4
4
Tertiary education
4.1 Cambridge spotlight Michael Bird
170
4.2 Higher education global Ahlia University
174
Banaras Hindu University
176
Brigham Young University
178
Curtin University Sarawak
180
ESAN Graduate School of Business
182
Faculty of Law, Université de Montréal
184
Faculty of Management, University of Johannesburg
186
Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta
188
FIA Business School
190
Florida Atlantic University
192
Institute of Medical Biology
194
Instituto Politécnico Nacional
196
Naresuan University
198
Reed College
200
Tshwane University of Technology
202
Universidad Adventista de Chile
204
Universidad del Norte
206
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja
208
Universidade Federal de Lavras
210
Universidade Tiradentes
212
University of Nizwa
216
University of South Florida
218
Wadi Sofia College
220
University of Iringa
222
4.3 Higher education Europe Universidade de Aveiro
223
Edinburgh Napier University
224
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Basel
226
Leeds Beckett University
230
Prague College
232
The Royal Irish Academy of Music
234
School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University
236
Södertörn University
238
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
240
Università di Torino
242
University Institute of Lisbon
244
University of Huddersfield
246
University of León
248
The challenges of global education Provide plenty of food for thought Michael Bird Regional director, the British Council
“Let me tell you a lovely story about artichokes,”
a good idea back then, whereas it now seems
says Michael Bird, Regional Director for Wider
obvious. Much as I loved studying in Cambridge,
Europe at the British Council and alumnus of
I wanted to go and speak Russian in a Russian
Emmanuel College, Cambridge. “Turkey is a
context and gain a cultural understanding.
major agriculture producer and it’s the world’s
And the single most life-changing experience I
largest producer of artichokes. Did you know
had was taking a year out from my Cambridge
that? But there’s enormous wastage in the
undergraduate degree to study in the Soviet Union
industry. Now, the British Council has brokered
on a British Council scholarship—a debt, after more
a partnership between the University of Reading
than 30 years with them, I like to think I’ve repaid!”
in the UK and Izmir Technical Institute in Turkey,
In fact, it was the head of the university’s
and they’re working with an agricultural company
Careers Service that first suggested a career at
that produces artichokes.
the British Council. “That was a life-changing
“Together, they’ve worked out how to turn
moment, because I had considered it but ruled
artichoke waste into environmentally friendly
it out, and he got me thinking: why? So I did
packaging—and that packaging also extends
apply. And I’m still here.”
the shelf life of the artichokes. It’s a lovely project. Incredibly virtuous. And the wonderful thing is,
TRAVELLING TO LEARN
we launched a university collaboration programme As an undergraduate, the experience of travelling to bring people together and what happens?
was pivotal for Michael. “It decided for me that
We produce more artichokes!”
I wanted to use my language skills for practical
Delicious as this may be, the real point of
purposes.” And that’s what Michael has spent his
the tale is this: that international collaborations
life doing ever since. Returning from the Soviet
between universities and businesses are not
Union, he moved on to the USA to take a post-
only productive and enjoyable, they’re crucial
graduate scholarship at Harvard. “That gave me
in today’s global economy.
distance and new perspectives on everything. And, since then, I’ve only spent four years in the
170
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
UK, and have moved both job and country on
The perception was not always thus. Back when
average every four years. That’s given me new
Michael studied Modern and Medieval Languages
challenges on a regular basis and basically made
—more accurately, German and Russian—at
it impossible for me to get stuck in set ways
Emmanuel, he recalls a much less international
of thinking.”
culture than we see today. It was one where the
In his role today, Michael manages British
very idea of spending time abroad while learning
Council operations in Turkey, the Western
a foreign language was, well, somewhat foreign.
Balkans and Israel, as well as the former
“I had to fight to be allowed to spend a year
Soviet Union countries. “The most important
in the Soviet Union,” he says. “It wasn’t seen as
thing I do is try and get the right people in
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
“The single most life-changing experience I had was taking a year out from Cambridge to study in the soviet union”
CHAPTER 4.1 | CAMBRIDGE SPOTLIGHT
171
programmes in Turkey and Russia that establish links with universities in the UK and with industry. Yet there’s still a long way to go. “There is a great academic tradition in these countries and it’s almost a class-based system—so the idea that universities and industry are natural partners is a novel one,” he says. “It’s not novel in the UK nowadays, but even if we are getting things right at home, that doesn’t mean we have the answers for Russia or Turkey or anywhere else. Yet I think what we can say in this area is that we have been grappling with these issues for longer, and may well, therefore, be able to help accelerate things where other countries are searching for their solutions. Sometimes that’s simply about being open the right posts,” he says, “and challenge and
and sharing our mistakes.”
support my 450 colleagues.” CONFERENCE CALLING
172
EDUCATING THE WORLD
Educationalists from all over the world, meanwhile,
The British Council’s primary function is to
have the opportunity to share both mistakes and
encourage and support global education,
successes every year at the British Council’s Going
says Michael. “We create opportunities for
Global event, which brings together thousands
educational institutions in the UK to contribute
of delegates from all over the world. “I think the
to the development of education systems
success of the conference shows an understanding
worldwide.” It helps individuals worldwide
that, if you’re in higher education, you’re operating
to benefit from a UK education, and reflects
in a global space,” says Michael.
well on UK plc.
So, how much international collaboration
“Booming populations, growing economies
should there be between higher education
and greater expectations are all fuelling huge
organisations around the world? “I don’t
demand for education,” he says, “and that
think there can ever be enough,” says Michael.
means more pressure on education systems.
“And there’s much more now than there used
The British Council does its job best when it
to be, to the extent that it’s now seen as normal.
works in partnership with other organisations,
One of the keys to competitive success is mutually
both in the UK and worldwide.”
beneficial collaboration.” Which is something
Michael sees this in the former Soviet
to think about next time you’re tucking into
countries with which he works, and mentions
an artichoke.
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
CHAPTER 4.1 | CAMBRIDGE SPOTLIGHT
173
Bridging the Gulf—uniting Arabic and Western expertise in teaching and research Ahlia University Manama, Bahrain | www.ahlia.edu.bh
consistently recognises Ahlia University as one of the very best performers in the country. “Every one of our evaluated programmes received ‘confidence’—the highest level on the assessment scale,” says Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, University President. “We also received high-level evaluations in the Institutional Reviews carried out by QQA and we are the only university in Bahrain to be recognised as having made good progress in QQA’s Institutional Review Follow-Up Report.” Western ties In addition, Ahlia is expanding its existing international relationships with Brunel University in London, The George Washington University in Washington DC, and France’s IONIS Education Group. “We are a young, ambitious university,” says Professor Al-Hawaj, “and we want to help solve problems in research by furthering
“We want to help solve problems in research by furthering partnerships between the Middle East and the West”
174
By placing an emphasis on its international
partnerships between the Middle East and
collaborations, Bahrain’s Ahlia University is helping the West.” to bring the world to the Arabian Gulf—and the
For the past seven years, Ahlia has offered
Gulf to the world. Founded in 2001, the university
a business-related PhD, awarded by Brunel
is located in the capital city of Manama and is
University, and the programme is being expanded
currently embarking on an ambitious development to cover other subject areas. It has also established programme that will include the construction of
a new student exchange programme with Brunel
a new, state-of-the-art facility and, by 2025, the
University, which saw the first UK exchange
expansion of its student population from around
students arrive in Manama in September 2014.
2,500 to some 7,500.
Another of the university’s relatively
Offered at undergraduate, master’s and
recent additions is its master’s degree in
doctoral level, the majority of programmes at the
Engineering Management—delivered jointly
private university are taught in English in small
in Bahrain by staff from George Washington
classes by Ahlia’s diverse faculty, which comprises
and Ahlia—which produced its first cohort
more than 25 nationalities. Furthermore, the
of graduates in 2014. An agreement is also
National Authority for Qualifications and Quality
now in place to offer a PhD in Engineering
Assurance of Education and Training (QQA)
Management, awarded by Ahlia’s US partner.
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
The university’s commitment to global ties and research excellence is illustrated by alumna Amina Alhawaj. A physiotherapy graduate and Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, Amina became the British Inventors Society’s first Ambassador for inventors in the Arab world in 2013. Her devices, which assist physiotherapy patients with movement of their lower limbs, have been repeatedly recognised for their exceptional levels of innovation, benefiting patients who suffer from osteoporosis, rheumatism, cruciate ligament injuries and muscular dystrophy. Alumni network “We have recently created an alumni organisation, to emphasise the importance of maintaining contact and collaboration with all of our alumni,” says Professor Al-Hawaj. “We are also establishing a separate society to support Bahraini inventors.” With the groundbreaking ceremony for the university’s new campus facility scheduled for late 2014, the aim is to be welcoming the first wave of students to the site by January 2017. Enjoying a prime location, the multi-million Bahraini Dinar development will include a teaching hospital alongside state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. Professor Al-Hawaj regards teaching and research as two sides of the same coin. “We put quality teaching and research first,” he says. “Every single person in the university plays a role in fulfilling this. We’re successful because we are very selective in choosing the best academic staff, and because, despite our small size, we’re highly international.”
CHAPTER 4.2 | HIGHER EDUCATION GLOBAL
175
Winning the battle to cultivate both hearts and minds Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India | www.bhu.ac.in
176
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
“This university welcomes people from every background. We are like a big family: that is our philosophy”
Upon founding Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
including Indian philosophy and Ayurveda,
in 1916, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya made his
a system of Hindu medicine.
aims clear. “A university would perform but half of its function if it did not seek to develop the heart
INTERDISCIPLINARY WORK
power of its scholars with the same solicitude with
“Our students collaborate with other departments,
which it develops their brain power.”
working in an interdisciplinary way,” says Professor
This balance of heart and head has shaped
Singh. For example, they can take traditional
the university ever since. Based in the sacred
medicine with Ayurveda—and even add another
north-east Indian city of Varanasi (also known as
unrelated subject, such as musicology.
Benares, or Banaras), its picturesque main campus
The CDC will further facilitate collaboration.
occupies 1,300 acres and is one of just a few
“Its sophisticated equipment will not ‘belong to’
Indian universities to offer undergraduate courses,
any faculty or department: students from a range of
postgraduate education and research all on one
fields will therefore come together to explore ideas,”
site. There is also a second, 2,600-acre campus,
says Professor Singh. “And younger researchers will
77 km away. Together they boast 30,000 students,
interact with more senior researchers.”
15 faculties and 131 departments.
Returning to the idea of “heart power”, BHU
“BHU has a very mixed student population,
prioritises student well-being. Free yoga classes, for
and that is important,” says Vice-Chancellor
example, are offered to medical students to help
Professor Lalji Singh. “We live in a country with
relieve stress. Other additional classes are also
over 1,500 ethnic groups. This university welcomes
provided. “We have daily classes to help students
people from every background, belief and country.
improve their English or develop computing skills,”
We are like a big family: that is our philosophy.”
says Professor Singh. “We listen to what our
The institution is driving forward, too,
students want and bring those things in.”
planning a Central Discovery Centre (CDC), which will be a hub of science and technology innovation.
THE HUMAN TOUCH
“New accommodation and facilities will open in
“We focus on excellence across the university,” says
2016 to mark our centenary year,” says Professor
Professor Nator, “ensuring that students get as
Harish Nator, Dean of the Academy of Education.
much support as possible—whether that’s through
“We will also lay the first foundation of our new
mentoring, academic support or language classes.
Convention Centre on the university’s 100th
We take pride in not only our academics, but also
birthday.” This will seat up to 10,000 people for
in developing character and moral values.”
exhibitions, conferences and events.
This supportive culture imbues BHU with an
Overall, BHU teaches traditional science,
innovative spirit as it embraces new technologies
humanities and arts subjects, and professional
that help its students. It also enables the university
programmes—such as veterinary science, business
to nurture both their heart power and their brain
and management—as well as unique courses,
power, as it has done for nearly 100 years.
CHAPTER 4.2 | HIGHER EDUCATION GLOBAL
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Combining study and faith to tackle real-world challenges Brigham Young University Provo, utah, USA | www.byu.edu
“We provide an academic experience that is spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging and character building”
178
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
On the face of the towering mountains that
undergraduates progress to postgraduate studies—
frame the campus of Brigham Young University
BYU is ranked fifth in the USA for graduates who
(BYU) is a 380 ft-tall “Y”. Resting 1,500 ft above
go on to earn doctorate degrees—and why its
the valley floor, the white beacon can be seen
graduates have such good reputations.
for miles. Originally, it had meant to comprise the letters “BYU”, but work halted after completion of
Respected programmes
the middle initial due to the extensive effort already
The university’s business school, the Marriott
made—indeed, students had formed a production
School of Management, is hugely respected
line from the mountain’s base, shuttling lime, sand
both nationally and internationally, and offers
and rock between them.
several high-ranking courses. “Our undergraduate
However, the emblem is much more than just
accounting programme, for example, is one of the
a middle initial. Today, as steadfast and prominent
top two or three in the USA,” says Brent. “We have
as at its 1906 construction, the “Y” acts as a symbol
a strong track record of placing our students in the
of all that BYU is—a respected institution with
finest accounting firms right out of graduation.”
180 undergraduate degrees, more than 60 master’s
Indeed, one such collaboration was described
degrees and nearly 30 doctorate programmes.
by Forbes magazine as “one of the most innovative business classes in America”. Similarly successful is
Learning by doing
the university’s J Reuben Clark Law School, which
The university’s Capstone programme, for instance,
is ranked the second-best-value law school by The
enables hundreds of engineering students to gain
National Jurist—the magazine for US law students.
hands-on experience with industry-sponsored
With 30,000 students, BYU is also one of the
projects. BYU’s animation programme, on the
largest private, faith-based universities in the USA,
other hand, gives students the chance to work with
and has a clear ethos that sets it apart from many
many of the USA’s leading animation companies,
other educational institutions. Around 98 per
and MBA students have the opportunity to run
cent of its students are members of The Church of
their own venture capital and private equity fund,
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a sponsor of the
in association with industry partners.
university, whose principles are central to academic
To bring the best out in its students, there is
and student life. Students and faculty members
a strong mentoring system in place at BYU, which
alike adhere to an honour code, to maintain the
means that undergraduates conduct research with university’s high behavioural standards. faculty members and regularly present at national
“This creates an environment that provides
conferences alongside graduate students.
an academic experience that is spiritually
“Our faculty is committed to both high-quality
strengthening, intellectually enlarging and
teaching and research,” says Brent Webb, BYU’s
character building, leading to lifelong learning
Academic Vice President. “What distinguishes
and service,” says Brent.
BYU is the students’ research experience, in which
It’s an ethos that extends far beyond the
they are able to work closely alongside faculty
campus walls, the “Y” on the mountain and
members in the lab.” This integrated approach is
the confines of academia, to produce students
one of the major reasons why so many of BYU’s
capable of making a real difference in the world.
