Wednesday 27 June, 3.45 - 4.45pm
A1: Home Office update (repeated as B4)
Category: Immigration
UK Visas and Immigration will present the latest developments affecting the education sector. This will include changes to in-country application services and how the Home Office is working with the newly established Office for Students. There will be plenty of time for discussion with UKVI staff and delegates will be encouraged to share their experiences of working with UKVI; in particular, UKVI are keen to gain feedback about operating a Tier 4 sponsor licence to build into future service improvements.
Presenters:
Steve Fisher, Acting Head of Sponsorship, Home Office;
Carly Gil, Tier 4 Operations, Home Office;
Paul Jeffrey, Head of Student Policy, Home Office
A2: Viva La Visa! Developing an online module to facilitate successful visa applications
Category: Immigration
In 2017 City, University of London trialled an online, compulsory pre-CAS module to instruct new students on the Tier 4 visa requirements. Over 3,000 students took the module, and the visa refusal rate subsequently dropped by over 50% on the previous year.
The session focuses on how the module was implemented and delivered, including the challenges that faced during the process, how the Advice and Compliance teams at City worked together to achieve the final result, and what was learned from the first year.
The session will include a presentation and interactive group activities.
It will be useful for anyone involved in immigration advice or compliance looking for innovative ways of instructing large groups of students on the visa process.
Presenters: Polly Penter, International Advice Manager, City, University of London; Jelena Culum, Visa Compliance Manager, City, University of London
Polly currently manages the International Advice team at City, University of London, and has 13 years' experience supporting and advising international students at a number of institutions. She is especially interested in enhancing the student experience and has visited a number of institutions around the world in search of innovative ways to support students. She is also a member of the AISA executive.
Jelena Culum has more than 10 years of experience in international students’ recruitment, immigration compliance and advice. She spent a significant amount of time devising strategies for change whether this is in persuading and encouraging staff members to adopt the new policy, use a new system, follow new procedure etc. She is currently working as a Visa Compliance Manager at City, University of London. She is also a member of UKCISA Finance and General Purposes Committee.
A3: Staff-student partnerships and Group work activities with LEGO® Serious Play: reflections on UKCISA-funded projects.
Category: Student experience
This joint session by Durham University and University of Strathclyde focuses on staff-student relationships following their UKCISA-funded pilot projects.
Staff-student partnerships and Group work activities: The English Language Centre (ELC) at Durham University ran a UKCISA pilot project in 2017.
The objective of the project was to improve an academic writing course: however, enhanced curriculum/materials were not the only outcomes. The international students described life-changing skills that they had learnt or improved, as well as the positive effects that the project has had on their attitudes towards their UK studies. Staff participants also gathered fascinating insights that will irrevocably change their views of international students. Both staff and student lives were indeed changed for good, demonstrating the benefits of working in partnership.
The session will appeal to administrative and support staff as well as to academic support staff working with international students. It will help delegates reflect on how the findings could impact work with international students.
LEGO® Serious Play: Delegates will learn the outcomes of the University of Strathclyde’s UKCISA-funded research project. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage hands on with the LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) methodology and be supported in exploring how they might apply it to their context.
The session is aimed at any staff involved in providing advice to students including those in professional services roles. It will offer individual support to allow individuals to examine how they might apply LSP in their own context to enhance the student experience.
Presenters: Terri Edwards, Assistant Professor (teaching), Durham University; Suzanne Faulkner, Teaching Fellow, University of Strathclyde
Terri Edwards is a full-time teacher of English for Academic Purposes at Durham University. Most, but not all, of her students are international students. She is also studying part-time for an EdD.
Suzanne is an award-winning teaching fellow in prosthetics and orthotics within the department of biomechanical engineering. Suzanne is a qualified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator who uses the methodology regularly with her students. She also undertakes research and external consultancy using LEGO® Serious Play®.
A4: Tier 1 Exceptional Talent: a well-kept secret?
Category: Immigration
The International Student Support Team is responsible for running the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme at Imperial College London. Their experience has shown that the two years under the scheme does not always sufficiently prepare graduates and their businesses to transition into the main Entrepreneur route, and the Exceptional Talent Scheme provides a viable alternative for some graduates.
This session will detail the requirements of the Exceptional Talent Scheme and include case studies of Imperial graduates who have been granted a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa. This session will be of interest to staff wanting to understand more about the requirements of the Exceptional Talent route.
Presenter: Christian Adams, International Student Adviser, Imperial College London
Christian has worked as an International Student Adviser for more than eight years. In addition to working in a busy office advising students on Tier 4 issues he also manages the Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme at Imperial College and is currently the Chair of the AISA South East and London region group.
A5: The student voice: Scottish student panel
Category: Student experience
In celebration of the conference theme, Changing Lives For Good, students from across central Scotland will talk about their experience of living and studying in Scotland, followed by Q&A. What works well? What have been the challenges? What next? This is a great opportunity to set aside the usual task of support and problem-solving to just listen to what students have to say about what it’s like to be an international student in the UK in 2018.
