UKCISA Conference
Sessions F - Friday 1 July, 9.40-10.55pm
F1. Migration or study?: comparing UK & Australia since 2000
The Australian decision in 2001 to promote international students as onshore applicants for permanent migration initiated a period of unprecedented migration resulting in international students becoming the number one migration category. This period of migration prosperity had declined a decade later when it became apparent that the migration needs of Australia were not being met as the policy intended, and many education providers faced dramatic falls in enrolments into 2010. This period of migration-led international education is contrasted with the corresponding policy settings in the UK over the same period and some lessons to be learnt from the Australian experience are highlighted.
Presenters: Peter Spolc, ISANA: International Education Association/University of Western Sydney
F2. Tier 4 Visa decision making – efficient, effective and fair? (repeated as G3)
The Independent Chief Inspector ensures independent scrutiny of the UK Border Agency, providing confidence and assurance as to its efficiency and effectiveness.
As part of the Chief Inspector's programme of work, overseas UK Border Agency visa sections are regularly inspected to determine if decision making is:
- efficient, effective and fair; and
- in accordance with relevant Immigration Rules and UK Border Agency policy and guidance.
Attendees will gain valuable insight into how Tier 4 visa decision making has been managed overseas and the impact this has had on students and UK educational establishments.
Presenter: Garry Cullen, Office of the Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency
F3. Introduction to the OIA for International Student Advisors
This presentation is aimed at staff who help guide students through the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) procedures and need to manage their expectations. Delegates will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the role and remit of the OIA, to discover how the OIA looks at complaints and to discuss common themes in complaints and appeals, particularly those relating to international students. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
Presenters: Zoë Babb and Tanya Kynaston, Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education
F4. Exerting your influence: responding to policy developments affecting international students
Those working in international education are directly affected (and often frustrated) by changes in legislation and government policy. This session will provide and opportunity to explore how you can contribute to debates and influence your institution's responses to government consultations and proposals. How can you encourage your institution to respond? What forces can you muster to strengthen your message? Are we limited to responding to formal policy consultations?
For experienced practicioners.
Presenter: Ian MacLellan, University of Stirling
F5. International student integration - the sheffield experience
This session will outline the International Student Integration project recently undertaken at the University of Sheffield. Research findings will be presented along with an overview of the project outcomes including sustainability. The session will also provide participants the opportunity to share good practice from their own institutions and look towards innovative ways of enhancing integration across the sector.
The session aims to- enhance understanding and interest around international student integration
- increase awareness about the importance of UK students in integration initiatives
- share good practice with colleagues from around the country
- discuss ideas and initiatives for enhancing international student integration further
Presenters: Kathryn Axon & Audrey Leadley, The University of Sheffield
F6. International student support in multi-campus institutions
Presenters from two institutions with different organisational models will share their experiences of supporting international students in a multi-campus context. This session is aimed at all practitioners and managers of international student support, but may be particularly relevant for those operating similarly from more than one site.
The session will include consideration of the issues including:- how to ensure consistency and quality control of support measures for all students across different campuses
- strategic, organisational and operational challenges of service delivery across multiple sites
- different institutional models for coordinating key PBS tasks, such as CAS production; reporting responsibilities; immigration advice etc, over several campuses
- practicalities and good practice in managing casework in different campus locations, including preserving confidentiality.
Presenters: Jennifer Raper & Polly Penter, King's College London and Ruth Newman, University of Kent Students' Union
F7. Cancelled
F8. Developing and co-ordinating your Meet & Greet service
How Oxford Brookes University has drawn from past experience of previous intuitions, and from student and staff helpers to enable us to establish a new and successful Meet & Greet service. We aim to share with you our previous service, and how we developed and coordinated the new one. This will be a highly interactive session, with contributions from participants. By the end of this session you will have an insight into what makes a successful Meet & Greet service.
Presenters: Nahid Tonge & Sally Saca, Oxford Brookes University
F9. Supporting gay international students
Around 22,000 international students studying in the UK are likely to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, according to Home Office figures, and in October 2010 the Equality Challenge Unit published the UK's first ever information and advice for staff supporting LGBT international students. This session uses the ECU's guide as a starting point to look at why support staff need to be aware of the issues, and how to make your service more inclusive.
Presenters: Andrew Humphrey, SOAS, University of London & Chris Hall, ECU
F10. Finding your voice
Your voice is one of your most important assets. Whether you are addressing several hundred students during orientation week, fighting for resources at a budget meeting, dealing with an angry parent on the telephpone or being interviewed for a new job to get you away from it all, how you use your voice matters. It matters not only in terms of how well you communicate and achieve your objectives but also in terms of how much physical and mental stress you experience during your work and how you will feel at the end of the day. Helen, who is a qualified speech and drama teacher, will lead an exciting workshop on how to make your voice work for you, with lenty of opportunities to practice.
Presenter: Helen Clews, British Council
↑ Back to top