CHAPTER 4.2 | HIGHER EDUCATION GLOBAL
179
Delivering a global learning experience by Branching out Curtin University Sarawak Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia | www.curtin.edu.my
“Our objective has always been to establish a world-class campus with first-class teaching” 180
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
as Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (or Curtin
strong links with businesses and government
Sarawak). “At that time, Sarawak needed to go
to generate opportunities for students.
beyond its traditional industries, which were
In 2014, Curtin Sarawak celebrated its
heavily reliant on natural resources,” says Professor
15th anniversary. “Our objective has always
Jim Mienczakowski, Curtin Sarawak’s Pro Vice-
been to establish a world-class campus
Chancellor and Chief Executive. “Moving into hi-
with first-class teaching,” says Professor
tech was the logical next step to take, and having
Mienczakowski. “Our goals are to produce
a renowned university like Curtin in Sarawak
excellent graduates who will contribute to
would help this drive tremendously.”
the growth and development of the region; to carry out effective research focusing on
Global focus
regional challenges and opportunities; to
Currently, Curtin Sarawak has just over 3,500
become a major contributor to the economic
students from more than 40 countries—and its
and social development of Malaysia; and
highly qualified academic staff, from some 15
to be the university of choice in Sarawak.”
countries, further strengthen its international
Helping Malaysia’s development is a key
outlook. It offers a wide range of undergraduate
priority. The university’s largest research project
and postgraduate courses in business, commerce,
to date, the Curtin Sarawak Rural Development
arts, engineering, science and technology.
Plan, aims to provide electricity for remote
In addition, pre-university level courses are
communities in the Lawas and Baram regions
available, which feed directly into undergraduate
of Sarawak, as well as founding initiatives that
programmes. All programmes are run using the
actively engage with local communities.
same structure and study materials as Curtin’s Up until the late 1990s, many Malaysian students
main campus in Perth, thereby enabling students
EXPANSION plans
travelled abroad to complete their university
to transfer easily between the two campuses.
Anticipating significant growth in student numbers,
studies. In a bid to reverse this trend, the Malaysian
“We are able to attract high-calibre
the university has embarked on an expansion plan.
Government embarked on an initiative to make
academics, most of whom have real industry
This includes the Miri BioValley Park, a technology
Malaysia an educational hub. A key factor in its
experience as well as PhDs,” says Professor
park being developed with the Sarawak Ministry
strategic plan was to invite renowned universities
Mienczakowski. “Many have won awards for
of Industrial Development using government
to establish branch campuses in the country.
teaching excellence and research. They keep
and university funding. This will allow for more
A good proportion of those students seeking
up with the latest developments in their fields
collaboration with Curtin University in Australia,
further education abroad chose Curtin University
and integrate the newest advancements in
with government and industry in Malaysia, and
in Perth, Western Australia. Based on Curtin’s
educational technology into their classes.”
with other global educational institutions.
reputation for excellence, the Sarawak State
Courses have practical applications and
“Put simply,” says Professor Mienczakowski,
Government in East Malaysia invited Curtin to
are designed to help solve real-world challenges.
“Curtin Sarawak offers a quality Australian
establish a branch campus in Miri—Sarawak’s
They are also highly industry-focused, and
education and an international learning
most cosmopolitan city—which was to be known
Curtin Sarawak takes full advantage of its
experience in a unique Malaysian setting.”
CHAPTER 4.2 | HIGHER EDUCATION GLOBAL
181
The innovation hub Where new ideas know no bounds ESAN Graduate School of Business Lima, Peru | www.esan.edu.pe
Whether it is developing designs for top fashion
Firstly, most postgraduates at ESAN set up their
houses or recreating discontinued mining tools, the
own businesses, so it provides a place to incubate
ideas lab at ESAN Graduate School of Business in
ideas and turn them into reality. Successes include
Peru can invent “almost anything”. This innovation
an award-winning mobile app called Vanssap,
hub, known as the Fab Lab (an abbreviation of
which helps people locate public transport routes.
“fabrication laboratory”) allows students and
The business focus also extends to the wider
businesses to come together with a single aim:
community, with undergraduates helping people
to transform industry. It is where artisans,
go it alone in business. And finally, the centre
students, professors and researchers collaborate
enables students to support their own parents;
on groundbreaking projects.
half have families running start-ups. “There’s a big
Bringing ideas to life in the Fab Lab is made
focus in Peru on starting your own business,” says
possible through hi-tech tools such as specialist
Nancy. “It’s part of the mindset, and we help people
scanners and software. Recent innovations include
to make that possible through solid training.”
a new loom for textile weaving. It used to take three weeks to create fabric; now it takes just four
Business and beyond
days. The loom has been used to rework designs
With former prime ministers and ministers among
for the traditional Peruvian scarf, the bufanda.
its alumni, ESAN was the first institution in the Spanish-speaking world to specialise in business
182
Solving problems
education for graduate students. The focus is firmly
ESAN’s Fab Lab is part of a global network of
international, with professors from centres of
more than 150 similar centres started by the
expertise around the world, including the London
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center
School of Economics, and students from as far
for Bits and Atoms. Even mining companies
afield as Japan, New Zealand and France.
can benefit from the problem-solving skills of
There are currently around 10,000 students
ESAN’s gifted students. Where specialist suppliers
in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes,
might fail to help, these young entrepreneurs
including those that are taught fully or partially
can recreate discontinued or damaged parts for
in English. Since 2008, ESAN has also offered
mining equipment by scanning the outdated
careers in consumer psychology, law and industrial
piece and creating a brand new one.
engineering. The aim now is to expand to a bigger
“Throughout its 50-year history, the school
campus outside Lima that can accommodate the
has always been about creating new programmes
school’s growing activities.
and improving the old ones,” says Nancy Matos,
The success of the Fab Lab demonstrates
the school’s Vice President. “We now have people
that “almost anything” can indeed be created,
knocking on our door with problems, and we
and that everything is possible when those with
have the expertise and technology to help them.”
the brightest minds work together. Says Nancy:
ESAN’s Center of Entrepreneurship also leads
“Our aim has always been to bring together the
the way in innovation by helping create companies
most outstanding individuals to lead the changes
ready to take advantage of a globalised world.
that our society needs to create an environment
Established in 2003, it operates in three ways.
of welfare, equity and peace.”
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
“ There’s a big focus in Peru on starting your own business. It’s part of the mindset, and we help to make that possible”
CHAPTER 4.2 | HIGHER EDUCATION GLOBAL
183
The farsighted law school helping future leaders view the bigger picture Faculty of Law, Université de Montréal Montréal, Canada | www.droit.umontreal.ca
Welcoming and diverse, Montréal ranks as
firms, businesses and governments around the
one of the top 10 university cities in the world.
world,” says Dr Lefebvre. “We train our students
Université de Montréal (UdeM) is one of four
to become agents of change and consider not just
universities in the city and attracts more than
what is right in terms of the law but also moral
55,000 students annually—5,000 of them from
and ethical issues.”
abroad—to its 13 faculties. The university’s law
“We train students to consider not just what’s right legally but also morally and ethically”
184
school is Canada’s largest with 1,400 students
International perspective
and 55 professors, and around half of its 500
Sixty per cent of the students on the master’s
postgraduate students come from overseas.
programme come from China, with the remainder
By studying law at UdeM, postgraduates have
mostly coming from South America, Cambodia,
a unique opportunity to compare different legal
France, Italy and the USA. Indeed, in response to
systems in a bilingual city. With courses designed
growing demand from the Far East, the faculty has
specifically for overseas students, the Faculty of
built partnerships with several Chinese universities.
Law provides a stepping stone into rewarding
These working relationships began 15 years ago
careers in law, business and governance.
with a project to train senior judges. For the past decade the faculty has also been running a three-
Two legal traditions
week summer programme. Chinese students come
“Montréal is a very cosmopolitan city and we
to Montréal and Canadian students visit China:
want to reflect this in our law school,” says Dr Guy
the exchange of ideas benefits all involved.
Lefebvre, Dean of the Faculty of Law. “From a legal
“Our students are able to look at a problem
point of view, Québec has a mixed jurisdiction.
from the Chinese and the Western point of view,”
This means we use both of the world’s two main
says Dr Lefebvre. “Their understanding of both
legal systems—civil and common law—giving
cultures and ways of doing business makes them
our students a fascinating basis for comparison.”
an asset to their country and is a great advantage
Aimed at foreign students, the master’s degree
to them in the global jobs market.”
in Business Law In A Global Context provides a
As a result, the school’s students are pursuing
comprehensive legal education for those who want
diverse careers, working in big law firms and major
to work at an international level. The course runs
corporations, or as legal advisers to governments.
full time for 12 months, and is taught exclusively
One graduate is legal counsel to the Shanghai
in English. Optional French lessons give students
Stock Exchange, another is a criminal prosecutor in
the opportunity to learn another language.
China. Some students start their own businesses,
The faculty uses a participative teaching style
while others choose to pursue further studies or
and a problem-solving approach, helping students
legal careers in Canada.
to develop the skills they need to work effectively
Building on its success, the faculty is
in different job markets. As well as those with a
developing a PhD programme with partner
degree in law, the faculty attracts students from
universities in China and Latin America. It is well
business, medical and engineering backgrounds.
placed to act as a bridge between these different
“One of the goals of the law school at a
cultures, influencing a new generation of leaders
graduate level is to develop future leaders in law
in business, law and research.
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
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185
The New school of thought that is taking on education’s old guard Faculty of Management, University of Johannesburg Johannesburg, South Africa | www.uj.ac.za/en/faculties/management
Daneel van Lill, Dean of the University’s Faculty of
straightforward business case.” The results speak
Management. “So, two years ago, we established
for themselves. The faculty now boasts an annual
several investments that work towards our aim
total of 2,300 graduates with an 89 per cent
of achieving global excellence and stature by
undergraduate employability rating.
2025, and we’re already elbowing our way to
When UJ and the Faculty of Management
the top. The long-established universities are
decided to boost their own international
taking notice.”
reputation recently, they applied these very
UJ’s Faculty of Management is now one
disciplines. Having first assessed their own
of the largest and most in-demand of its kind in
business intelligence, Professor van Lill says:
the country, with its undergraduate intake up 45
“We spent a lot of time looking internally at
per cent in just five years and one place per eight
who we wanted to be, then externally at
applicants. As a result, it now has around 8,400
learning what great universities do globally.”
undergraduates, 5,000 students in continuing
They then considered the sectors, services,
education (part-time and online) and another
logistics and people needed to achieve their
1,000 undertaking postgraduate courses, mostly
goal of attracting the best students to study
in senior and executive management.
at their “Pan-African epicentre of intellectual
Substantial investment in UJ’s facilities,
inquiry and change”.
increased research output, and the hiring of top lecturers and professors are partly responsible
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
South Africa’s top-tier universities received a reality
for this upturn. As is the university’s growing
Establishing good international networks has
check recently. Most are more than a century
reputation as a young, innovative, ambitious and
been key to meeting this aim. Working with
old and have long been considered the country’s
accessible place for “a new generation of South
international students is one essential part of
undisputed kings of higher education. But things
Africans looking to build a better South Africa”,
this, as is linking up with other top universities
are changing, and the University of Johannesburg
as Professor van Lill puts it.
worldwide for semesters, online programmes
(UJ), boosted by its Faculty of Management, is at
and one-off projects.
the forefront of this evolution.
Applied expertise
“If you associate yourself with wise people, it
Established in 2005 after the merger of three
Another appealing factor is the Faculty of
provides long-term benefits,” says Professor van Lill.
separate universities, UJ is currently the youngest
Management’s applied approach to teaching
“Equally, for anyone scholarly, what’s happening in
of South Africa’s top 10 tertiary education providers
the “science of management”. With a mission
South Africa and the African continent is absolutely
—and is climbing steadily upwards. Add to this
to develop critical thinkers of the future, its
fascinating. We’re showing people a different side
its inclusion in the QS World University Rankings
programmes function in five key areas: consumer
of life and business here.”
survey in 2013/14, placing it in the top 4 per cent
intelligence and information systems; transport
Older, more traditional universities will likely
of universities globally, and its aspirations are clear.
and logistics; as well as private sector, public
always hold their appeal for some. But, for those
“Eight years ago, we were stuck in the lower
sector and people management and leadership.
seeking out leading-edge thinking that can have
end of South Africa’s middle-tier universities
“Each is a value chain in itself,” says Professor
a real input, UJ’s Faculty of Management shows
and wanted to move forward,” says Professor
van Lill, “but together they form the basis for any
that being the youngest isn’t such a bad thing.
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A healthy, and highly memorable, attitude To Education Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta Alberta, Canada | www.med.ualberta.ca
“There is a really strong relationship between the faculty and the students, and an incredible amount of student engagement”
188
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
Acting Like Doctors
with accompanying ukulele, that describes the
Irfan is not only studying medicine, but also
treatment of a throat infection. “The students
working towards gaining his teaching licence
love it,” she enthuses. “After I performed the
in acting—a move that is fully supported by the
poem, 99 per cent of them got the facts correct
faculty. Indeed, there are strong links between
in their exams.”
the arts, the humanities and medicine at the University of Alberta, as Irfan exemplifies.
Engaging with students
It’s a connection that isn’t limited to simply
While Sarah’s teaching methods may sound
appreciating music, theatre and film, but that
unusual, they have proved highly effective, and
extends to such optional modules as Acting Like
she now advises her colleagues on new ways to
Doctors. Developed by one of the university’s
engage with students. “Ultimately, I want to help
medical students, it uses performance theatre
patients, but it’s also about how fun medicine can
to help students better understand the patient
be,” she says. “There is so much information to
experience and establish better methods of care.
retain that I try to provide a memory hook in each
Narrative Reflective Practice is another
lesson to help the students remember everything.”
element of the course that makes good use of
However, it remains the students’
unusual media, screening films to help students
responsibility to illustrate that they have digested
consider the impact of treatment on patients.
the lesson at the end of each session. To this
“It’s very well received by students and gives us
end, they are asked to “retell” what they have
a different lens to look at our training and remind
learnt in their own fashion. Sarah recounts
us why we are here,” says Irfan. Students at
an example when a student used a classic
the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry also have
detective movie narrative to describe the death
Students at the University of Alberta in Canada
the option to add a highly respected research
of a specific bacterium. As she explains: “I just
can expect the unexpected. From professors
component to their learning, known as STIR, or
want to inspire people.”
performing pop songs to theatre and film being
Special Training In Research. It’s a programme that
The University of Alberta is considered one of
used as teaching tools by the Faculty of Medicine
recognises and confirms the university’s influential
the world’s leading public research and teaching
& Dentistry, it’s an institution renowned for the
standing and reputation as a research institution.
universities, with more than 39,000 students from
quality of its at-times unconventional teaching
Sarah Forgie, Associate Professor of Pediatrics
across Canada and more than 5,000 from 144 other
and research.
at the university, isn’t afraid to shake things up
countries. Around 400 graduate and undergraduate
Irfan Kherani, former President of the
in the lecture hall. “I felt so privileged to attend
programmes are taught across the university’s 18
University of Alberta Medical Students’ Association,
medical school, but sometimes I did find it a little
faculties. Such is the quality of its teaching that the
describes the teaching as “phenomenal”. “There is
bit boring,” she admits. “I asked myself why the
university has been awarded the highest number
a really strong relationship between the faculty and
teaching of medicine couldn’t be as exciting as
of 3M National Teaching Fellowships (Canada’s
students,” he says, “and an incredible amount of
the practice, so I developed my own lecture style,
top honour for teaching excellence) in the country.
student engagement.” It’s a dynamic that translates
which I call ‘medutainment’.”
