International Exeter

establishing a

globalstanding

internationalisation strategy

establishing a

globalstanding

For over 150 years

the University of

Exeter has helped

shape the future of our

nation by extending

the boundaries of

knowledge.

establishing a

globalstanding

Our vision today is to

be a leading international

university, recognised for the

quality of our global research

and the distinctive student

experience we offer.

ContentsForeword 2

Strategic Goals 3

International Research: 4

Meeting the Global Challenges

The International Student Experience 8

International Exeter and the City of Exeter 12

International Partnerships 17

Our links with South East Asia 18

Our links with the Arab World 20

Our Future Engagement 22

Mitigating International Risks 24

Our International Alumni 27


establishing a

globalstanding

The new decade finds the University in a stronger and more secure

position than ever before. Our improvement in national league tables and

the latest Research Assessment Exercise has ranked us in the Times Good

University Guide Top 10 universities in the UK. We do not intend to rest

on our laurels. Our ambition now is to be recognised as a world Top 100

university by 2015.

To help achieve this, £270 million is being invested in new facilities over the

next three years. These investments will take us even closer to providing a

world-class environment, thus serving as a statement about our reputation and

global ambition.

But internationalisation ultimately requires investment in people and

our new Strategy – ‘International Exeter’ – will create imaginative and

attractive opportunities for students and staff to experience the benefits of

internationalisation across our three campuses. This document encapsulates not

only our current international strengths but our vision for the future – a Strategy

to ensure that internationalisation plays an even greater role in our academic and

cultural life.

If international is to permeate everything we do, we need a structure to

facilitate it. For the first time the University has a Deputy Vice-Chancellor for

Internationalisation – Professor Neil Armstrong. A new Director of International

Exeter, Dr Shaun Curtis, has been appointed to deliver the Strategy itself. With

colleagues in the International Office they will engage with staff across our new

College structure, rolling out a series of exciting initiatives in the years ahead.

I hope this document gives you an insight as to our ambition.

Professor Steve Smith AcSSVice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

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“It is a globalised world and for

reasons of stability and growth we have

to learn to understand one another.

What better preparation can you

imagine than going to a university in

which you encounter people from many

different cultures?”

Professor Steve Smith Vice-Chancellor ‘Universities and Globalisation’, Dubai, April 2009

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Strategic Goals of International Exeter • To establish the University of Exeter as a university of global standing

• To create imaginative and attractive opportunities to improve the student

experience in an environment that recognises and celebrates cultural diversity

• To build and sustain partnerships with top-quality research-intensive institutions

around the world

• To increase the number of international students taking programmes at the

University, while ensuring an appropriate balance by nationality, level and

programme

• To provide for University staff an enriched working environment, characterised

by the opportunity to incorporate an increased international dimension to their

experience

• To develop lifelong relationships with our International alumni

• To implement an effective global communications programme, aimed at partner

institutions, key stakeholders and opinion-makers

Our Internationalisation Strategy overlaps with the University’s two other core

strategies, Education and Research. This integrated approach will enable us to embed

internationalisation across our campuses for the benefit of all.

establishing a

globalstanding

International Research: Meeting the Global Challenges

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In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), nearly 90%

of our research was rated as being at internationally recognised levels.

Many of our areas of research expertise focus on some of the most fundamental issues

facing the world today. We believe that the future of research lies in breaking down some

of the traditional barriers between academic disciplines, so that the bigger problems of the

21st century can be considered from human as well as physical perspectives.

In 2010 we undertook a restructuring of our academic Schools and departments into

six large Colleges, bringing together physical and human resource to encourage further

interdisciplinary and international research. Our Internationalisation Strategy will support

faculty within the new College structure to deepen levels of collaboration with the world’s

leading research universities.

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Researchers across our Colleges are attempting to discover answers to some of the

most internationally important questions of our time:

• How quickly is the Earth heating up due to climate change?

• Can science help solve the world food crisis?

• How can we better understand the nature and dynamics of conflict over states

and territories?

• Are there new planets to be discovered on the edge of the Solar System?

• How can we better understand, treat and prevent such common health problems as

diabetes, obesity, stress-related illness and depression?

As part of an £80 million investment into our new Science Strategy we will appoint

senior academics to enhance our international research reputation in key areas.

By 2015 we will have increased the number of our faculty from 650 to almost

1,000 – recruiting talent wherever it is found across the globe.