Chair: Yinbo Yu, International Students' Officer, National Union of Students
Student Panel:
Jie Zhang is a doctoral researcher in the School of Education at the University of Glasgow. Her research interests include international students, higher education, transitional experience, social networks and creative methods. More specifically, her current research examines Chinese postgraduate taught students' transitional experience in the UK and the role of social networks.
Chelsea Raymond is a PhD student at the University of Stirling. Chelsea grew up in California and after graduating with a degree in biological science from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2012, Chelsea moved to New York to study social work at Columbia University. Chelsea came to the UK on a US-UK Fulbright Scholarship to study a second Masters at the University of Stirling in Sports Psychology which led her to her research in the ethics of care in youth sport. Closely linked to her academic interests, Chelsea has a passion for football; playing it and also in how it can bring people together. You can read more on University of Stirling Student News.
Maria Divya Sahayaselvan is currently pursuing MSc Forensic Science at the University of Strathclyde. Originally from India, she opted for a university in Scotland for her Masters due to the standards and the accreditation the Scottish universities acquire. ‘The qualities of Scotland and its universities are noteworthy,’ Maria says, and ‘the courses here are well balanced especially life science courses. In addition to the prestigious universities, Scotland is known for its breath-taking attractions. I was lucky to visit a few tourist attractions while I was here and I immensely enjoyed them.’
Vanessa Ombura is a MasterCard Foundation scholar and Civil Engineering undergraduate student at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in the sustainable coexistence of societies. Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya at a time of an accelerating technological change, most of her extra-curricular activities in school were about using new technologies to implement positive social change in her community. This inspired her to study Civil Engineering, due to both its interdisciplinary focus and the large-scale impacts infrastructure has.
A6: The perfect Tier 4 student file (FULL) (repeated as B7)
Category: Immigration compliance
Preparing student files for presentation is key to a successful HEAT inspection. But what does the perfect file look like?
The aim of this session is to help identify how best to prepare, keep updated and present Tier 4 student files. Practical advice and assistance will be offered on what the file requirements are and how best to present them to be successful at inspection.
This involves consideration of how best to evidence:
- Paper or electronic files;
- appendix D documents;
- credibility assessments;
- right to study documents;
- study cap and academic progression; and
- attendance data.
You will also have an opportunity in groups to work through example student files, picking out what you think is wrong, right and best practice. You will also have an chance to pull together the perfect student file and receive helpful and constructive feedback on your efforts.
Presenters: Esyllt Martin, Paralegal, Eversheds Sutherland LLP; Maire Gibbs-Jones, Registry Manager, Policy and Compliance, University of Leicester
Maire Gibbs-Jones is currently the Registry Manager of Policy and Compliance at the University of Leicester. She has many years’ worth of experience and knowledge of Tier 4 compliance at all levels. She regularly takes part in project boards and presentations with the goal of improving the experience of international students in UK universities. Maire has practical experience of the logistics; time constraints and the level of scrutiny required to prepare Tier 4 student files for inspection.
A7: Nottingham Trent University and Trinity College Dublin: how to enhance the student experience with a ‘Global Lounge’
Category: Student experience
This session features presentations by Trinity College Dublin and Nottingham Trent University, focusing on creating a global space within a university to integrate international and home students.
Trinity College Dublin:
This presentation will focus on the development of Trinity College Dublin's Global Room initiative which began in 2012. The Global Room is a student support and event space, with a focus on the international student community. The activities and events in this multi-functional space encourage and facilitate students to meet and connect in a way that contributes to positive integration of all students at Trinity.
Objectives
• Learn about the development, aims and objectives of the Global Room
• Theory of internationalisation at home and student integration as a key factor
• Overview of activities and events showcasing student and wider college community engagement
• How to do something similar in your institution
Nottingham Trent University’s award-winning Global Lounges are at the heart of the university’s internationalisation at home strategy. They are multi-functional spaces for UK and international (including EU) students and staff that promote integration and sharing of cultures and languages, as well as offering a range of opportunities for students to develop into global citizens.
Join this session to meet the staff who set up and manage the Global Lounges, hear their story on how they started, the challenges they faced, and their tips on setting up your own Global Lounge.
The presenters will share some ‘quick win’ ideas which you can take straight back to your institution. This session will consist of a presentation, discussion involving participants, and the sharing of best practice.
Presenters: Louise Staunton, International Student Experience and Global Officer Manager, Trinity College Dublin; Dr Cheryl Rounsaville, Global Student Experience Manager, Nottingham Trent University
Louise Staunton joined Trinity College Dublin in 2016 as International Student Experience and Global Officer Manager where she coordinates and manages projects to support and develop the international student experience. She was previously Programme and Training Manager at the Irish Council for International Students and developed intercultural skills training courses specifically for the HE sector. She is the author of an intercultural skills training guide for higher education staff, Diverse Voices: Intercultural Awareness and Student Support Training Guide (ICOS: 2015).