It’s a place where, as Irfan observes, “students take
into results, with the students of Alberta’s first
Sarah’s teaching repertoire includes a beatnik
ownership of their education”, and where the
medical school achieving the top national marks
poem set to jazz that describes abdominal
traditional boundaries between the arts and
in their medical licensing exams.
infection, and an adaptation of a pop song,
science are refreshingly blurred.
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The smart investment that yields far-reaching business results FIA Business School São Paulo, Brazil | WWW.FIA.COM.BR/INTERNATIONALMBA
For a senior executive, sacrificing valuable time
role. “This course takes full advantage of the school’s
and energy to do an MBA course is not a decision
international connections,” says James. “We operate
to be taken lightly. The benefits, however, can be
study trips to America, Lyon and Cambridge, during
significant, as the roll call of business leaders
which around 80 per cent of the time is dedicated
among the alumni of FIA (Fundação Instituto de
to classes and talks by expert lecturers. We also take
Administração) Business School goes to show.
our executive students to China and India to expose
The high-flying graduates of this São Paulo-based
them to the experiences of emerging markets.”
institution include the likes of Frederico Curado,
MBA students at FIA undertake internships
the Chief Executive of Brazil’s leading aircraft
as part of their courses, including on its newest, the
manufacturer Embraer. It is also the only business
Americas MBA. “Companies in Brazil work closely
school in Brazil to offer a full-time, English-language with us to offer our graduates varied business
“We have one of the best executive networks in Brazil and beyond”
international MBA—a globally respected course
experience,” says James. The potential to network
that has been ranked among the Financial Times’s
with professional peers, both as interns and during
top 100 executive MBAs worldwide.
courses, is a key attraction. “We have one of the best executive networks in Brazil and beyond,” says
Centre of excellence
James, “which gives our students the chance to
FIA was established in 1980 by the faculty of
connect at a senior international level.”
business administration at the University of São Paulo, and in 1992 was tasked with the mission
Undergrad provision
of pioneering executive MBAs in Brazil in the face
In addition to its exceptional MBA provision, FIA’s
of great international competition. It additionally
first batch of bachelor degree students graduated in
functions as a think tank and research centre,
2014. Undergraduates benefit from the educational
working on various business-related and public
expertise of the school’s professors and its links
projects. For instance, FIA has conducted research
with Brazilian business. They also have the chance
for the Brazilian government into the country’s fuel
to work as interns as part of their studies and are
ethanol programme. It has also recently developed
typically expected to work on a real-life consulting
a strategic plan for the city of São Paulo, the
project. “With foreign students,” says James, “we
economic and business hub of Latin America,
help them find opportunities in companies and, if
and forecast critical market trends for companies.
they don’t speak Portuguese, team them up with a
Most of its courses are taught in Portuguese,
Brazilian partner and provide the relevant support.”
but the school maintains strong international ties
In 2010, FIA was named the most innovative
and exchanges with partner universities including
business school in South America by European CEO
EMLYON in France, Simon Fraser University in
Magazine. Its groundbreaking research (into shifts
Canada, ITAM in Mexico and Vanderbilt in the USA.
in “bottom of the pyramid” consumer markets, for
“We’ve always had a reputation as an international
instance) is characteristic of how FIA constantly
institution,” says James Wright, FIA’s Associate Dean. keeps its courses fresh and insightful. Indeed, its The business school’s most prestigious course
MBA and undergraduate programmes are not only
is its international executive MBA, offered to senior
practical and relevant, but also far-reaching in their
executives with extensive experience in a leadership scope, as befits a truly international business school.
190
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The university leading a sea change in attitudes towards access Florida Atlantic University Florida, USA | www.fau.edu
and financial support to all students, especially those from underrepresented groups.” Offered by FAU, the National Science Foundation’s undergraduate research and mentoring programme actively encourages applications from such groups. It is just one example of a university-wide initiative to embed undergraduate research in every discipline and across the curriculum. To this end, the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry is tasked with promoting and supporting research, and providing assistance with grants and the publication of work in peer-reviewed journals. FAU focuses on three strategic themes: marine and coastal studies; contemporary and societal issues; and biotechnology. Home to around three quarters of the university’s 31,000 students is the largest of its six campuses, Boca Raton. There are also sites in Fort Lauderdale, Davie and Jupiter—the latter of which houses
“We provide considerable academic and financial support to all students”
192
“Florida Atlantic University is the most diverse
two internationally renowned private biomedical
institution in the state’s higher-education system,”
facilities, the Max Planck Florida Institute for
says its Provost, Dr Gary Perry. Serving counties
Neuroscience and Scripps Research Institute,
in South Florida and along the state’s Treasure
and is the hub of the university’s neuroscience
Coast, the university, otherwise known as FAU,
and biotechnology programmes.
has a dual mission: to balance access and inclusion with excellence in teaching and research.
MARITIME RESEARCH
Since 2013, more than 50 per cent of the student
The stretch of South Florida on which the
intake has come from minority groups, a statistic
university lies is particularly suited to the study
of which the university is extremely proud.
of coastal ecosystems, and FAU’s Dania Beach
“We are committed to championing both
campus hosts the Southeast National Marine
access and achievement,” says Dr Perry. “FAU is
Renewable Energy Center. Together with industry
one of only three public research institutions
partners it investigates ways in which the ocean’s
in the USA with more than 17 per cent black
vast energy potential can be harnessed, and
students and more than 17 per cent Hispanic
in August 2010 the US Department of Energy
students. We provide considerable academic
designated the facility a national centre for ocean
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
energy research and development. Two major projects are currently under way at the centre: an experimental ocean-current turbine (which uses the Gulf Stream to generate energy); and an intelligent monitoring system for the optimisation and maintenance of ocean-current turbines. At the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute—a world-class facility that became part of the university in 2007—marine scientists, engineers and educators engage in the full breadth of ocean research, from ocean engineering to coastal studies and marine mammal research. Engaging with society The university’s focus on contemporary and societal issues has resulted in projects such as the Healthy Aging Research Initiative, funded by the US National Institutes of Health. FAU’s Lifelong Learning Society is one of the largest programmes of its kind in the USA, offering 20,000 enrolled community members—primarily drawn from Florida’s large community of older and retired people—the chance to attend lectures by FAU staff and visiting professors. The university’s inclusive ethos extends to preparing students for life beyond university. As Dr Perry explains: “We provide leadership opportunities for our student body through a wide variety of clubs and organisations that are specifically designed to promote the importance of diversity, as well as to address the various academic, social, professional and living needs of underrepresented populations.” It’s an approach that will hopefully make the levels of diversity that FAU boasts the norm, rather than the exception, in years to come.
CHAPTER 4.2 | HIGHER EDUCATION GLOBAL
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The research institute that offers the biomedical industry a clinical edge Institute of Medical Biology Singapore | www.a-star.edu.sg/imb
“Our postdocs come to us on a three-year contract. This is often renewed, so many opt to stay with us for around six years”
194
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
biology, stem cells and genetic disorders, and
renewed, so many opt to stay with us for around
covering the full spectrum from discovery research
six years. In a large lab, there is always the need for
to translational medicine. As a competitive and
staff scientists to work alongside team leaders, so
innovative organisation, IMB recruits outstanding
some postdocs find a long-term place at IMB in that
PhD and postdoctoral scientists to advance the ties
capacity.” Professor Lane adds: “We are always on
between pure science and its clinical use. “We have
the look-out for talent; a top postdoc scientist might
20 research teams here, overseen by principal
well be selected for a junior group leader position.”
investigators,” says Dr Vandana Ramachandran, Administrative Manager. “Most of them are
Career development
internationally well-known scientists, which
While at IMB, PhD and postdoctoral scientists
means that our PhDs and postdocs get a chance
benefit from an in-depth career mentoring and
to collaborate and network at the highest level.”
monitoring programme, which helps guide them to the next step in the fiercely competitive scientific
Clinical connections
research community, to realise their full potential
Of the student body itself, 68 per cent are from
and to present the opportunities available to them
overseas, mainly Europe, North and South America
in various scientific fields. Postdoc and PhD students
and Australia, with many drawn to IMB because
are also invited to give presentations, so that their
of its close clinical connections. IMB has clinician
individual strengths and weaknesses are established.
scientists working within the institute, either
“Every three months, the career development
heading up research groups or studying for PhDs.
committee, made up of principal investigators,
“Having clinicians and scientists working together
meets to discuss the progress of postdocs,” says
in the labs means that both are able to support
Dr Ramachandran. The committee can also connect
and learn from each other,” says Professor Birgit
scientists who choose to not pursue an academic
Lane, IMB’s Executive Director.
career with companies that have research and
The A*STAR scholarship schemes exist
development departments. Many multinationals are
to strengthen international ties with leading
based close to the IMB complex, and the institute
overseas institutions and offer a variety of study
has built close links with them over the years.
options to students. These include the A*STAR
The pool of international research talent based
Research Attachment Programme, allowing
at IMB is not only nurturing an innovative and
foreign students the chance to spend two years
productive biomedical industry in Singapore, but
Scientific research cannot exist in a bubble if it is
of their PhD in Singapore; the SINGA scheme
also playing a significant part in global efforts to
to have a practical application. With this in mind,
(Singapore International Graduate Programme),
combat disease and illness. IMB scientists experience
Singapore’s Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) works
which hosts students who want to study in
first-hand the efficient and pioneering exchange of
alongside clinicians and fosters long-term links with Singapore; and the A*STAR overseas graduate
ideas between researchers and clinicians. “We now
major multinational companies in order to bridge
scholarships, which enables Singaporean
have one junior principal investigator who trained
the gap between science and clinical medicine.
students to split their training between
here under a senior professor, so they have come full
Part of A*STAR—the country’s Agency for
Singapore and another country.
circle and will help to teach the next generation of
Science, Technology and Research—IMB opened
“Our postdocs come to us on a three-year
scientists,” says Dr Ramachandran. “That is hugely
in 2007, focusing on world-class research in skin
contract,” says Dr Ramachandran. “This is often
rewarding for us all.”
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The high achieving institute that’s honing A nation’s competitive edge Instituto Politécnico Nacional Mexico City, Mexico | www.ipn.mx
With a roster of alumni that boasts a past president
assisting economically disadvantaged students.
of Mexico and various secretaries of state, the
Indeed, many of its students are from high-risk
Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) in Mexico City
social environments. “There is a good proportion
has a significant role to play in the prospects of
of students that are the first generation to have
its home country. Since its inception in 1936, the
reached higher education,” says Dr Yoloxochitl
mission of IPN has always been to be a driving
Bustamante Diez, General Director. “When they
force behind the economic, social and political
graduate, they become part of the social and
development of its nation. It remains true to
economic fabric of the country. They better
that mission today.
their condition of life and that of the country
The institute’s various academic units
as a whole.”
provide technical and vocational secondary school,
“When we teach our students in their respective fields, this goes hand in hand with a mentality of transforming the country”
196
undergraduate and postgraduate education, and
BUSINESS focus
over the past few years, students from IPN have
Boosting the economic future of Mexico is a key
entered a variety of competitions and come away
driver behind much of the institute’s research
winners. For instance, its students won a clutch
focus and its teaching. In particular, IPN students
of awards at RobotChallenge 2014 in Vienna,
are introduced to the idea of entrepreneurship.
Austria—one of the biggest events within the
“We think that students should know how to run
international field of robotics.
a business,” says Dr Bustamante. “When we teach our students in their respective fields, this teaching
High achievers
goes hand in hand with a mentality of transforming
The previous year, across the other side of the world
the country. If they become employers, they will
in Seoul, South Korea, students from IPN took home
generate jobs, goods and services that help the
an award at SuperSkyScrapers, an architectural
country as a whole.
competition seeking to stimulate ideas about high-
“The work that we do around entrepreneurship
rise environments. That same year, a student from
and business incubation is something that sets
IPN was chosen—after an exhaustive selection
us apart,” adds Dr Bustamante. In addition, IPN
process involving more than 300 students—to
is increasingly looking at gender equality and
participate in the Mexican Students in Germany
how to increase the opportunities for the
programme with the car manufacturer Volkswagen.
participation of women in senior administrative
These successes reflect the broad range of
and managerial functions.
academic courses offered at IPN, which is the most
Mexico endures a high degree of social and
important technological higher education centre in
economic disparity to this day, a fact that makes
Mexico. It’s also one of Mexico’s largest educational
the university’s work as relevant and vital as ever.
institutions, with more than 153,000 students, and
“Our students have a competitive edge,” says
its Center of Research and Advanced Studies is the
Dr Bustamante. “By choosing to study here, they
second-largest producer of research in Mexico.
have made one of the best decisions of their life;
IPN offers a wide variety of educational
one that will impact indefinitely and favourably on
opportunities and has a particular emphasis on
their professional future, and that of the country.”
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
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The development strategy that’s yielding an abundance of research results Naresuan University Phitsanulok, Thailand | www.nu.ac.th
Research, innovation and internationalisation
basis, primarily to students in Cambodia, Laos,
that assesses an individual’s risk of contracting
are the cornerstones of Naresuan University’s
Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Alzheimer’s via blood-vessel testing and a food
strategy to become a beacon of learning in
The city of Phitsanulok is situated midway
supplement that enhances memory. In addition,
Thailand. The university set itself the target of
between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and as such has
researchers at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical
becoming one of Thailand’s top 10 universities
good connections to China, Myanmar, Vietnam and
Sciences have found that water hyssop—a plant
by 2017 and is well ahead of schedule, having hit
Malaysia. In addition, NU’s international strategy
common to Ayurvedic medicine—has promising
the number nine spot in January 2014 according
has done nothing to harm diplomatic relations,
effects on memory enhancement in the elderly.
to Webometrics.
with the university having awarded honorary
The high level of research-based innovation
“Right now, we are transforming our campus
doctorates to leaders across the region, including
at NU is impressive. Combined with the university’s
into a research university,” says Vice President
the King of Bhutan and the President of Myanmar.
ever-expanding international ties, this is one Thai
for International Affairs Dr Manupat Lohitnavy.
institution that looks set to have a major impact
“Our strategy in meeting this goal has been
Fertile minds
on the ASEAN region and, indeed, the world—well
to establish around 20 centres of excellence
Set in one of Thailand’s most fertile terrains—
ahead of schedule.
in research on the campus, based on our own
Phitsanulok is one of only a handful of places
areas of expertise.”
on earth where rice can be grown three times
Located in the ancient northern city of
a year—NU’s environs have inspired creative
Phitsanulok, Naresuan University (NU) celebrates
research at the university. Its School of Renewable
its 25th birthday in 2015. It’s a government-
Energy Technology, for instance, has developed a
funded institution with 16 faculties and five
solar-powered industrial-grade drying machine for
colleges, a student body of around 25,000 and
bananas, as well as investigating ways of turning
some 1,400 faculty members. It also employs
Thailand’s annual waste product of 12,500 tons
a further 3,000 supporting staff.
of banana-peel into biomass fuel. The university’s research into bioactive
International outlook
compounds in rice bran oil (a by-product of the
The university’s overall strategy has been to adopt
milling industry) has found that they can reduce
innovation and a global perspective as core values.
free radicals and cholesterol, and lower the risk of
“One of our strategic policies,” says Dr Lohitnavy,
cancer and cardiovascular disease. And researchers
“is to use internationalisation as a tool to assist our
from NU’s Department of Agricultural Science have
transformation into a research-based institution.”
resolved problems associated with the chemical
NU is actively seeking to increase its
analysis of oils by developing a method that is
international student population to as much as
fast, non-destructive and chemical-free.
