects are
in matroids.’
used more broadly these days, for example, in the financial sector
Part of the faculty’s mission is to carry out world-class research
and the medical world. And computing makes it more possible to
Educational tools
theorise and simulate. The faculty includes departments of Applied
Outreach and community are also priorities for the university. To these
Mathematics; Combinatorics and Optimization; Pure Mathematics;
ends the Faculty of Mathematics runs the CEMC (Centre for Education in
and Statistics and Actuarial Science, as well as the David R. Cheriton
Mathematics and Computing), which provides educational enrichment
School of Computer Science. All offer undergraduate courses as well
tools online. More than 200,000 students from across the world use
as master’s and PhD programmes, and professional courses such as
these materials, which include such resources as competitions for
the Master of Mathematics for Teachers.‘
11–18-year-olds and teaching aids. ‘We want to attract people who
Sandwich courses
think that maths is cool,’ says Dr Goulden. ‘The tools we develop are aimed at increasing people’s enjoyment and understanding of maths, to encourage the maths students of the future.’
sandwich courses, aimed directly at preparing undergraduates for the
With its nurturing approach and global scope, the Waterloo
workplace. These courses usually consist of four months of study at the
Faculty of Mathematics is a beacon of higher education. ‘Some 25
university followed by four months of work experience. ‘The university
years ago we were only in Ontario,’ says Dr Goulden. ‘Now we reach
also operates an intellectual property policy, in which everything the
students across the world, competing with the likes of Cambridge
creator comes up with is theirs,’ says Dr Goulden. ‘Any software or
and MIT for the top 5 per cent of students.’ With statistics like that,
products developed are assigned directly to them.’
it’s hard not to be impressed.
280 / 281
Around two thirds of the university’s students are on ‘co-op’ or
Ready for business Warwick Business School brings in experts from outside disciplines, including the dramatic arts, to offer a fresh perspective and a world-class education www.wbs.ac.uk/go/Cambridge
Part of the University of Warwick, Warwick
and decision-making affects stock markets.’
Business School (WBS) has a mission: to
On the creative side, WBS is looking to
become the leading university-based business
produce business leaders who will change
school in Europe. It now educates up to
the world in very different ways.
7,000 students and offers a wide range of
‘We want people to challenge
undergraduate and postgraduate courses,
conventional wisdom,’ says Mark. ‘Our belief
from a BSc in Accounting and Finance to an
is that business needs creative thinking to
MSc in Marketing and Strategy. It has also
provide the innovations and insights to
begun a £30 million extension and has hired
rebuild the economy.’ This is why Jonothan
more than 60 new academic staff in the past
Neelands, Professor of Creative Education,
two years.
is also an executive director of Drama UK.
Clear vision
Furthermore, MBA students can take an intensive Shakespeare workshop at the
With a clear vision of the future of business,
Royal Shakespeare Company, learning
WBS is focusing on two areas: creativity and
about the art of leadership and decision-
behavioural science, which are being woven
making, and ending by pitching business
into the master’s and MBA programmes.
ideas to the RSC. In time, more acting-
‘I was working at a premier asset management
based methods will be added to modules,
firm, when the financial crisis struck,’ says
giving students a new understanding of
Mark Taylor, Dean of WBS. ‘I saw how many
business problems.
economic theories and models broke down.
Other innovative programmes include
Using a combination of psychology, maths,
the Global Energy MBA, aimed at energy
sociology and economics the Behavioural
professionals, and the launch of exciting
Science Group will look to answer the
research groups, such as the Enterprise
questions raised by the financial crisis.’
Research Centre, the Behavioural Design Lab
Professor Nick Chater heads up the
and the Global Economic Forecasting Unit.
Behavioural Science Group and believes
All students have careers support and make
business is not simply about numbers and
valuable contacts with companies such as
models; understanding human behaviour
Avis, IBM and Barclays.
is crucial as well. Professor Chater says:
It's clear that Mark’s ambitious goal,
‘Using rigorous experiments we have found
to produce tomorrow’s business leaders and
insights that help businesses understand
provide a clear return on students’ investments,
human behaviour, or how irrational thinking
is well on the way to being realised.
The World Trade Institute at the University of Bern enables individuals and organisations from around the globe to become informed players in trade governance
CHAPTER 3 | educational institutions
Bridging the trade gap
www.wti.org
The World Trade Institute (WTI) at the University of Bern in
now be found working in universities, multinationals and NGOs
Switzerland is one of the world’s leading academic institutions
around the world. Government representatives, scholars and
dedicated to international trade regulation. Established in the late
practitioners receive training in World Trade Organization law and
1990s as a centre of excellence, the WTI transcends boundaries
policy at the WTI’s Summer Academy in Bern and enhance their
in the field by fusing economics, law and international relations
knowledge of international intellectual property protection at the
in its educational, research and advisory service offerings.
WTI/CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong) Summer Programme
The institute’s global reach is profound, as an example
in Hong Kong.
provided by Director of External Programmes and Academic
In 2005, the WTI became the host institution of the Swiss
Partnerships Pierre Sauvé illustrates: ‘Recently, a former Chair
National Centre for Competence in Research (NCCR), a multidisciplinary
of the Board of the WTI was negotiating a bilateral agreement
network of researchers financed by the Swiss National Science
with Peru and was amazed at the competence of the people
Foundation. NCCR Trade Regulation was set up to provide a better
on the other side of the table,’ he says. ‘When she asked them
understanding of how the world trading system functions and to
where they had learned their craft, they said at the WTI.’
explore the sources and drivers of fragmentation and coherence
WTI Graduate School
in global trade governance. Due to a growing demand for external consulting services on trade and investment issues, the WTI added tailor-made courses to its
and Economics (MILE) programme dissects the international trade
overall offering. This can mean revamping and certifying a master’s
agenda using the disciplines of law, economics and politics. It’s an
programme for the Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development, or
intensive one-year programme that takes on around 40 students
sending experts out to Mongolia to train government personnel in the
annually, with the 2012 class coming from 21 different countries.
finer points of mining industry legislation. Even in a changing world,
Having fostered around 40 PhD graduates over the past eight
the WTI’s expertise, experience and multidisciplinary approach enable
years, the WTI’s doctoral programme produces experts who can
its people and partners to connect the dots, wherever they may lead.
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The WTI Graduate School’s flagship Master of International Law