“Universities are more likely to

be successful if they have a large

number of international research

collaborations. No one institution or

country has all the answers to the

global challenges we face. To be a

leading university you need to have

an international dimension to your

work. If a university is not having

a worldwide impact then it cannot

claim to be leading.”

Professor Neil ArmstrongDeputy Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation)‘Exeter’s Engagement with India’, Bangalore, February 2010


establishing a

globalstanding

“We are committed to providing

an internationally-based environment

that fosters an understanding of

and a respect for difference. Our

student community is diverse,

with participation from different

cultures and backgrounds and it is

our collective view that diversity can

promote an excellent learning and

social experience, and prepare all our

students for a future world of work

that is global.”

Professor Janice KaySenior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)

‘University of Exeter Education Strategy 2010-2015’

The International Student Experience

Our reputation for teaching, research and an outstanding student experience makes

Exeter an increasingly attractive international destination. Our international enrolments

for 2009/10 were up 47%. International enrolments to our preparatory university

programmes at INTO University of Exeter were up 46%.

We now have over 4,000 international students from over 130 countries, and our

Internationalisation Strategy aims to grow the number of non-EU students to 20% of

the student population by 2015. With success comes responsibility, which is why our

Internationalisation Strategy commits us to make strenuous efforts to diversify our student

body further – by country, level, programme and College.

In the most recent survey of the International Student Barometer almost nine out

of ten of our international students said that they would recommend Exeter as a place

to study.

The University has an enviable reputation for what we call ‘the Exeter

experience’. We are ranked 4th among comprehensive universities in

the National Student Survey. Institutionally we have never been out

of the Top 10 and our Business School has been first for the last four

consecutive years.

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Our internationalisation investment is aimed at our British students too. There will

be more opportunities for study and work abroad and we will internationalise the

curriculum through the Education Strategy. We will aim to offer every student the

possibility of spending a part of their degree programme abroad with one of our 150

student-exchange partners across the globe.

We have over 300 students engaged in a variety of Erasmus placements (study, work or

language assistants) in over 20 different European countries. Recognising the importance

of the European Higher Education Area, we have taken steps to ensure Exeter is

Bologna-compliant. We issue Diploma Supplements and use the European Credit

Transfer System, and we promote staff and student mobility in line with the Bologna

Process as identified in the Leuven/Louvain La Neuve communiqué of April 2009.

In 2009 we inaugurated a new Study Abroad opportunity, when 20 of our students,

supported by grants from the Prime Minister’s Initiative, attended a month-long

programme at our partner institution, the China University of Political Science and Law

in Beijing. In 2010 we will host our inaugural International Summer School at Exeter

where students from partner institutions around the world will arrive in Exeter for a

series of courses based around the theme of Leadership for Global Challenges.

The International Student Experience

“UK universities need to be strategic,

open and proactive about their

‘Bologna-compliance’. The alternative

is losing out on both long-term

partnerships and more immediate

recruitment opportunities.”

‘UK Universities and Europe:

Competition and Internationalisation’

Universities UK, 2009


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International Exeter and the City of ExeterWe recognise that our Internationalisation Strategy cannot be successful

without the support of our local communities in Exeter and Tremough.

Our international students and faculty are attracted to the University by the quality of life to

be found in the South West of England. In turn, the University invests hundreds of millions

of pounds back into the local economy each year.

Previous studies have shown that the University delivers over £300 million per year to

the local economy. The economic contribution of our international students is now also

significant. We commissioned leading economic consultancy, Oxford Economics, to

quantify the impact of our international students on the local economy.

Oxford Economics’ research shows international students studying at the University of

Exeter contribute over £57 million to Exeter’s GDP at current prices and support over

2,100 jobs or 2.3% of all jobs in the city.

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International Exeter and the City of ExeterInternational students paid around £30.3 million in fees last year which, through

direct and multiplier effects, pumped £27.7 million into the city’s economy. In addition,

the £44 million that was spent on subsistence by these students contributed a further

£24.4 million to GDP in Exeter once spending on imports is taken into consideration.

Oxford Economics calculate the total amount of spending by visitors to Exeter whose

primary reason for entry was to visit a student at the University is £8 million. Adjusting

for imports they find that the impact upon GDP is around £5.3 million. The combined

economic impact on Exeter’s economy is £57.4 million, equating to 1.6% of total

Exeter GDP.