10 per cent of the total student body. Its current
It’s little wonder, then, that NU’s reputation
international population of 200 includes around
continues to grow. In 2014, five of its researchers
50 Bhutanese students, most of whom are
received awards at the 42nd International
studying medicine, nursing and pharmacology
Exhibition of Inventions, Geneva, for projects
at undergraduate level. The university also awards
as diverse as an anti-ageing cosmetic product
around 30 President’s Scholarships on an annual
that uses micro-sized tea particles, a device
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
“ We’ve established around 20 centres of excellence in research on the campus, based on our own areas of expertise”
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Fostering a community-minded spirit of personal development and intelligent debate Reed College Portland, Oregon, USA | www.reed.edu
values and focus on the community—the US liberal arts college offers its students a broad education across the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences before they specialise in one of more than 40 majors. Unusually, however, all Reed students also get to complete a year-long research-based senior thesis, which gives those who intend to go on to postgraduate studies a significant grounding. “Gaining research experience as the culmination of their broader undergraduate education fully prepares students for independent research in academia and business,” says Professor Nicholson. “And that’s pretty rare.” As a result, graduate schools around the USA recognise Reed’s bachelor of arts as excellent preparation for graduate work, and a large number of the college’s students continue to doctoral studies. Many also go on to work in education, medicine, finance, industry, IT, law and the arts.
“Intellectual life here has a Genuinely positive tone, where students are, above all, thinking about self-improvement”
200
Individual learning “When outsiders come to Reed College, it’s very
To encourage its students to take responsibility for
exciting for them to see the extent to which
their own learning, Reed places greater emphasis
conversations that start in class continue beyond
on seminars than on lectures. “We don’t see the
the classroom,” says Professor Nigel Nicholson,
teaching process as a passing on of information
Walter Mintz Professor of Classics and Dean
from a master to an apprentice but rather as
of the Faculty. “It’s not just with people from
a communal interrogation of materials,” says
their classes—they’ll involve people from their
Professor Nicholson, “so students are expected
dorms or those they meet in the dining hall.
to bring an active intelligence to their work.”
The conversation continues and gets richer and
To underpin this approach and foster the
deeper before it’s revisited in the next class.”
development of close intellectual relationships
This stimulating environment epitomises
between students and faculty members, the
Reed’s approach. Based in Portland, Oregon—
average class size at Reed is 15 and the student-
a fashionable city renowned for its progressive
to-teacher ratio is nine to one. And with a culture
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
that values in-depth feedback, commentary and discussion, students are encouraged to take a long view of their learning and development, rather than simply focusing on getting a good grade. “Our philosophy endows the intellectual life here with a genuinely positive tone, where students are, above all, thinking about self-improvement,” says Professor Nicholson. “And we have the faculty to support this: we don’t employ any teaching assistants as almost all classes are taught by fulltime faculty members—who are therefore able to invest deeply in their students’ development.” Principled approach This excellent learning environment prompted the 2015 Princeton Review to name Reed as the number one college in the USA in its “Professors Get High Marks” category and number three for “Best Classroom Experience”. Perhaps the foremost expression of Reed’s ethos and spirit, however, can be found in its “Honor Principle”—a part of college life since Reed was founded in 1911. All students are expected to live according to this principle, which, as Professor Nicholson puts it, “is about living honourably as part of a community, here and in the wider world”. “The Honor Principle focuses on the boundaries between individual freedom and community responsibility,” he says, “so it’s a wonderful tool to teach students how to live life with other people.” For Reed students, this kind of positive interaction tends to continue— not just outside the classroom, but also well beyond their time at Reed College.
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Meeting society’s modern needs with innovative, workable solutions Tshwane University of Technology Pretoria, South Africa | www.tut.ac.za
“Work-integrated learning is well developed and differentiates us from traditional universities”
202
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
and its neighbouring townships of Soshanguve
Open Repository. Most notably, TUT was awarded
and Ga-Rankuwa, and further afield in Mbombela,
nine research chairs, including six from the South
eMalahleni and Polokwane. These sites are home to
African Research Chairs Initiative.
the faculties of Economics and Finance; Engineering
“The NRF awarded 60 new research chairs to
and the Built Environment; Humanities; ICT;
higher education institutions,” says Dr Mukhola.
Management Sciences; Science; and the Arts.
“The fact that we received six—making us the recipient with the second highest number
Career focus
of research chairs—bears testimony to the
The university offers a range of diplomas and
excellence that characterises our institution.”
degree courses, all of which aim to provide the
One of these coveted chairs was in acid mine
South African market with a career-focused
drainage treatment; another was in water quality
workforce. Seventy per cent of these qualifications
and waste water management. These underline
are offered at postgraduate level. TUT is also home
how TUT is leading the way in water research and
to the French South African Institute of Technology
purification. It is also the only university in South
—a graduate school based both at TUT and Cape
Africa that offers programmes in water science
Peninsula University of Technology—that offers
and technology at all levels, from diploma to
master’s and doctorate degrees in collaboration
doctoral degree.
with academic partners in France. “Work-integrated learning is well developed
Practical benefits
at TUT and differentiates us from traditional
Addressing sustainable transport challenges
universities,” says Dr Stanley Mukhola, Acting
and the scarcity of water aren’t the only ways
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching, Learning
by which TUT is meeting the needs of a modern
and Technology.
South Africa. The Centre for Energy and Electric
The university’s Faculty of Engineering and
Power supplies solar energy while the Faculty
the Built Environment is a hub of innovation.
of Humanities mentors students and teachers
When a South African hospital requires bone
For example, students from its Centre for
at secondary schools in places such as Gauteng,
tissue to help repair damaged bones, one of the
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Institute
Limpopo and Mpumalange. Such was the success
first places it turns to is the Tshwane University
for Advanced Tooling and Technology Station in
of this scheme at improving Grade 12 exam pass
of Technology (TUT). In fact, the university’s Centre
Electronics partnered with Hydrogen South Africa
rates that it was extended to several other schools
for Tissue Engineering supplies bone allografts to
to develop the hydrogen bike A Hi-Fambeni (which
in the Eastern Cape.
more than 50 per cent of the country’s government
translates as “let’s go”). Working with a designer
TUT fosters a culture of innovation across
hospitals. It’s just one way in which TUT, which
from Ducati, students used fuel-cell technology to
a host of academic areas. Each of its projects is
celebrated its 10th birthday in 2014, is attuned to
develop this green form of transport and are now
characterised by an entrepreneurial focus and
the needs of South African industry and society.
working on a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered car.
a dedication to research with highly practical
The largest residential higher education
Thanks to its 48 National Research Foundation
applications. As a result, the work carried out at
institution in South Africa, TUT enrols 50,000
(NRF)-rated researchers, the university has
the university has a positive impact, not only on
students a year at its seven faculties. These are
doubled its research output in the past six years.
the careers of its students, but on the prosperity
spread across campuses in Tshwane: in Pretoria
It shares this work worldwide through its Digital
of the South African community as a whole.
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In service to academic endeavour and the wider community Universidad Adventista de Chile Chillán, Chile | www.unach.cl
“Our graduates make A major contribution to national development”
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
“We employ teaching innovations to enrich the
The importance of a healthy lifestyle is a
learning experiences of students and to develop
key focus at UnACh. The campus is free of alcohol,
their skills in specific disciplines.”
smoking and unhealthy foods, and the university
Education plays a crucial role in the Adventist
runs continuous programmes to promote healthy
mission and UnACh makes a key contribution to
habits. UnACh participates in regular blood-
research and scholarship in missionary, theological,
donation campaigns and is the leading university
historical and biblical studies, alongside a full range
in the province in terms of pints of blood donated
of academic programmes in the arts and sciences.
by students.
The university’s newest programme, dentistry,
The university demonstrates innovation
opens in 2015 and has been developed with the
across a number of fields including its own
support of Chile’s Universidad de la Frontera and
management systems. The introduction of new
Loma Linda University in the USA.
software for monitoring the quality of processes
The university has a long tradition in teacher
and strategic planning, created by UnACh’s
training. In addition, researchers at UnACh’s
Department of Information Technology in
Educational Technical Assistance Agency have
partnership with Computer Engineering
developed programmes to support the national
students, is one such example.
school system in areas including sexuality and gender, strategies for school coexistence, and
Fresh thinking
management and leadership.
Beyond its own systems, UnACh is conducting
UnACh also offers continuing education
experimental research into sustainable agriculture
programmes in schools management and
and crop mechanics, led by its programmes in
instructional leadership for education graduates
agronomy, business and engineering. These involve
and those who work in senior positions in
studying environmental education, technology
educational institutions. In 2015, it introduces
transfer and the development of rural communities.
a new undergraduate teaching programme
The university is also contributing to cutting-edge
for special education.
research in the field of upper atmosphere physics,
The Universidad Adventista de Chile (UnACh)
in partnership with a research team at the
is part of one of the world’s largest networks
Leading light
University of Concepción.
of church-run educational institutions. One of
The concept of “service leadership” is an
The university’s strong Christian ethos
112 tertiary institutions owned by the Adventist
important aspect of Adventist philosophy and
is reflected in its ties to the wider community.
Church, UnACh started as a small teaching college
UnACh offers a range of cross-curricular and
“More than 80 per cent of our graduates are
in Malleco Province in 1906 and achieved full
extracurricular activities to promote such positive
employed in the region,” says Dr Gonzalez.
university status in 1990. Its Chillán campus is
Christian action, including student-designed
“They make a major contribution to national
home to around 1,830 students and offers 20
social entrepreneurship projects. The university
development.” And, thanks to its expanding
undergraduate and two graduate programmes.
also runs the Adventist Volunteer Service
undergraduate and graduate offering, and its
“As an institution, UnACh seeks to
Programme, which allows volunteers to develop
commitment to new institutional partnerships,
differentiate itself and add value through its
skills while helping vulnerable communities
UnACh’s influence across Chile and the Americas
curriculum,” says Rector Dr Ricardo Gonzalez.
both in Chile and abroad.
looks set to continue to grow.
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A well-respected voice in education’s ongoing global conversation Universidad del Norte Barranquilla, Colombia | www.uninorte.edu.co
“No effort has been spared in promoting dialogues between our university and the international community”
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
For those living on the humid Caribbean coast
often works with global partners on local issues.
of Colombia, one of the principal causes of
In 1998, for instance, the Institute of Water and
respiratory illness is the dust mite. It’s why,
Environmental Studies (IDEHA) was established
some 10 years ago, Universidad del Norte went
at the university. Over the years, the institute has
into partnership with a local pharmaceutical
worked with numerous international partners,
company—the express aim of the collaboration
including the Danish Hydraulic Institute, Royal
being to combat these troublesome mites with
Haskoning, Delft Hydraulics, KBR, Moffatt &
a specially developed insecticide.
Nichol, Demco, the University of the Balearic
The result was the first pharmaceutical
Islands and the Catholic University of Valencia.
product to be created in Colombia from home-
It has also become the main source of information
grown research, which has since been patented
and advice for national decisions on matters
as Acar Klean and marketed across South America.
relating to water.
“This project is an example of a local issue leading us to create an important tool for the prevention
International ties
of health problems,” says Dr Jesús Ferro Bayona,
In 2012, an academic and research relationship
the university’s Principal.
was forged between the university’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design and the Swiss
Highly rated
Federal Institute of Technology at ETH Zürich.
It’s just the kind of breakthrough approach that
Together they have instigated a number of
has helped earn Universidad del Norte a place
projects to address urban issues, such as the
among Colombia’s top 10 universities, according
Culture Factory—an innovative design and
to the QS World University Rankings 2014.
architecture project that was set up to develop
With a student population of around 13,000,
buildings for performance and cultural learning in
the university delivers degree programmes in
Universidad del Norte’s home city of Barranquilla.
architecture, urbanism and design, business,
“Ongoing interaction and dialogue with
education, engineering, health sciences, the
our peers around the world is imperative,” says
humanities, law, politics and international
Dr Ferro Bayona. “In fact, we’re an institution
relations, and music.
that, since its foundation, has maintained an
Further recognition has come recently in
international vision. No effort has been spared
the shape of accreditation by ABET, the US-based
in promoting dialogues between our university
agency, for the university’s engineering and
and the international community.”
engineering technology courses. “This accreditation
It’s a philosophy that has garnered tangible
recognises the quality of our classes and of our
results such as Acar Klean, which is now produced
research teams,” says Dr Ferro Bayona. “It also
and marketed all over South America. “With this
means that we have a foothold as a potential
project comes the promotion of a better quality
new ally to the best universities in the world.”
of life,” says Dr Ferro Bayona, “not only for local
Such international alliances are of great
citizens, but also for thousands of individuals
importance to Universidad del Norte, which
across our continent.”
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Going the distance to ensure that creative thinking is an option for all Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja LOJA, EcUADOR | www.utpl.edu.ec
“We’re creating more research centres, recruiting more full-time teachers and increasing the training of current staff”
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
The university was founded in 1971 with
Samsa y Los Caballeros de la Luz (or “Samsa and
the aim of promoting a broadly Christian
the Knights of Light”), the first video game to
humanist vision. Set at the foot of the Cordillera
be developed in Loja. In the field of electronics
mountain range, its Loja campus offers 25 on-site
and robotics, KRADAC has designed a robotic
academic programmes and 20 distance-learning
prosthesis controlled by myoelectric signals
courses. These span four main study areas:
generated by the muscles of the arm. Called Hand
technical, administrative, biological and social
of Hope, the robotic limb is manufactured at a
sciences. The university’s pioneering distance-
lower cost than conventional prosthetics and is
learning courses extend this reach to other
aimed at improving the quality of life for those
countries in Latin America, as well as international
with limited financial resources.
centres in Rome, Madrid and New York. New ventures Research institution
Other innovators include Ingeniería Verde, which
“We are actively working to become more
produces hardware and software for renewable
research-intensive,” says Dr Ana Alexandra Santos
energy and automation in buildings. And software
Delgado, a member of UTPL’s Innovation Team.
developer LojaSoft Solutions has created
“We are creating more research centres, recruiting
Enterprise, a web-design template aimed at
more full-time teachers and increasing the training
business and professionals. Prendho also houses
of current staff.” To this end, more than 250 of
two entrepreneurs in the food sector: beverage
UTPL’s academics are currently enrolled in master’s
developer Induloja, whose version of the local
and doctoral programmes at 26 universities
drink horchata incorporates more than 20
around the world.
traditional medicinal herbs; and Inaagro, which
In collaboration with Ecuador’s Alliance for
focuses on the production of dairy alternatives
Entrepreneurship and Innovation, UTPL is playing a
made from soya beans.
vital role in Ecuador 20-20—a strategy to promote
Since 2007, UTPL’s Palo Santo Project has
enterprise and create the conditions required for
researched the extraction and marketing of
Ecuador to become an “entrepreneur country”.
essential oils from the palo santo tree, a close
UTPL’s centre for enterprise, Prendho, supports
relative of frankincense that is native to South
Ecuador’s Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja
entrepreneurs from the seed of an idea to its
America. Emphasising conservation and
(UTPL) has a far-reaching public purpose: not just
realisation in the marketplace. “By stimulating,
sustainability, the project benefits 65 families
to provide education and conduct research, but
encouraging and consolidating innovation, Prendho
in Zapotillo—a canton in Loja province—who
to further the country’s developmental goals.
helps to boost companies and enterprises,” says
manage and extract oil from 4,500 hectares
More than 35,000 students from Ecuador’s
Dr Delgado. “It generates knowledge, creativity
of palo santo forest.