Dr Cheryl Rounsaville has worked for Nottingham Trent University since April 2013, first as their Internationalisation Coordinator and in early 2016, with the establishment of the NTU Global team, was made Global Student Experience Manager. She has experience supporting international students as well as managing on and off-campus international opportunities for students.
A8: ‘We all have the same difficult minds’; teaching mindfulness to international students CANCELLED
Category: Student experience
Bangor University Counselling Service received a grant from UKCISA to run an eight week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course (MBSR) for international students during the academic year 2017-18.
Mindfulness is a skill that can have lifelong benefits, and bridges many cultures.
In this presentation participants will have the opportunity to:
• Learn about mindfulness, and the benefits it can offer to international students
• Experience a short mindfulness practice
• Hear about how the MBSR course was organised and run
• Hear about how the participants evaluated the course both from qualitative and quantitative perspectives
• Hear about the Counselling Service and the International Office working together
• Consider whether this project offers a model for using mindfulness training more widely with international students
Presenter: Sue Williams, Counsellor and Mindfulness Teacher, Bangor University
Sue Williams is a trained, qualified and experienced Counsellor and Mindfulness Teacher. She works in the Counselling Service at the University of Bangor, and is responsible for the development and delivery of the Service's extensive groups and workshops programme.
A9: Perspectives on EU: a discussion forum
Category: Student experience
This session provides an opportunity for delegates to discuss concerns being raised by current EU students, concerns of potential students and consider how delegates are supporting EU students during this period of uncertainty.
What further assurances might be requested or required from institutions or government as we move towards and through the transition period?
Bethan Ovens will lead the session and there will be plenty of time for group discussion on how we establish new policies on EU students and what best practice in EU student support might look like.
Presenter: Bethan Ovens, International Student Visa Advice Manager, The London School of Economics and Political Science
Bethan is the manager of the International Student Visa Advice Team at LSE. She also manages the School's Erasmus provision and has recently taken on a Warden role in a postgraduate hall of residence. She has been working in the HE sector for more than 10 years in a variety of roles and has been an immigration specialist since 2008. She has written on the issue of EU students for LSE http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/75724/
A10: The international Muslim student journey
Category: Special interest
The religion of Islam is a complete way of life for many Muslims, and the combination of transition to study in the UK and adhering to the faith can be challenging for both students and universities.
Based on practical experience at two very different universities, Muslim Chaplains from the Universities of Salford and Leeds will provide insights into how these challenges have been addressed.
It will explore some key topics to help colleagues respond confidently to the needs of Muslim students to enable them to have a better sense of belonging and so enhance their student experience.
Areas covered will include worship, culture shock, segregation, social activities, faith support, interfaith dialogue through unity work, etc. There will be plenty of opportunities to share experience and solutions. In the current political climate, Muslim students face a unique set of challenges; this is an opportunity to help make their study journey transformative.
Presenters: Farhat Yaqoob, Muslim Chaplain, University of Leeds; Rashid Musa, Muslim Chaplain, University of Salford
Farhat Yaqoob is the Muslim Chaplain at the University of Leeds. Currently working across departments and services focusing on spiritual wellbeing, critical response, student mentoring and community building across the whole campus. Her academic journey covers the traditional media and multimedia disciplines.
Imam Rashid Musa, a graduate from Madinah University with two degrees: Islamic studies and a PGCE, which gives him a strong insight into the educational culture of the Middle East. In addition, he has obtained a Masters Degree in Comparative Religion from the University of Manchester. Imam Rashid has worked in Higher Education since 1995 and is currently the Muslim Chaplain at the University of Salford, where he has developed the first Muslim Chaplains' Network for the North West of UK.
A11: Hate hate crime? How KeeleSU and Keele University are tackling hate crime and online harassment
Category: Student experience
The session will explain how this HEFCE-funded project is tackling the issue of hate crime and online harassment of international students post-Brexit on and off campus. It will discuss how this initiative can transform the lives of those experiencing hate crime and how it can be replicated in delegates' institutions.
It will bring unique insight from students from key liberation groups and considering intersectionality.
The session will provide information and guidance and group activities to look at local resolutions. Delegates will be able to look at the cost and benefit of being a local hate crime reporting centre as well as hopefully test proposed reporting mechanisms being piloted as part of the project.
The session is aimed at colleagues working in student support, student experience, student advice, student officers or residential support.
Presenter: Fay Harris, Head of Student Voice & Advocacy, KeeleSU
Fay is the Head of Student Voice and Advocacy at KeeleSU. She is responsible for Advice and Support at Keele, an advice service which delivers a range of advice including immigration advice, a Jobshop service and Student Voice. Fay co-wrote ‘Investigation of International Students’ Perception of ‘Community’ in a British Higher Education Institute’ for the Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice and has previously had a UKCISA grant to help international students arriving outside the main welcome weeks. Fay is a member of NASMA and is a qualified Mental Health First Aid trainer.
Fay is currently managing a HEFCE funded project to deal specifically with tackling hate crime and online harassment on campus.