The impact has a larger effect within the wider South West area, as the spending patterns

of our international students reach out across the region. Oxford Economics estimate the

overall GDP impact in the current financial year is £68 million at current prices. Payment

of fees is the largest contributor to this boost, equalling £32 million. Subsistence spending

by students contributed £29 million, while additional visitors generated a GDP boost of

£6 million.

These calculations are conservative in nature and do not include the ‘catalytic’ impacts that

benefit the local economy now and into the future – for example, the multi-million pound

investments into campus infrastructure to teach and accommodate international students.

Longer term, international students who studied in Exeter are also likely to develop a

predilection for UK products both in their personal and professional lives. Over time

this should act as a considerable boost to UK exports. Indeed the benefits of these links

should not be underestimated. Many of these international students will return home to

eventually play important roles in their country. A bias in favour of anything British may

have considerable long-term impacts upon the Exeter, South West and UK economies.

Fees (£m) Exeter South West

Direct Effect 21.9 21.9Indirect Effect 0.9 3.0Induced Effect 4.9 7.4Total 27.7 32.3

Subsistence spending (£m) Exeter South West


Additional Visitors (£m) Exeter South West


Overall GDP 57.4 67.8Contribution (£m)

Source: Oxford Economics

Impact on local employment Exeter South West

Direct Effect 1,770 1,770Indirect Effect 70 220Induced Effect 280 420Total Jobs Supported 2,120 2,410

Source: Oxford Economics

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Though significant, the benefits of internationalisation are not financial alone. Our campus

communities engage with local citizens through volunteering and cultural festivals. Such

engagement was exemplified by the Chinese New Year celebrations of 2010, when our

900 Chinese student community invited hundreds of members of the public onto the

Streatham Campus to participate in celebrations. Many more participated in events held

in the city centre.

And our Internationalisation Strategy has also brought investment in the historic fabric of

the city. In 2009 the University and INTO invested heavily to renovate a derelict listed

building to serve as teaching space for international students. Duryard House was built in

the seventeenth century and was part of the hall of residence of the Harry Potter author,

and Exeter alumnus, J K Rowling. The Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Ruth

Smith performed the ribbon cutting ceremony, with city councillors and local Residents’

Associations in attendance. With our internationalisation investment in Duryard House

an important piece of Exeter’s history now serves the present.

“The international and cosmopolitan

student community is an important

and integral part of our city culture.

Their presence goes to show that our

efforts in making Exeter a friendly and

yet very competitive city have been

well rewarded.”

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Ruth SmithRe-opening of Duryard House, September 2009

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“We are privileged to host more than 4,000 international

students from over 130 countries across our three campuses.

Our communities in Devon and Cornwall are enriched by the

presence of so many cultures. In an increasingly globalised world,

friendships forged in the South West of England today will

benefit us all long into the future.”

Professor Neil ArmstrongDeputy Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation)‘INTO-University of Exeter Graduation Ceremony’October 2009

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internationalisation strategyInternational partnershipsIn keeping with our status as one of the UK’s top universities,

co-operation with universities worldwide, sharing world-class research

and providing opportunities for all students and staff through exchanges,

is a fundamental part of our Internationalisation Strategy.

The University of Exeter has built up a network of agreements with over 180 universities

in 36 countries, encompassing a wide range of activities, including joint research, student

exchange and general Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

Nevertheless, the true measure of success in respect of international partnerships is not the

number of MoUs signed, but the extent to which our students and staff have meaningful

engagement with their counterparts. To that end, our future focus will be the development

of a smaller number of ‘institutional-level’ partnerships with top-quality universities around

the world.

By 2015 Exeter will have a network of high-calibre partner institutions in priority

countries. This network will add value to our global research portfolio, particularly in

respect of interdisciplinary challenges. This network will enable us to build relationships

with international funding bodies and sponsors to support projects with our key

university partners.

To facilitate this process, we have established a number of ‘mobility fellowships’ for our

faculty (themselves drawn from 70 different countries around the world). Outward

Mobility Academic Fellowships enable staff to develop and expand relationships with

world-class partner universities. Our Visiting International Academic Fellowships attract

world-class academics to Exeter for a period of up to three months, to conduct research

with our faculty and to give lectures open to both the campus and community. Colleges

provide matched funding for both schemes.

establishing a

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Our Links with South East Asia

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“UK institutions need to broaden their

perspective on overseas work. Even if

recruitment of students to study in the UK

remains an objective, it will increasingly

have to take place in a context of bi-lateral

and multi-lateral internationalisation.”