24 provinces are engaged in the university’s
and development.”
Through its emphasis on enterprise and social
distance-education programmes, while a further
Most of Prendho’s businesses work in
development—and initiatives such as Prendho
5,000 study at its main campus at Loja. In addition,
technology. For instance, CIDsecure uses “ethical
and the Palo Santo Project—UTPL is working to
UTPL is playing a key role in encouraging and
hacking” to test systems’ vulnerabilities and
ensure that Ecuador’s rapidly developing economy
developing entrepreneurship around the country.
analyse risk, while Atixx has produced
benefits people far and wide at all levels of society.
CHAPTER 4.2 | HIGHER EDUCATION GLOBAL
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The rankings success story that’s making waves around the world Universidade Federal de Lavras Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil | www.ufla.br
“The success we’ve achieved is all built on the sheer quality of the teaching”
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
The rise of Brazil on the world stage is relentless.
These make use of all kinds of technology, from
In the wake of the hugely successful 2014 FIFA
videos of lectures to online tutorials.”
World Cup and with preparations for the 2016
Another key contributing factor to the acclaim
Olympic Games taking shape, global attention
UFLA has received has been the expansion of its
remains focused on South America’s largest and
academic programme. In 2014, the university
most populous country. Meanwhile, a parallel story
introduced a range of new courses, with yet more
is unfolding in education, as Brazil’s universities
being introduced in 2015, including those in
steadily join the ranks of the world’s finest.
medicine, geology and physical engineering.
Among the most dramatic advances has been that of the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA)
Academic partners
in the southern state of Minas Gerais. From its
The university now has around 12,500 students, of
origins as an agricultural college, UFLA is now
whom 2,500 or so are postgraduates. These include
ranked second out of the country’s 226 universities
students from universities all over the world
by the Brazilian Ministry of Education.
who come to study at UFLA under the Science Without Borders scheme. “The programme is the
Quality faculty
very soul of the international and cosmopolitan
“It is deeply gratifying to receive such
atmosphere that now characterises UFLA,” says
acknowledgement,” says Professor José Roberto
Professor Scolforo. “We welcome students from our
Scolforo, the university’s Rector. “The success
partner universities in Europe, Asia and elsewhere
we have achieved is all built on that most
in the Americas.” Under this arrangement, UFLA
fundamental principle that underpins any place
students can travel abroad to study at these partner
of learning—the sheer quality of the teaching.”
universities. The most recent institution to join
The academic backgrounds of UFLA staff
the programme is Purdue University in the US
are formidable, with the university boasting
state of Indiana.
highly qualified professors from all over Brazil,
Additionally, UFLA has expanded its contacts
plus others from elsewhere in Latin America and
in Africa, notably in the Portuguese-speaking
overseas. However, its reputation is based on more
countries of Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, and
than the quality of its faculty alone. “In addition
São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as the Democratic
to our mainstream tuition, we are immensely
Republic of the Congo. In particular, agricultural
proud of the special recognition UFLA has received
professionals travel to UFLA to study new
for the social aspects of its teaching programme,”
techniques in agroecology and the application
says Professor Scolforo.
of computer skills to farming. Returning to their
“These include evening courses, which afford
home countries these UFLA graduates are in
students in employment the chance to earn
turn able to pass their new skills on to others.
qualifications,” he continues. “At the same time,
As Professor Scolforo proudly points out,
we offer long-distance learning classes, allowing
“UFLA is making waves all over the globe, and
students from far and wide to study for degrees.
is increasingly recognised as a force for good.”
CHAPTER 4.2 | HIGHER EDUCATION GLOBAL
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The regional champion making its impact felt on a national and international scale Universidade Tiradentes Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil | www.unit.br
Named after Joaquim José da Silva Xavier—
living in Aracaju where our campus is located,
the 18th-century Brazilian revolutionary, known
but to the population of the interior where social
as Tiradentes, who sought independence from
problems are significant. We are always trying
Portuguese rule—Universidade Tiradentes (UNIT)
to move further in that direction.”
has long been recognised for its commitment to developing the community it serves and broadening COMPLEX COMMUNICATIONS access to education through distance learning.
UNIT’s world-class Social Communication Complex
“The university is undertaking significant
(CCS), which specialises in journalism, advertising,
efforts to develop and to improve innovation in our
public relations and graphic design, is one of Brazil’s
education delivery,” says Professor Matheus Batalha
most comprehensive centres for audio and video
Moreira Nery, UNIT’s Director of International
communication, and a shining example of
Relations. “We are increasing our connections with
innovation at the university. The complex houses
institutions around the world to give our students
laboratories, television and photography studios,
new opportunities but also to develop our processes, radio and audio suites, and dry cutting and editing to ensure that we are providing our students with the very best approaches in education.”
suites, alongside writing and publishing facilities. The high calibre of student output has established CCS as a gateway between students,
Wide-scale learning
graduates and industry professionals. The centre
Established as a college in 1962, UNIT was awarded also provides a social benefit in its archiving of CD university status in 1992. Today it offers more
recordings, commercials and videos. In addition,
than 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees
the complex produces all of UNIT’s national and
and technical courses. The university has a main
international advertising campaigns.
campus in Aracaju, the coastal capital of the
Another of UNIT’s innovation hubs is the
Brazilian state of Sergipe, along with campuses
Institute for Technology and Research (ITP),
in Recife and Maceió. It also supports many of
which focuses on energy, biotechnology and the
its 32,000 students at distance-learning centres
environment. The potential for vegetable oils to
across Brazil’s north east.
be used as alternatives to diesel has long been
The nine states that constitute Brazil’s
recognised and scientists at ITP have investigated
Northeast Region—or Região Nordeste—face
the production of biodiesel from recycled soybean
significant challenges in relation to poverty and
cooking oil—a waste product of the food industry.
social inequality. Deeply committed to supporting
The resulting product is non-toxic, biodegradable
and developing the people of the region, UNIT is
and renewable—a clean, efficient fuel that can
improving and developing its undergraduate and
be sustainably and produced locally.
distance-learning provision in a number of areas.
UNIT’s educators actively prepare students
“We feel it is important to deliver education,”
for life beyond university by developing their skills
says Professor Batalha. “Not just to the people
in leadership, administration, management and
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213
Universidade Tiradentes Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil | www.unit.br
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
communication. For example, a scheme that draws
these agreements allow for student and academic
all of these elements together is The Rondon
mobility, providing enriching experiences.
Project, a social integration initiative coordinated
UNIT participates in a consortium, led by the
by Brazil’s Ministry of Defence.
New University of Lisbon, that aims to strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions
The Rondon Project
in the EU and Latin America through the Fellow-
Dedicated to finding solutions that contribute
Mundus project. Similarly, UNIT participates in
to the sustainable development of underserved
Science Without Borders, a government initiative
communities, The Rondon Project relies entirely
that seeks to develop scientific and technological
on the voluntary work of teachers and students.
innovation through exchanges and international
It broadens horizons while developing social activity
mobility. The programme provides students with
and expanding the welfare of the population.
scholarships—to institutions in the USA, the UK
“The ultimate goal is to introduce university
and more than 20 countries around the world—
students to a different Brazil from that of their
which are awarded to students in the fields of
campus surroundings,” says Dr Batalha. “It shows
science, technology, engineering and maths.
them the many different realities of the country and allows them to apply their academic
Future expansion
knowledge for the benefit of needy communities.”
In 2015, the university’s parent organisation,
Since 2009, students of social services,
Grupo Tiradentes, will launch the Tiradentes
dentistry, journalism and education have
University International Center in Boston,
participated in the project—meeting with local
Massachusetts, to promote academic, scientific
communities and developing their skills through
and cultural cooperation with US institutions.
community-based training. The Rondon Project is
“As an independent business unit, the centre will
just one of dozens of UNIT social projects aimed at
offer educational services, not only for Tiradentes
supporting and developing the Sergipe community,
students, but also for teachers and students
including centres for health, education, dentistry
from other accredited institutions, in the form of
and child and maternal health.
regular semester, summer-intensive and executive
“Our goal is to provide the best information
programmes,” says Professor Batalha. “It will enable
and international opportunities for students,
our students to be fully immersed in US culture,
teachers and administrative staff,” says Professor
and will also offer US students the chance to gain
Batalha, “thereby expanding our international
an in-depth understanding of Brazilian culture.”
development as well as their perceptions of our
Brazil’s powerhouse economy has been
multifaceted, globalised world.”
making headlines for some time now, but its
Since 2008, when it formed its first significant
academic potential remains comparatively
international partnership, with Spain’s University of
undervalued. By developing strong international
Valladolid, UNIT has formed bilateral agreements
partnerships and investing in cutting-edge
with universities in Europe and the Americas.
research, UNIT is championing its own quiet
Providing for teacher and student exchanges, joint
revolution—ensuring that Brazil’s educational
training, and technical and scientific cooperation,
impact is felt around the world.
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Progressive ideas and traditional values prove an enlightened mix University of Nizwa Nizwa, Oman | www.unizwa.edu.om
“Our mission is to promote positive thinking within an old country of rich traditions”
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
list of international research projects, Nizwa
engineering and architecture as much as the
continues to innovate year-on-year, with a
languages and fine arts.”
brand-new campus due to open in 2016 as “a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment”.
INTERNATIONAL outlook
The rise in Nizwa’s profile has been rapid.
The international links forged by the university
Founded in 2004, the university has produced more
play a major part in student life. Nizwa’s exclusive
than 4,000 graduates, and has quickly established
International Horizons summer programme
itself as one of Oman’s top institutions.
offers its students a rare opportunity to travel to countries such as Germany, the USA, the UK
Inspiring location
and Malaysia for a seven-week study scheme.
“Innovation lies at the very heart of the university,”
With the aim to expose its students to as wide
says Nizwa’s Chancellor, Professor Ahmed Khalfan
an array of different cultures and ways of learning
Al-Rawahi. “The city of Nizwa has been the seat of
as possible, the university also has around 30
knowledge in Oman for millennia. Assessing and
international partnerships and cooperative projects.
researching the needs of society were the university’s These include a Materials and Minerals Chair with founding goals; our mission is to promote positive
the University of Cambridge—an ongoing project
thinking within an old country of rich traditions.”
that started in 2013 with funding from the Omani
The four colleges—arts and sciences; economics,
Research Council.
management and information systems; engineering “We’re linked with quality and excellence and architecture; and pharmacy and nursing—
around the globe and we try to give our students
offer a modern style of education with traditional
the opportunity to operate in that league,” says
learning values.
Professor Ahmed. Recent pioneering research has
“The degree programmes are designed so
explored the sultanate’s famous “white gold”,
that they build on the education obtained with the
frankincense, and its effect as a complementary
general college requirement,” says Professor Ahmed.
medicine on cancer. “There are ample opportunities
“They do this by offering students a specialisation
for real academic research with global reach, and
Daring to think differently is written into the
in humanities or a science, for example.”
PhD study,” says Professor Ahmed.
University of Nizwa’s DNA—Oman’s first not-for-
Nizwa’s 45 undergraduate degrees serve the
Keen to further fuel its spirit of innovation,
profit university—where most of the 7,000-strong
needs of the Omani workforce, offering practical
the university moves to its new campus in 2016,
student population is female. Delivering a list of
programmes with real career potential. A striking
which has received a generous grant from the
degree courses and diplomas that range from
86 per cent of its students are female, attracted
Sultan of Oman. New master’s programmes will
pharmacy and architecture to cultural studies and
by the university’s equal opportunities funding
add to the language, economics and finance-
foreign languages, the university’s educational
and the choice of degrees on offer.
based courses already on offer, ensuring that
breadth reflects the diversity and quality of its
“Women are seeking new horizons,” says
this ancient seat of knowledge remains a hub of
graduates. A young university with an ever-growing
Professor Ahmed, “and they’re attracted to
innovation and learning for many years to come.
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217
The recipe for engagement? Marry independent thought with an expansive outlook University of South Florida Florida, USA | www.usf.edu
At the University of South Florida (USF), arts
at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level, has one
scholars can often find themselves taking a class
of the lowest tuition rates in the USA, and is among
in science, medical students may touch on market
the country’s fastest growing and most innovative
management and nearly all students experience at
research universities, with annual research spending
least one term abroad. That’s because, according to
in excess of £285 million. The university’s academic
the USF way of thinking, well-rounded, successful
programmes are wide ranging, covering arts and
students require not just an academic experience,
sciences, business, education, engineering, medicine,
but also the chance to engage with the wider world. public health and global sustainability. “We want to cultivate highly educated and
“We want scholars and scientists, students and staff to bring different perspectives to the university”
skilled graduates,” says Professor Ralph C Wilcox,
BEYOND THE CAMPUS
Provost and Executive Vice President of the
USF’s approach also entails looking beyond the
university. “Talented graduates who can lead
campus to the wider world. “We’re committed to
teams, solve problems and communicate
providing students with the opportunity to explore
successfully in the real world of the 21st century.”
further afield and develop skills that will serve
USF does this, in part, by supporting
them well beyond their time at USF,” says Dr Wilcox.
cross-subject collaborations. Rather than finding
Students are encouraged to enrol in internships and
themselves tucked away in their own faculties,
residencies, along with spending a term, a semester
students collaborate across disciplines. For instance, or even a year overseas. During the 2013/14 English literature students are encouraged to
academic year, more than 1,350 USF students
take part in programmes outside their field,
studied in locations as wide ranging as France,
particularly in the sciences. “This positions them
Italy, Germany, the UK, China and India.
nicely to complete a master’s or a doctoral degree
These links are more than a way of enabling
that helps them to stand out in the market place,”
cultural exchange. Dr Wilcox sees relationships with
says Dr Wilcox. Likewise, a graduate studying to be
other leading establishments as key to USF’s future.
a doctor might take classes in business, finance,
“For a university to be a leader in the 21st century,
marketing, management or engineering.
it has to conduct operations in ways that are different to the past,” he says. “We don’t want to
218
Welcoming environment
be an institution that merely sets up shop abroad,
“We want everyone—scholars and scientists,
but one that actively collaborates with partners.”
students and staff—to bring different perspectives
To this end USF has established several strategic
and experiences to the university,” says Dr Wilcox.
initiatives, including the Global Sustainability
“This not only helps us all to improve academically,
Programme, in places such as Brazil, the Caribbean,
but also helps create a learning environment that
West Africa, China and India as part of an effort to
is relevant, warm and welcoming.”
empower students to solve real-world problems.
Beginning with around 2,000 students
By encouraging its students to collaborate with
and five buildings in 1956, the USF System has
each other across disciplinary lines, and to travel and
grown to serve more than 48,000 students with
study abroad, USF seeks to prepare its students both
three institutions in Tampa, St Petersburg and
to engage with the wider world, and to find
Sarasota-Manatee. It offers more than 230 degrees
innovative solutions to its problems.
