Parallel sessions A - Monday 12 July, 3.05-3.50pm

A1. Association of International Student Advisers (AISA) networking session

This ‘speed-networking’ session will enable advisers to make useful contacts and share best practice. It is also an opportunity to meet the AISA Executive members and find out more about AISA and how AISA can support you.

Suitable for: all international student advisers, AISA members old and new, potential AISA members and those new to the UKCISA conference.

Presenters: members of the AISA Executive Committee

A2. Volunteering to integrate: how volunteering can aid international student integration into the host culture

The University of Warwick has one of the largest student-led volunteering organisations in UK HE. For our international students – 34% of our student body – volunteering has an important role to play in integrating them into the host culture, and especially the local community. 45% of our volunteers are international students, and this session will report their views on their experiences, as well as explain how Warwick places volunteering within the student experience as a whole, starting with a taster session on the Orientation programme.

The session will provide:

• an understanding of the role of volunteering at Warwick and how it fits with the student experience
• a briefing on Warwick Volunteers – project themes, staff roles, student roles
• some successful examples of international student volunteering such as the added value that international students can bring to the local community (eg language and culture-based projects) as well as the benefits for students - including their studies, skills development, social benefits – which all support integration
• a discussion on additional ways of integrating international students into host cultures

This session is likely to interest anyone involved in international student support and student volunteering.

Presenters: Sue Bennett & Stephen Williams, University of Warwick

A3. Missing in action

Sometimes students go missing from the university, often because they are unable to cope but on occasion because they are ill or even detained.

The university chaplains play a key role in making direct contact with these students and liaising with the university welfare services and the tutors. In exceptional circumstances where a student cannot be traced they will contact the family or the police.

‘Missing in Action’ is part of the services provided by the university chaplains, along with ‘Home from Home’ and ‘Heart to Heart’.

An opportunity to hear one institution’s procedures for helping lost students and to share ideas. Suitable for: advisers and other staff concerned with the welfare of students

Presenters, Jane Bland & Louise Walton, University of Greenwich

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A4. Engaging international alumni in the support of current international students career development.

Warwick received PMI2 funding in Autumn 2009 to define best practice (in the UK and internationally) on how the immensely valuable resource of international alumni could be channelled to provide meaningful, practical support to current international students in their career decisions and, ultimately, their employability.

The session aim is to present a view on best practice and a variety of innovative approaches to linking - and working with – international alumni for the benefit of both current international students and institutions.

Specific topics will be:

• results of focus groups considering the needs and priorities of international students
• findings from Warwick alumni survey, relating to how they can contribute for the benefit of current students
• best practice as identified within HEIs within and outside the UK
• case studies to illustrate findings

This will be of interest to any institution with an international student body looking to enhance its offering to current students while maximising the value and experience of its international alumni.

Presenters: Susie Cleverly, Project Officer, University of Warwick

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A5. Developing alumni links and online networks to support international student employability

The University of Manchester has been exploring the use of online networks, alumni links and interactive resources to support the development of international students’ employability. As part of a PMI2 funded project the university has developed new initiatives including forums, web-chats, LiveGuidance technology, online networks and mentoring groups to build links between staff, current students and international employers and alumni.

This session will demonstrate the resources and explore any issues encountered during their development. This session aims to:

• cemonstrate the range of new initiatives developed including webchats, liveguidance and forums
• ciscuss any issues with development and implementation
• explore best practice with online resource development
• demonstrate how the resources have been pulled together create international employability zones for 4 key country groups

This is an introductory session and does not require any previous expertise working with international students. It is particularly targeted to international careers advisers and anyone working closely with international students on employability and careers issues.

Presenter: Amanda Conway, University of Manchester

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A6. The use of international student career development video-casts and case studies

This session will demonstrate the PMI2-funded online and DVD case studies that we have developed at Newcastle and will discuss the lessons that we learned from producing and marketing this resource and the issues arising from the project generally.

The session will be interactive, allowing participants to share best practice. We will explore the balance between encouraging international students and graduates through demonstrating others’ success and being realistic in our messages without being negative or discouraging. The session aims:

• to share positive case studies of positive role models
• to consider how to balance positive encouragement with realism
• to share best practice in terms of the use of case studies

It is suitable for anyone working with international students.

Presenter: David Levinson, Newcastle University

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A7. A window into US immigration for international students

This short session will highlight observations from two 2009/10 PMI2 funded Overseas Study Visits that each reported on responses to the implementation of SEVIS, the US Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program, by US higher education institutions. During their study visits the presenters sought to identify best practice by exploring the following questions:

• How were processes and practices implemented and reviewed after initial launch?
• How were the interactions between distinct university administrative areas influenced and what, if any, services developed?
• What emergent problems and solutions could be highlighted to PBS project managers?
• What types of immigration advice provision is delivered by what mode and to what timeframes?
• How do the university and the individual advisor balance their compliance responsibilities?
• What were international students' views on SEVIS?
• How was the quality of the international student experience maintained?

The aim of the session is to borrow and share best practice with any staff involved in the implementation and dissemination of advice to international applicants or students.

The key objectives of the session are to outline:

• parallels between SEVIS and PBS implementation
• the pivotal role that those advising international students play, and how those roles have evolved
• systems and processes that have developed for student marshalling and tracking
• detail and innovations in delivery of mass services

Target audience is any education professional that advises applicants or students who are in the pipeline of their institution. Particular attention will be paid to ideas for organisations with over 1000 enrolled international students.

Presenters: Rachael Elliott, INTO UEA London & Heather Robson, University of Warwick

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A8. Endsleigh Insurance Surgery

Endsleigh Insurance will provide a series of short talks about the services they provide. Find out more about their products for both institutions and students. This will include a short presentation on fees cover, medical cover and travel insurance.

A9. UKCISA surgery

There will be an opportunity to sign up on site for a 10 minute one-to-one slot with one of UKCISA's Advice & Training Team, if you are currently dealing with a student-related issue and want a brief discussion about relevant regulations and procedures. This option cannot be booked prior to arrival at conference.

A10. Continuing your professional development

Attending the UKCISA is a great opportunity for developing your skills and knowledge, but what opportunities are there during the rest of the year? This session will include presentations on:

• UKCISA's new PMI-supported online learning materials for staff who are New to International Work
• Edge Hill University's MA/PGDip/PGCert in the Management of International Higher Education
• University of Northampton's PGCert in Improving the International Student Experience

This session is for anyone interested in gaining further qualifications themselves, or finding out about opportunities for developing the staff they manage.

Presenters: Dave Burnapp, University of Northampton, David Law, Edge Hill University and Beatrice Merrick, UKCISA

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