UKCISA Conference 2010:
Parallel sessions B, Monday 12 July, 4.15-5.00pm
B1. 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
B2. U-CAN through UCAS: resources and changes affecting the international student application journey
This session will highlight the new and established resources for international applicants searching for UK higher education courses and briefly review the basic tenets of the UCAS system. In addition, current and upcoming UCAS system changes will be discussed.
Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback on how UCAS can assist international audiences in their journey into UK higher education.
The session aims to:
- inform participants of established and new resources international applicants can access when researching UK higher education courses
- inform institution representatives the ways can inform international applicants about resources available to them through UCAS resources
- learn about changes to the UCAS system affecting international audiences
- generically hear about UCAS involvement in the wider sector
- gather feedback from the sector on how to improve UCAS’ service for international audiences
Presenter: Irene Finlayson, UCAS
B3. Making connections: enhancing international students’ integration with their UK peers
This session will present the findings of a PMI Pilot Project-funded initiative that aimed to enhance the integration of international and home students.
The session will present the research results from email surveys, focus groups and observational studies, and will discuss some of the ‘integrative’ activities that were piloted at UEA as a result of the research findings. It aims to:
- enhance participants’ understanding of the attitudes of international, EU and home students to social integration and of its impact on the UK higher education experience
- enhance participant’s understanding of the benefits of improved integration between student groups
- stimulate discussion about effective ways of promoting social integration
Presenters: Annie Grant & Jane Amos, UEA
↑ Back to topB4. The international student experience – more than just academic learning
This session will provide an insight into using multimedia and online technologies to produce an information and learning resource for international students (a PMI2 pilot project). This resource demonstrates the potential benefits of involvement in extra-curricular activities, including: work placements; volunteering; HOST visits; Students’ Union activities; clubs and societies; and community activities. It encourages prospective and current international students to take advantage of these activities in order to enjoy a more rounded higher education experience.
The session will cover the project rationale, the production process, the lessons learnt, and will include a chance for delegates to view the final product. It aims to:
- demonstrate the rationale behind our choice of technologies
- outline the process of designing and producing a multi-media resource, including overcoming various challenges
- share the results of our impact evaluation
- demonstrate the finished product and invite comments from delegates on how they might use such a resource
- encouraging international students to get involved in a wider range of university experiences;
- considering the potential of using multimedia and online technology for delivering information and learning;
- the broader process of putting together such a resource;
- reflecting on how they might use this resource within their own institution.
Presenters: Martin Pennington, Matt Mobbs and Katrina Abatis/Julia Coats, University of Leicester
↑ Back to topB5. Monitoring and reducing international student withdrawals: lessons from US universities
What can be learned from best practice in American universities with regard to monitoring the reasons for and reducing the numbers of International students who withdraw from their courses before completing their degrees?
This session will iInvestigate the role International Student Offices can play in the monitoring and preventing such withdrawals by taking an active part in the student experience and by communicating with other involved parties at the University.
During the academic year International Student Offices assist and advise on immigration and visas as well as on many other subjects related to International student’s lives in the UK. Despite this, each year, a number of international students withdraw from their course before completing their degree. To this extent they have not been successful, they have not achieved their study goals. By effectively monitoring and collecting data on the reasons for withdrawal it may be possible to act on these in order to reduce the number who do not complete their courses. Students can of course withdraw for a number of reasons – often beyond their own control. There may, however, be situations where timely support or assistance from the International Student Office could help, enable or encourage a student to continue with their studies and succeed.
This session is aimed at International Student Advisors and all employers who are interested in monitoring international student withdrawals before students complete their courses.
Presenter: Adriana Crear, University of Surrey
↑ Back to topB6. ‘Business Networking’: an interactive ‘forum theatre’ approach to developing employability and social networking skills
We have delivered three highly successful and engaging workshops to develop employability, business and social networking skills with international students. Using the innovative ‘forum theatre’ technique we have encouraged students to be active participants. This innovative approach involved actors delivering these skill building workshops.
Students then had the opportunity to practise their networking skills during an informal lunch with employers immediately following the workshops. During the plenary session the employers provided informal feedback on students’ networking skills and were prepared to negotiate follow up support to students.
This workshop will highlight the format that we used, the preparations involved, student and employer feedback and our own reflections on the project. The session aims to provide an insight into delivering ‘Business Networking’ workshops using forum theatre techniques.
It is suitable for Careers Services, International Student Advisers and Employers who are interested in supporting international students as they prepare to enter a competitive job market.
Presenters: Diane Edmonds and Gary Brown, Glasgow Caledonian University
↑ Back to topB7. ‘Home away from home’: astudent centred support group model and project for isolated newly arrived international students
This presentation will describe the project undertaken at SOAS as part of the PMI2 initiative.
The focus of the project was the development an international student centred support group to promote communication and wellbeing, assist students to access support and information, aid self help and reduce isolation for vulnerable newly arrived international students.
The session will present how the project evolved, what seemed to work well and aspects that needed modification.
The presentation will propose an adaptable model, including a framework for the support group, a student centred self help fact sheet and recommendations for development and delivery methods.
Aim: to present a support group model for international students.
Objectives:
- To describe a possible model for developing a support group for vulnerable newly arrived international students
- To give participants an opportunity to ask questions in the context of their own experience of addressing the needs of this student population
Presenter: Sachiko Kishi, SOAS University of London
↑ Back to topB8. Encouraging internationalisation and enhancing the study abroad experience (Singapore & Hong Kong)
At Hong Kong University and National University of Singapore up to 20% of undergraduate students undertake Study Abroad modules – far higher than at most UK institutions.
This session looks at how Study Abroad opportunities are encouraged and marketed at HKU and NUS, and explores the experience offered to Study Abroad students at these institutions in terms of pre-arrival information, orientation and ongoing support, facilities and activities.
The session aims to share good practice and ideas which could contribute to the Study Abroad activities offered by UK institutions, both incoming and outgoing, and encourage both students from those institutions to choose the UK for Study Abroad programmes, as well as encouraging UK students to consider HKU and NUS when going abroad.
Presenter: Polly Penter, King’s College London
↑ Back to topB9. 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.
B10. UKCISA Advice 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.
↑ Back to topB11. Dipping your toes into immigration appeals
(Repeated as F4)
The session will cover UEL advisers’ experiences with challenging immigration decisions and supporting students with immigration appeals.
Including:
- expanding knowledge of the Appeals System
- different approaches to challenging decisions
- advising and supporting students on Appeals as an OISC level 2 adviser
- real case studies
- sharing our experiences of challenging decisions and supporting students with immigration appeals
- enabling participants to develop their own confidence in appeals work and take a dip
Suitable for: OISC level 2 and experienced advisers.
Presenters: Niru Williams, Lynsey Berrecloth and John Kayan, University of East London
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