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
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219
fluent delivery—the experts in the language of learning Wadi Sofia College Kota Bharu, Malaysia | www.wadisofia.edu.my
“By 2016, English will become a compulsory subject in state schools, which is a challenge for Malaysia’s school system” 220
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
At most new schools, the priority for the first
Aged four to 17, the majority of students are
The school has always recruited teachers
decade is to steadily increase pupil numbers and
taught in the school’s international stream, which
with the necessary command of English to teach its
hopefully build a good reputation. Malaysia’s Wadi
incorporates Cambridge International Examinations’ international stream, and its existing staff originates
Sofia College, however, has packed more into its
English-taught IGCSE and A levels. As the school’s
from seven different countries, including Singapore,
initial dozen years than many would dare dream.
founder and Principal Adjunct Professor Datuk
India and the Philippines. Adjunct Professor Hassan
Founded in Kelantan province in 2002, the
Hassan bin Harun says, “The coming months
believes that this international approach is key to
school has expanded from an initial intake of
look set to be very exciting”. One reason for this
the school’s success and to future collaborations.
40 local youngsters to teaching more than 190
optimistic outlook is the imminent addition of
Already employed in the region’s top science and
students from three continents. It has established
technical training to the curriculum.
technology universities, English is proving vital at
its own solar power plant, which facilitated its plan
Then there’s the solar farm, which has been
both secondary and further education levels across
to introduce technical courses, in collaboration with
generating power for the Malaysian national grid
South East Asia.
other institutes in Malaysia. It also collaborates
since early 2014. “It’s part of our plan to diversify
with schools and universities in the region.
courses and our power plant will be the site for
Shared EXPERTISE
technical training,” says Adjunct Professor Hassan.
Following a successful trial in 2013, the school
Work is already under way to create a bespoke
is working with the State University of Surabaya,
course in renewable energy and, as well as
Indonesia on an English immersion scheme for
showcasing the subject to other local schools,
the university’s students, based at the Wadi
Wadi Sofia College hopes the plant will raise
Sofia campus.
£1 million per year to finance philanthropic projects
“Several schools in southern Thailand are
aimed at students from less affluent communities.
talking to us about introducing an English stream,”
Language leader
[Association of South East Asian Nations] members,
Thanks to Wadi Sofia College’s reputation for
such as Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia, are way
innovation, Universiti Kuala Lumpur is offering
ahead in the usage of English as the language
its Foundation in Business course and two degree
of business, education, entertainment and
programmes, Islamic Finance and Accountancy,
communications. Other countries, like Vietnam,
at the school from 2015. In addition, the forward-
Indonesia and Thailand, are now seriously
thinking college is looking to contribute to solving
investing themselves in the language.”
an urgent problem in Malaysia by delivering
Closer to home, the school is hoping to
an English language teaching degree online in
reintroduce its national stream, which was
collaboration with another public university.
temporarily suspended for primary and lower-
“By 2016, English will become a compulsory
secondary students following changes to the
subject in state schools,” says Adjunct Professor
country’s education system. It’s a move that
Hassan, who is also a member of the National
could boost pupil numbers to as many as 400
Education Advisory Council of Malaysia. “This is a
by 2016.
challenge for Malaysia’s school system because a
Underpinned by the school’s sustained
recent study found that around 65,000 teachers
high standards and bold ambitions, the next
says Adjunct Professor Hassan. “Some ASEAN
are not sufficiently skilled to teach the language.
few years at Wadi Sofia College promise to be just
Online training is the best solution.”
as eventful as its initial action-packed chapter.
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An expansive vision of student-centred, ethical progress The University of Iringa Iringa, Tanzania | www.uoi.ac.tz
into lectures, seminars and tutorials, independent studies, assignments and practical training. Enterprising spirit The university has recently established an entrepreneurial centre, which provides participants with the opportunity to experiment and experience real-life situations. Professor Bangu has already noticed a change in the students’ responses during workshops held at the centre. “They are visibly excited,” he says. “We invite guest business people to come and talk about their work, with the intention of encouraging our young people to take initiative
222
With a student roll of more than 4,000 and having
and ultimately become entrepreneurs themselves.”
recently acquired autonomous university status,
Wednesday afternoons at UoI are free from
the University of Iringa (UoI) in Tanzania has
academic study, to enable students to take part
ambitious plans for expansion. Formerly a college
in activities of their own choosing. “They must
within Tumaini University, Iringa’s six faculties and
register with a relevant official,” says Professor
departments—arts and social sciences, business
Bangu. “Then they can choose to do things that
and economics, law, science and education,
interest them, such as developing business plans,
theology, and counselling and psychology—offer
playing both entertainment-based and applied
undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well
games, forming clubs, laying on talent shows
as shorter diploma and certificate programmes.
or volunteering for community work.”
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor
UoI is determined to excel as a centre for
Nicholas Bangu, is eager to instigate change in the
entrepreneurship in order to maximise the economic
University of Iringa’s attitude to student learning.
potential of sub-Saharan Africa’s abundant natural
“We need a paradigm shift,” he says. “We recognise
resources. To this end, the university has begun a
that the education being offered in the country
programme of conferences, at which international
as a whole could be different. We would like to
academics and policy-makers are encouraged to
move away from information teaching and
come and share their knowledge. Under discussion
towards a more student-centred approach.”
are issues such as small- and medium-scale business
His plan involves offering learners more
sector development and sustainability.
personal involvement in their education.
“We also have plans to expand beyond Iringa
“The new system we are instigating takes
and offer study programmes in other locations,
account of the students’ cognitive behaviours
as well as expanding our outreach service,” says
—including comprehension, recall analysis,
Professor Bangu. “Our university’s vision is to be
application and evaluation—and bases its
a leading establishment that produces ethical,
teaching on those.” Courses are now subdivided
competitive and entrepreneurial leaders.”
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
A fresh-faced pioneer exploring new areas of knowledge Universidade de Aveiro aveiro, Portugal | www.ua.pt
are interdisciplinary and delivered by a combination of departments, research units, polytechnics and the university’s vocational education network. Having also introduced the first environmental engineering degree in Portugal, as well as new courses in biomedicine and bioinformatics, UA is widely considered as something of a pioneer. “We have always focused on new areas of knowledge,” says Manuel Assunção, Rector of the university. “In fact, we always look towards the future, identifying emerging needs and the connections between different areas of study.” This progressive mindset is underpinned by cutting-edge research. Of UA’s 18 research units, 15 were recently classed “very good” or “excellent” At just 42 years of age, Universidade de Aveiro
by the Portuguese National Science Foundation,
(UA) is a youthful institution with a reputation
while Portugal’s government conferred the status
for its unconventional attitude and its innovative
of Associate Laboratory on four of these units in
spirit. “Youth is happy because it has the capacity
recognition of sustained and exceptional merit.
to see beauty,” the writer Franz Kafka once said.
Since the university places great emphasis on
“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty
innovation, companies such as Nokia Networks
never grows old.”
and Portugal Telecom also have research and
This chimes with UA, which is based in the
development labs on campus.
Portuguese city of Aveiro—around 60 km south of
UA also supports budding entrepreneurs
Oporto—and which has enthusiastically sought out
through its business incubator, which offers
new capacities for learning since it was founded in
businesses access to researchers. While many
1973. The resulting success is evident: it was named universities have similar centres these days, Portugal’s best university under 50 in the 2013
UA established it more than a decade ago, and
Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
its new Creative Science Park will help to build additional links between industry and academia.
Research-led programmes
These facilities highlight UA’s desire to spot
Currently catering for around 15,000 undergraduates potential and embrace growth. It’s an approach and postgraduates, UA specialises in research-led
that ensures that, even as the university ages,
courses. Ten of these are taught in English, and many
it will retain its spirit of youthful curiosity.
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Providing start-up upstarts with the skills to succeed Edinburgh Napier University Edinburgh, UK | www.napier.ac.uk
businesses in Scotland, and an expectation that the university will play a role in this. Business connections What Dr Laing describes as a “confluence of need” between the university and Scotland as a whole has led to a clear focus on nurturing entrepreneurship among its 17,000 undergraduates and postgraduates. Students are provided with the means and support to get their careers off the ground while completing their studies. Much of this is achieved through strong links with existing businesses, an area in which ENU has a successful
“Our graduates emerge having the appropriate skills, because they’ve been educated in the precise areas that are needed”
and long-standing record. “These business links enable us to better inform our undergraduates and postgraduates of where there’s evidence of external need and demand,” says Dr Laing. “So our graduates emerge from the university having the appropriate skills, Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) has always
because they’ve been educated in the precise
prided itself on its forward-thinking interaction
areas that we know are needed by the industry.”
with the business world and the highly employable
This knowledge and understanding helps
graduates it produces. In short, it provides a strong
influence the direction of students’ research, while
head start. Indeed, since Professor Andrea Nolan
dedicated enterprise support enables them to
became Principal and Vice Chancellor in 2013, the
become business owners themselves. Assistance is
university has ensured that giving students that
available at every step of the process, from business
head start is at the heart of its strategy.
planning to intellectual property rights, through
Dr Susan Laing, ENU’s Director of Innovation
to accessing financial backing and legal expertise.
and Enterprise, explains that this support is crucial, Its success is evident—ENU’s alumni comprised
224
as students are increasingly mindful of getting
42 per cent of recorded graduate start-up
the most out of university in terms of future
companies in Scotland in 2011/12. And, to build on
career prospects. “There’s an acute awareness
this, the university has a raft of initiatives aimed at
now of ‘what’s in this for me, what does this
inspiring and promoting its enterprising students.
mean for my career’,” she says. This is coupled
Nick Fannin oversees the various extracurricular
with a drive to increase the number of innovative
activities that have developed out of the university’s
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
entrepreneurship teaching team. Although based within its Business School, the team provides a sweep of modules across all three faculties, which also include Engineering, Computing and Creative Industries, and Health, Life and Social Sciences. STUDENT enterprises There is an awareness of supporting student start-ups throughout the university, with two existing business incubator spaces, and plans to open a third on the Health, Life and Social Sciences campus very shortly. These provide free hot-desk space to all students and graduates, with Nick and his colleagues on hand as business advisers. The university has also partnered with Entrepreneurial Spark, a social enterprise that provides an accelerator programme to entrepreneurs throughout Edinburgh. In addition, it has created a consultancy programme called Bright Red Triangle, which employs students from all three faculties to form consultancy teams delivering short-term projects for businesses. “We can build a multidisciplinary team, which gives us an advantage over other consultancies out there,” says Nick. “It’s really caught the imagination across the university, so we’re looking to develop that.” Future plans include creating a version of Team Academy, which was pioneered in Finland and enables students to set up and run a real business as part of their degree course. With such emphasis on exploring innovative ways to give students a head start in business, ENU produces entrepreneurially minded graduates who are inspired to take charge of their careers, and have all the tools they need to succeed.
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The global intersection where all roads lead to academic excellence Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Basel BASEL, Switzerland | www.unibas.ch
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
Shopping is a truly international affair for
rest of the world, the institute provides
students and academics at the University of
opportunities for master’s and postgraduate
Basel in Switzerland. “You can buy everything,”
study in law, economics, political science and
says Professor Dr Barbara Schellewald, Dean of
history. It sets out to pool expertise on Europe,
the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Africa and Asia through links with international
“And it’s fun to go to the market in France on
partners including East China Normal University
Saturday morning and then go shopping in
in Shanghai.
Germany the next day, if you like.” Located where the Swiss, French and German
CITY OF CULTURE
borders meet, the University of Basel prides itself
Basel is a fairly small city by European standards,
on its international outlook, as does its Faculty of
but it is home to more than 40 museums including
Humanities and Social Sciences. As the largest of
the Kunstmuseum (ranked by The Times newspaper
the university’s schools, the faculty offers students
as one of the five best art galleries in the world)
more than half a dozen degree programmes with
and the Beyeler Foundation (whose collection of
some taught in English instead of German.
200 modernist works includes those by Warhol and Van Gogh). Those studying at the university
African studies
can benefit from the links it has established with
It is a Swiss tradition to “embrace other cultures”
these organisations, which provide extensive
explains Professor Schellewald—a trend part
research opportunities.
inspired by missionaries in the 19th century.
The university also has a relationship with
It’s one that the University of Basel is living up
the Schaulager, a public warehouse dedicated
to as the first institution in Switzerland to offer
to displaying, conserving and researching
a master’s degree and a PhD in African Studies.
contemporary art. The architecture firm behind
The university’s Centre for African Studies is
the museum’s design, Herzog and De Meuron,
attached to the Faculty of Humanities and Social
also built Tate Modern in London and has its
Sciences, and the Faculty of Theology, enabling
head office in Basel. The partnership between
students to engage in interdisciplinary learning.
the University of Basel and this prestigious art
The centre offers modules on agriculture and
institute has led to two new research posts—
social anthropology, and hosts a busy schedule
the Schaulager Professorship for Art History and
of lectures—recent talks, for instance, have
the Laurenz Assistant Professorship, both of
focused on fraud and repression in the Democratic
which are designed to strengthen the global
Republic of Congo’s 2011 elections.
reach and impact of art history in Basel.
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Schaulager also collaborates with the
also supports the Europa Institut (also known
university on a national research programme
as the Institute for European Global Studies).
called the National Centre of Competence in
Focusing on issues facing both Europe and the
Research: Eikones (Iconic Criticism). Based on
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227
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Basel BASEL, Switzerland | www.unibas.ch
“You’ll find people speaking French and English here, or even Italian. Staff, too, come from many different countries”
228
intensive analysis into the role and theories of
that are taught exclusively in English, including
images throughout history, the centre’s aim is to
African Studies and Chemistry.
explore how the digital revolution has impacted on society as pictures become used increasingly as a
GLOBAL community
means of generating and imparting knowledge.
“Students coming here from abroad can be anxious because they think their German
Fresh perspectives
isn’t good enough and they won’t be able to
All institutions have to embrace change if they are
understand a word,” says Professor Schellewald.
to maintain their reputation for excellence, and
“But you’ll find more people speaking French and
the University of Basel is no exception. Several of
English here, or even Italian, rather than German.
its departments have benefited from recruiting
Staff, too, come from many different countries
young academics who have lived and worked in
so their first language isn’t German.”
different countries. For example, Professor Dr Ralph
This global approach, along with the quality
Ubl, Director of Eikones, started out at Basel, then
of its teaching and research, earned the University
lectured in Germany and Chicago before returning
of Basel a place on QS World University Rankings’
to the university, bringing with him valuable
list of top ten German-speaking institutions in
international links and contacts.
2013. And the Times Educational Supplement’s
“The experience you get in different contexts of
world university rankings also rated it highly
research and teaching is without a doubt extremely
for international outlook.
valuable,” says Professor Schellewald. “There are
Switzerland’s oldest university, which has a
intriguing differences in the scientific communities
student population of more than 11,000, is proud
and universities of different countries, not only in
of its alumni, who include Erasmus, Carl Jung and
Europe but overseas as well. So if someone has
Friedrich Nietzsche. The focus for the future is on
these experiences then they can offer fresh input.”
recruiting students from around the world who
The university’s international outlook is also
show outstanding talent and who will continue
reflected in its approach to English speakers.
the university’s reputation for first-class research.
Studying abroad can be daunting for students
“The university offers a window both on
from Britain who are not fluent in a second
and to the world that’s ideal for students,” says
language. To this end, the University of Basel
Dr Schellewald. “What we really want is talented
provides a total of 15 master’s programmes
students from abroad—and more of them.”
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
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229
An enduring commitment to students, staff and stakeholders alike Leeds Beckett University Leeds, UK | www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
“Students are our main customers and we put them at the heart of everything we do”
230
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
a commitment to driving customer-focused change. The outstanding facilities and premises— The Investors in People Gold standard has a similar
including the university library, which is open
ethos, “but with that our main customer group is
24 hours a day, seven days a week and was
our staff”, says Jenny. The success of the university’s
reaccredited for its Customer Service Excellence
customer-focused approach is good news, not only
—have helped earn the university its coveted
for its 32,000 students (some 3,000 of whom are
CSE award. The assessor identified 14 areas of
postgraduates), but also to its 3,000 employees.
strength in all, including corporate commitment,
The university’s four faculties—arts,
safeguarding of students, a neighbourhood
environment and technology; business and
helpline and employability. The university is
law; health and social sciences; and the
particularly proud of the professional focus of
Carnegie Faculty—deliver 150 postgraduate
its courses—all are developed in conjunction
and professionally accredited courses that focus
with employers—and the resultant employability
on health, sport, active lifestyles, retail, tourism,
of its students.
hospitality, arts and social research. The newly launched Leadership Centre, which sits within the
INVESTING IN PEOPLE
Faculty of Business and Law, offers professional
The Investors in People Gold Standard, achieved
and academic qualifications, research and services
by Leeds Beckett University, takes into account all
to business, and leadership programmes.
aspects of an organisation’s employment practice,
The university is split between two main
including reward, involvement and development.
campuses. City Campus is located in the heart
This demonstrates the university’s commitment
of Leeds. Just under three miles away, amid 100
to a high-quality staff experience and is no small
acres of parkland, lies Headingley Campus and
achievement considering that the university is one
its historical buildings. The Carnegie Pavilion—
of the most significant employers in the region,
where events, tourism and hospitality courses
contributing £475 million to the economy.
are taught—is located nearby at the famous
Leeds Beckett University strives for excellence
“What sets us apart from other universities is
Headingley Carnegie Stadium, home of the
in everything it does, and research is no exception.
our investment in people,” says Jenny Share,
city’s rugby and cricket clubs.
Within its three research institutes—health and
Secretary and Registrar at Leeds Beckett University.
well-being; sport, physical activity and leisure; and
“We define staff and stakeholders as customer
INVESTING IN FACILITIES
the Leeds Sustainability Institute—the university
groups, but students are our main customers and
Leeds Beckett University continually invests
focuses on practical, real-world research that
we put them at the heart of everything we do.”
in its facilities and, in 2012, a £1 million
makes a difference to people’s everyday lives.
Leeds Beckett University, formerly Leeds
clinical-skills suite opened in its city centre site.
Boasting cutting-edge research, professional
Metropolitan University, is the only university in
There, students studying courses such as nursing
courses and exceptional facilities, Leeds Beckett
the UK to hold both the Government’s Customer
and physiotherapy use specialist equipment
University has plenty to offer anyone interested
Service Excellence (CSE) standard and an “Investors
in purpose-built rooms. The university also
in furthering their studies, boosting their business
in People” Gold standard. The CSE standard is
houses sports-science labs, film studios and
growth, or upskilling their staff—whatever kind
awarded to public sector bodies that demonstrate
performance spaces.
of customer they are.
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A city of striking views and expanding academic prospects Prague College Prague, Czech Republic | www.praguecollege.cz
as well as bachelor’s degrees at its three schools —IT and computing; business; and art and design—all of which are accredited by academic partner Teesside University. “Prague College educates students in one of the most beautiful academic cities in Europe,” says Douglas, “and provides enormous opportunities for serious research and employment.” Indeed, the Czech capital serves as an ever-expanding hub for major international companies, particularly in advertising and media, IT, telecoms and retail. The university takes advantage of this, with students undertaking stints at companies such as Marks & Spencer and British Airways, whose headquarters, like those of Prague College, are in the city centre. Industry network
“Prague College provides students with enormous opportunities for serious research and employment”
232
“There was a time when choice in higher
The close links between international employers
education was comparatively limited in terms
and the college’s students, academics and alumni
of location and capacity for development,”
are fostered by the college’s growing Industry
says Douglas Hajek, Director of Prague College.
Network, building on an already firm foundation
“But the opening up of Europe has helped to
of experiential learning.
expand horizons, providing the opportunity
Research activities are equally wide in scope.
for advanced practice and research in a truly
To ensure that research is tied closely to the
international environment. Studying in the
learning experience of the students, the college’s
heart of Europe is anything but parochial!”
Centre for Research and Interdisciplinary Studies
Often dubbed “the British university in
(CRIS) offers an academic forum in its thrice-
Prague”, Prague College affords its 600 students
yearly research publication Bulletin. Both CRIS
the opportunity to study in a picturesque and
and the college’s School of Business are in the
historic European city, and emerge with an
capable hands of Stefano Cavagnetto—formerly
internationally recognised UK qualification.
a visiting fellow at the Isaac Newton Institute
The college, which marks its tenth anniversary
for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge. CRIS is
this year, offers master’s degrees in both
also responsible for organising a number of
International Management and Computing,
annual international conferences.
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
The college’s Master Speaker Series, which supports its master’s programmes, puts students in regular contact with an array of global experts. Recent speakers include Richard Reoch, former media chief of Amnesty International, and Vladimír Dlouhý, former Trade and Industry Minister of the Czech Republic. Master’s ambitions Prague College’s initial two master’s degree programmes have produced some outstanding results. “The next step is to mirror that success in the creative arts,” says Douglas. “We have recently opened a new studio space in central Prague specifically for our growing School of Art and Design, allowing students to showcase their reputation for innovation and creativity. External examiners praised the college’s ‘visually stimulating physical environment’ and its ‘strong approach to the development of visual literacy’. It seems an obvious next step.” Having established itself as one of the top private universities in the Czech Republic, Prague College’s ambition is to position itself as the go-to destination for undergraduates and graduates across the region. “With business investing more prominently than ever in Central Europe, we hope to raise our number of students substantially,” says Douglas. Prague College has certainly expanded its horizons. And, with a beautiful location, a wide range of prestigious speakers and well-established relationships with several leading companies, it seems an ideal place for students to do the same.
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The class act delivering a sound grounding in the modern music industry The Royal Irish Academy of Music Dublin, Ireland | www.riam.ie
For more than 160 years, the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) has represented the highest standards of music performance education. Despite its long history, however, the institution
“Our students must prepare themselves to be cultural entrepreneurs and to develop their audience across a range of spheres”
is still driven by a culture of innovation. “Our story has been one of leading and inventing,” says Director Deborah Kelleher. “We brought the first systematic music education to Ireland through our Local Centre Examination System over 100 years ago. We launched the first professional diploma for instrumental and vocal music teachers in 1930. Now we offer groundbreaking music-performance degrees, which equip our students for a 21st-century career in the arts.” Industry preparation RIAM’s full-time degrees cater for an elite group of highly talented and motivated students from both Ireland and overseas. The primary objective of the academy’s full-time degrees is to train and develop students to the highest professional performance level. But students also need to be prepared for the stark realities of making a living in a changing music industry. “We’ve had to rethink the likely career path of our students,” says Deborah. “That means moving away from the 19th- and 20th-century assumptions that all professional musicians will end up in a symphony orchestra, on a concert platform or in an opera house. Our students must prepare themselves to be cultural entrepreneurs and to develop their audience across a range of spheres, most notably involving new technologies.” To support their students in their efforts to forge careers in this new landscape, Deborah and her team have put innovation programmes
234
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
called Professional Practice in place, which develop business, technology and marketing skills in worksimulation programmes. “Our students devise independent performance projects in a supported environment, which are designed to help them negotiate that vital transition between education and work,” says Deborah. “As a sole operator, or as part of a team, the student must take ownership of their own decisions, developing leadership and decision-making skills that will stand them well in the future.” The Kirkos Ensemble One RIAM project in particular represents the kind of results that such structured support can bring about. The Kirkos Ensemble is a student-led contemporary music group that performs music by RIAM students and established living composers. “The ambition of this group was extraordinary from the outset,” says Deborah. “We gave them financial, business, marketing and musical support and they took it from there. Now, the Kirkos Ensemble has a diverse audience base—cultivated through social media and live engagement—which attends its performances in locations that vary from warehouses to nightclubs. This success has provided a launch pad for further development, with RIAM offering an “incubator” programme for emerging artistic practice. “This year we will offer more support to recent graduates and current students who are committed to forming independent touring ensembles, particularly in early music and jazz,” explains Deborah. “We will continue to foster such innovative practice in our students, encouraging them to become distinctive, vibrant and creative artists.”
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A rounded approach to getting ahead of the business curve School of business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University aarhus, Denmark | www.bss.au.dk
“To offer a successful business education, you need to see what is coming and what businesses require”
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
beyond business
The school has invested heavily in IT to support
The school enables its students to do just that by
its wide-ranging approach. This is backed up by a
bringing business and social sciences together into
commitment to ensure that its 500 academic staff
a single faculty. One of Europe’s biggest business
embrace new technology in their teaching.
schools, Aarhus encourages its 14,000 students
“We require all our professors to take courses
and 300 PhD researchers to develop their skills
in ‘blended’ learning, which uses technology to
and knowledge across different disciplines. And as
make study more interactive,” explains Svend.
one of four main faculties at Aarhus University—
“Technology has changed the way we teach.
the others being arts, health, and science and
It’s not just about filming a lecture or delivering
technology—it is also able to draw upon expertise
a lesson with a slightly different slant. It demands
from the wider university.
more active participation from the students
“If we discover that we lack a particular
and is something all young people can do very
competency within the walls of the business
successfully. In order to teach them effectively,
school,” says Svend, “then we will find it
our professors must also be able to use it.”
elsewhere in the university.” In addition to business administration,
masters of employment
business communication, and economics and
Aarhus’s broad approach, coupled with its
business, the school’s departments include law,
commitment to new teaching methods, is proving
political science and government, and psychology
successful. Its graduates are in demand in the jobs
and behavioural sciences. Once they have mastered
market, with employment figures well above the
their own discipline, students and researchers are
national average.
encouraged to work closely with those working
In 2011/12, for instance, 98 per cent of
in other fields.
master’s graduates found employment. A third
Svend believes that an understanding of
found jobs before they finished their degree and
psychology, in particular, is essential in business.
two thirds within three months of graduating.
Future business leaders need a broad set of skills
Thanks to advances in brain research—and the
The school’s alumni include CEOs at major
to succeed in today’s global economy, according
creation of enormous databases—companies
international companies, such as the shipping
to Svend Hylleberg, the Dean of the School of
now have access to a vast amount of complex
giant Maersk and the toy manufacturer Lego.
Business and Social Sciences at Aarhus University
information about the various ways that
“To offer a successful business education,
in Denmark.
consumers behave.
you need to see what is coming and what
“Many business schools are far too narrow
“We know so much more about individual
businesses require,” says Svend. “It is important
in their scope,” says Svend. “A traditional MBA
behaviour than we did 10 or 15 years ago,” he
to be a first mover—especially if you are situated
covers subjects like business organisation,
says. “There is the whole new area of ‘big data’.
in a small country like Denmark. You have to be
strategy, marketing and economics. In today’s
Every time a person connects to the internet,
known for doing something better. The fact that
highly competitive market it is important to have
someone collects their data and can analyse their
we are relatively broad, and have the backing
a much more stable base and really build up your
behaviour. Business leaders need an understanding
of a whole university, gives us a very strong
educational background.”
of psychology to interpret and use this data.”
competitive advantage.”
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Integrated mindset—merging disciplines and cultures to deliver strength in depth Södertörn University huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden | www.sh.se
The ability to think freely and critically is central to Södertörn University’s philosophy as a modern, research-intensive institution. “The starting point is always the questions of today,” says Vice-Chancellor Professor Moira von Wright. “Questions that are relevant to society and to a humanist view of society. This relevance is very important.” Emphasising diversity, active citizenship and multidisciplinary education, Södertörn offers more than 150 bachelor’s and master’s degree courses across its four schools—social sciences; historical and contemporary studies; culture and education; and natural sciences, technology and environmental studies. Of these, around seven programmes and 100 courses are taught in English. Södertörn, founded in 1997, is a relatively young university. Its campus is less than 20 minutes from the centre of Stockholm and home to more than 13,000 students. International perspective “When we speak about innovation it’s very much about social innovation,” says Professor von Wright. “One thing that is special about us, at least in the Swedish context, is that we have a diverse population of students, much broader than is usual in Swedish higher education. Many of our students—even those born in Sweden—have an international background.” Södertörn’s emphasis on diversity is not just limited to the cultural sphere; diversity in academic inquiry is central to the university’s approach to multidisciplinary studies. Alongside their core business studies courses, students in the Culture Management programme study the history of ideas, concepts of culture and art, the media, and the history and theory of aesthetics.
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The programme has an excellent reputation across Sweden, and includes internships in several leading cultural organisations. “The idea is to understand both the language of culture and the language of business,” says Dr Ann-Sofie Köping, Deputy Head of the School of Social Sciences and a senior lecturer in business administration. Many of Södertörn’s business studies and culture-orientated programmes share this focus. Södertörn’s degree in Business, Technology and Design includes courses in partnership with two other Stockholm institutions—the Royal Institute of Technology and the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design (also known as Konstfack). They include modules on design management, design strategy and methodology, as well as technical courses such as production technology. While primarily business-focused, students are also “introduced to using colour and form when it comes to creating images and materials,” says Dr Köping. Administration and Leadership draws together Innovative breadth
students from business studies, political science
“The Bachelor of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and
and sociology. “In order to become a good
Markets is very much concerned with both social
leader—and these students are destined to
and business innovation,” she adds. “It teaches
become leaders in a host of industries—they need
students to see business problems from a range of
to have a good theoretical basis,” says Professor
different perspectives.” The course takes students
Bengt Jacobsson, the programme’s convenor.
through the development, management, protection “They also need a good general knowledge of and commercialisation of an idea. It is designed to
organisational reforms, organisational change
develop an understanding of change processes,
and organisation control.”
entrepreneurial spirit and creativity by looking at
The university’s diversity offers great
innovation and entrepreneurship from corporate,
potential for its future leaders, both nationally
social and cultural perspectives.
and internationally. At Södertörn, students learn
Embracing a similar view of multidisciplinary
to engage with different traditions, religions and
study, the university’s two-year master’s in Public
values—freely and critically.
“ The idea is to understand both the language of culture and the language of business”
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Charting a new course—the young university that offers a wealth of experience UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE MADRID Madrid, Spain | www.uam.es
“We have signed more than 600 new agreements for internships with corporations, private businesses and public institutions”
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The motive for locating the Universidad Autónoma
Ranked 11th in the QS World University
are biosciences, IT, new materials and
de Madrid (UAM) on a campus outside the city
Rankings Top 50 Under 50 universities, UAM is
nanotechnology, the environment and renewable
centre was to keep potentially revolutionary
building on its reputation with innovative new
energies. The campus is located just north of
students away from the heart of the capital.
degree courses that are attracting the brightest
Madrid, one of the most active regions in Spain
That, however, was in response to the global
students from Spain and further afield. In doing
for research and development, which affords us
student unrest of 1968. As it happens, UAM’s
so, the university is forging fresh academic
the chance for quality corporate sponsorship.”
students have managed to embed themselves in
alliances and adding dynamic connections
UAM’s science courses put practice
Madrid’s culture: not by storming the barricades,
with major universities worldwide.
over theory. “Students can plan and execute
but through the quality of their undergraduate
experiments from beginning to end,” says Amaya,
and postgraduate degrees, their research projects
Connected courses
“rather than having a set number of practical
and now the level of international study mobility
“In 2013 we launched a four-year Philosophy,
hours per course.” For the master’s in biomedicine,
that they enjoy.
Politics and Economics degree in partnership
for instance, students work with researchers
with the Alliance 4 Universities,” says Amaya
and clinical practitioners in hospitals and
Mendikoetxea Pelayo, Vice Rector of International
health-research centres in Madrid.
Relations at UAM. “Students spend the first year in Barcelona, the second in Madrid, one year
Working objectives
overseas and then they choose to complete
Internships are also a key part of UAM’s programme.
their studies in Madrid or Barcelona. It’s a
“What is crucial for us is that students work and
completely new degree system for Spain.”
learn,” says Amaya. Each student’s objectives are
UAM also offers a five-year Political Science
set out at the beginning of an internship, during
degree with Sciences Po Bordeaux—one of 13
which they are supported to achieve those goals.
international “double degree” programmes—where
“In 2011/12, 70 per cent of the graduates we
students obtain both a UAM degree and a Bordeaux
surveyed undertook an internship arranged by
diploma, which is equivalent to a master’s degree.
UAM,” she adds. “In the academic year 2013/14,
As the name “Autónoma” (autonomous)
we signed more than 600 new agreements for
suggests, UAM produces independent thinkers
internships with corporations, private businesses
whose study equips them for careers in Spain
and public institutions such as museums.”
and overseas. The university has impressive arts,
Having asserted its academic presence in
humanities and social science programmes,
Madrid, UAM has gained international recognition
but there is also a strong focus on sciences,
for the quality of its teaching and research facilities.
with the UAM Cantoblanco campus being home
To this end, it has been invited to join the Harvard/
to the Madrid Science Park. Created in 2001 in
MIT initiative edX, continues to work with around
collaboration with the Universidad Complutense
500 universities worldwide and is establishing
de Madrid, the facility promotes research,
exciting new connections in South America and
development and knowledge transfer.
Asia. The revolutionary spirit at UAM is clearly alive
“The park involves around 30 big companies,”
and well, but is today channelled into a rising of
says Amaya. “The main technological fields
innovation, learning and academic relationships.
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The age-old institution with fresh connections for the 21st century Università di Torino Turin, Italy | www.unito.it
“We are on a mission to provide work placements, create new jobs and pioneer new industries”
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It is one of the oldest universities in the world,
to spend one year out of three abroad, while MBA
with a list of old boys that includes Erasmus and
students study for one year in Paris, one in London
Umberto Eco, Antonio Gramsci and Primo Levi,
and one in Turin. And UNITO’s law school offers
along with several Italian premiers and a host of
programmes in association with universities
Nobel Prize winners. But the Università di Torino
around Europe, North America and Israel.
—known as UNITO—is always looking ahead.
“My aim is to extend these partnerships to
“We have more than six centuries of history,”
Latin America, Russia and China,” says Professor
says Professor Gianmaria Ajani, the university’s
Ajani. “We’ve already launched a project to help
Rector, “but we understand that universities need
Chinese students become fluent in Italian before
to change. It is not enough to pat students on the
they enrol at university, and are also making our
back after three years and wish them the best.
website available in Chinese.”
We are on a mission to provide work placements,
UNITO has long had links with Russia.
create new jobs and pioneer new industries.”
“Our physics and mathematics departments have had exchange programmes with Soviet universities
Industry and culture
going back to the 1950s, and we want to build
Until recently, industry in Turin was dominated by
on that,” adds Professor Ajani. “There is also an
the car giant Fiat. “There’s still some Fiat production
increasing flow of very good students from Eastern
here but it is largely irrelevant these days,” says
Europe, including Poland, Romania and Albania.”
Professor Ajani. “In many ways, Turin has become a post-industrial city. Much like Manchester, it’s moved Strength in depth from industrial to post-industrial to cultural city.”
As well as having world-renowned departments
The university maintains a strong, successful
in medicine, physics, maths and biology, UNITO
dialogue with many of the new firms that are now
consistently rates as one of Italy’s top universities
emerging in Turin. “Our chemistry department is
in law, literature, history and philosophy.
in collaboration with local biotech start-ups,” says
“It’s not just in the fields of engineering and
Professor Ajani, “while our department of agrarian
medicine where there is room for business growth,”
research is working with wine producers on soil
says Professor Ajani. “Humanities graduates can
chemistry, sulphites and other areas of viniculture.”
use the ideas that they learn to contribute to
The university has also successfully obtained
the cultural industry. We need people who can
funds from the EU’s Horizon 2020 scheme. One of
maintain cultural heritage, who can become
UNITO’s key innovations as part of this has been a
cultural mediators in a multicultural environment.
series of incubator projects for business start-ups.
It’s one strategy to help overcome the current
Many of the university’s 67,000 students
unemployment in the younger generation.”
benefit from its numerous international
It is this awareness of the world beyond
partnerships. It shares five double-degrees and
university that helps to affirm UNITO’s age-old
several research facilities with universities in Lyon,
stature, no less its provision of the necessary skills
and its department of physics manages many
and opportunities to succeed in the working
relevant projects at CERN, just across the Alps
world—an offering that proves much more useful
in Geneva. Most of UNITO’s PhD students tend
than a mere pat on the back at graduation.
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Broad horizons—a worldly outlook on forging strong industry connections University Institute of Lisbon LISBON, Portugal | www.iscte-iul.pt
“The close links we have built between the social and business environments are a key factor in the future success of our graduates”
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CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
centred on what Nuno refers to as “the recently
external organisations. In the Business School,
discovered Portuguese-speaking world”—including
for instance, we employ teachers who have
Brazil, Mozambique and Angola. “They have an
experience at leading companies.”
estimated 250 million Portuguese speakers, and
In addition, business executives from
we try to cater for them in many different ways,”
multinationals such as Microsoft, KPMG and Cisco
he says. “For instance, in Mozambique, we’ve run
Systems regularly host lectures on ISCTE-IUL’s
a master’s degree in Management and Accounting
postgraduate courses. “We also attract important
for several years, and ISCTE-IUL also recently
business leaders through the Building Global
acquired a share of a higher-education institute
Innovators initiative,” adds Nuno. “It’s an ongoing
in the country. Through initiatives such as this, we
scheme that originated at the Massachusetts
aim to support each country’s economic growth,
Institute of Technology and has a great track
enabling them to benefit from our academic
record in company creation and acceleration.”
connections with the rest of the world.” These connections are wide-ranging and
Great employment prospects
include, for instance, ISCTE-IUL’s provision of
Students at ISCTE-IUL’s four schools are supported
a doctorate in Business Administration in the
both in securing internships and in embarking
Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Chengdu, as
on their career. “As a result, the employability of
well as professorial exchanges with Indian, South
our graduates and postgraduates is impressive,”
American and African universities. In addition,
says Nuno. To this end, the university’s educational
ISCTE-IUL has an international body of around
unit AUDAX is invaluable in its promotion of
370 permanent and invited faculty members at its
entrepreneurship, not only hi-tech but also in
Lisbon site, as well as world-class guest lecturers.
areas such as social entrepreneurship in poorer neighbourhoods. “The close links we have built
Collaborative spirit
between the social and business environments
Established in 1972, the university maintains a
are a key factor in the future success of our
roughly 50/50 split between undergraduates on
graduates,” he adds.
The spirit of Vasco da Gama lives on at the
the one hand and postgraduates and PhD students
The exchange of ideas and research is
University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL).
on the other and enrolled around 9,000 students in
increasingly intertwined within the university’s
“Twenty years ago, we got two professors from
2013/14. It consists of four schools—the Business
academic programmes and international
the management and economics faculty and
School, the School of Technologies and Architecture,
initiatives. “We are always trying to expand,”
we sent them off to Macao, China—that is how
the Human and Social Sciences School and the
says Nuno, “so students attracted by the idea
long we’ve been building our overseas academic
School of Sociology and Public Policies—all of
of studying in Portugal’s thriving capital city
network,” says Nuno Guimaraes, the university’s
which collaborate with one another.
will certainly find their horizons broadened
Vice-Rector of International Relations.
“A key feature of ISCTE-IUL is the way we
and enriched in every way.”
Since that pioneering expedition, ISCTE-IUL has
encourage a crossover between the disciplines
With its growing international connections
greatly enhanced its international links. Not only
of our core schools,” says Nuno. “We do this
and expansive world view, ISCTE-IUL is keeping
are more than 60 nationalities represented on
to foster entrepreneurship within our courses
its spirit of enterprise and discovery well and
campus, but the university is now increasingly
and to directly address the needs of society and
truly alive.
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Guiding enterprising minds on the path to tangible success University of Huddersfield Huddersfield, UK | www.hud.ac.uk
Since becoming Vice-Chancellor in 2007, Professor
the curriculum by enabling students to pursue
“To make working with us even easier for them, our
Bob Cryan has led the University of Huddersfield
a business idea during their studies.
Research and Enterprise Department now provides
on a transformative journey. It passed yet another
“We now have more than 80 students and
our external partners from around the world with
milestone in 2013 when the institution was
graduates actively exploring business start-ups in
a single point of contact to coordinate projects that
named University of the Year at the Times Higher
the Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Centre,” says
require input from multiple research institutions.”
Education Awards 2013.
3M Professor of Innovation Liz Towns-Andrews.
It’s all part of providing a learning environment
The accolade reflects the fact that it is the only
“This shows that we take a sizeable number of
that is inspiring, innovative and international.
university in the UK where each lecturer is a fellow
students through the learning curve of what it
It also goes to show how the entrepreneurial
of the Higher Education Academy, and that its
means to be an entrepreneur—from having a
outlook implemented by Professor Cryan has
staff secured more National Teaching Fellowships
business idea to growing that idea into a small
enabled the University of Huddersfield to match
between 2008 and 2013 than any other university
company and then into a larger one.”
his personal achievement in becoming an inspiring
in the country. “We have built our whole strategy
As a result, the University of Huddersfield
leader in its field.
around three ‘i’s—being inspiring, innovative and
has won a host of prizes over the last few
international,” says Professor Cryan, who was
years, including the Times Higher Education
named Inspiring Leader at the inaugural Guardian
Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award in
University Awards in 2013. “These three concepts
2012 and a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2013.
have led to real transformations at Huddersfield.” User-inspired research Culture of enterprise
As well as developing entrepreneurship skills, the
This drive for change is particularly evident in
University of Huddersfield is continually cultivating
the university’s determination to develop a culture
its status as a thriving research community.
of entrepreneurship and research enterprise.
“The ethos of the research that we undertake
In 2012, it partnered with global corporation 3M
is user-inspired—applied research with impact.
to create the £12 million 3M Buckley Innovation
That’s our mantra,” says Professor Andrew Ball,
Centre (funded through the European Regional
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise.
Development Fund)—a major facility for the
To develop research knowledge into products
development of research-driven partnerships
and services that benefit both communities and
between the University of Huddersfield and
the economy, the university is building long-term
national and international industry partners.
partnerships with industry. Siemens, the National
The facility’s Duke of York Young Entrepreneur
Physical Laboratory and the Railway Standards
Centre also offers budding business people—
and Safety Board are just some of the well-known
including graduates—the chance to launch their
national and international organisations that have
own companies by providing them with support
partnered with the University of Huddersfield to
and access to shared office space. In addition, the
turn ambitious ideas into viable developments.
university runs a degree in Enterprise Development,
“As a university, we are very approachable, very
championed by renowned British businessman
practical and we operate in a way that businesses
Theo Paphitis, which embeds entrepreneurship in
find straightforward,” says Professor Ball.
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“ We take students through the learning curve of what it means to be an entrepreneur”
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The career launchpad grounded in academia and industry alike University of León León, Spain | www.unileon.es/en
Life after university is just as important for students
Union’s student exchange programme.” A joint
as their time as undergraduates. That’s why the
degree programme has been developed recently
University of León’s priority is linking with business between León’s School of Mechanical Engineering so that graduates have the best chance of career
and the University of Xiangtan in China. This is
success. “We focus on what they’re going to
a first for a Spanish university and will provide
do post-degree,” says Jose Luis Chamosa, the
students with a unique educational and cultural
university’s Vice Rector. “Traditionally, Spanish
experience—an impressive addition to León’s
universities haven’t done this. We’re trying to
existing global links with institutions in Mexico,
build that bridge between academia and the
Chile, Australasia and the USA.
more professional aspect of education.” Based in northern Spain, León provides its
Diverse opportunities
students with internships within local government
Founded in 1979, but rooted in colleges that date
and at companies in sectors such as technology
back to the mid-19th century, León offers traditional
and financial. These connections give them
degrees such as law and veterinary science, as
valuable experience so they’re equipped to cope
well as more technical courses such as renewable
with, and contribute to, the workplace. “Our ethos
energies and earth sciences. Opportunities for
is that each of our students has individual needs,
students include an MA in healthy ageing—a joint
not just in their education but in the professional
programme with the University of the Basque
world as well,” says Jose Luis.
Country and the Polytechnic Institute of Braganza in Portugal. As part of this master’s degree, the
“Each student has individual needs, not just in their education but in the professional world as well” 248
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
university’s Department of Engineering is
The student-to-tutor ratio is one of the university’s
developing health-information programmes as
great strengths. With only 15,000 students, it is
well as small robots designed to complete tasks
able to provide one-to-one tuition in many of its
for older people living on their own.
faculties, and tutorial groups are invariably small.
“The population of Europe is ageing rapidly
This means that academics can assess each
and this is one of the most important problems
student’s capabilities and build on these to
that society has to deal with,” says Jose Luis.
prepare them for the transition from the world
“Spain has the highest life expectancy for men and
of study to that of work.
women in the European Union, which is wonderful
Based on two campuses in the cities of León
but creates issues of how to care for the needs of
and Ponferrada, the university is also committed
people as they grow older.” The university leads
to building international links. Around 400 León
the field in finding solutions to combat issues
students have already travelled abroad for one
connected with ageing such as social exclusion
or more academic years and the university has
and immobility.
received some 350 overseas students.
It’s just one example of León’s success not
“We may not be the most obvious destination
only in increasing understanding and knowledge,
for foreigners,” admits Jose Luis. “But we’ve been
but also in applying that knowledge to the real
successful in establishing a busy international
world. And, in doing so, providing its students
programme through Erasmus, the European
with a direct link to the world of industry.
CAMBRIDGE: INSPIRING LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
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