‘Internationalisation of HE: A Ten-Year View,’Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, 2008

2010 saw the establishment of the University’s Representative Offices

in Beijing and Shanghai in association with the China Britain Business

Council. These offices, funded by the Internationalisation Strategy,

forge deeper collaborative links between our faculty and key university

partners in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan. In addition, our

offices work with colleagues across the University to forge stronger

alumni links in-country and facilitate our international employability

ambitions in greater China, for all students at Exeter.

Exeter has signed MoUs of varying levels with six elite universities in China and Hong

Kong, including four of the most prestigious universities in PRC – Tsinghua University,

Fudan University, China University of Political Science and Law and East China Normal

University. MoUs have been signed with Hong Kong University and Hong Kong

University of Science and Technology. In 2009 we also signed MoUs with National

Taiwan University and National Tsinghua University.

In 2010 we opened a joint research laboratory in water systems with Tsinghua University

to support research in water distribution systems. As a leader in Sustainability and Climate

Change, Exeter is addressing global problems that effect the region profoundly, including

pollution in major Chinese rivers, flood defence in urban areas and the impact of the blast

fungus on rice crops. Our researchers are engaged in joint research projects to address

child obesity in China and the impact of South East Asia/Middle East relations.

In the last year, the University has supported over 20 research visits by Exeter academics

to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, while five groups of senior delegates have visited

Exeter from Chinese partner universities. Furthermore, the Chinese Ministry of Education

and British Council invited the University of Exeter to host 27 Vice-Presidents from the

leading universities in China in December 2009.

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“The UK’s fastest growing international partnerships

are with researchers in China, where there has been a

doubling in the output of international research papers

between the 1990s and 2005.”

‘International Research Collaboration: Opportunities for the UK Higher Education Sector,’Universities UK/Technopolis, 2008

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Few UK universities possess stronger links to the Arab world than Exeter.

For almost 40 years, we have welcomed hundreds of staff and students from

across the Middle East to our three campuses.

Arabic has been taught at Exeter since the early 1970s, and the Centre for Arab Gulf

Studies, established at Exeter in the late 1970s, was the first of its kind in Western Europe.

In 1999, the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS) was formed, bringing together the

study of historical, linguistic, literary, Islamic and social scientific aspects of the Middle East

region and the wider Islamic world. Persian/Iranian and Kurdish language and literature are

also studied. In 2009, the first Centre for Palestine Studies in Europe was established

at Exeter.

The IAIS was ranked 3rd nationally in the recent Times subject ranking for Middle Eastern

and African Studies. It boasts exceptional library resources in its own striking building, and

draws students and researchers from across the world.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Muhammad al-Qasimi (Member of the Supreme

Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah), who graduated with a PhD in

Gulf History from Exeter in 1985, is the Gulf Studies programme’s most famous alumnus.

In 1990, he sponsored the construction of the University of Exeter’s Postgraduate Centre

and, in 2001, he funded the construction of the building that houses IAIS. His Highness

makes a point of attending the annual Gulf Studies conference at Exeter every year, and

hosts an annual Alumni event in Sharjah each Spring.

The University is justly proud of its many very distinguished alumni from the Middle

East region, including Dr Sulaiman al-Jassim, Vice-President of Zayed University. Recent

honorary graduates include HM Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan, Prince al-Walid bin

Talal bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, and HE Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid al-Qasimi,

UAE Minister for Foreign Trade.

Our Graduate School of Education (ranked 5th in the RAE 2008 for world-leading and

internationally excellent research in Education) offers the Exeter EdD from premises

in Dubai Knowledge Village. Over 50 students from across the Middle East region are

registered on the course.

Our links with the Arab world

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“As policy-makers here in the Gulf

understand, the successful economies of

the future will be knowledge economies and

universities are the mechanisms for this

transformation. At Exeter, we are investing

heavily to ensure that we are leading the

development of the knowledge economy in

our own country.”

Professor Steve SmithVice-ChancellorGulf Alumni Dinner, Sharjah, March 2010

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In addition to our partnership work with China, our Internationalisation

Strategy will focus on the other BRIC countries. We will invest greater time and

resource to foster lasting partnerships with researchers and universities in India,

Russia and Brazil in the years ahead.

In India, for example, we are participating in the UKIERI work experience scheme,

where Indian graduates will investigate ways in which we can build greater links with

Indian businesses, Indian universities and our growing community of Indian alumni. In

2010 we offered a series of PhD split-site Presidential Scholarships with IIM Bangalore,

IISc Bangalore and IIT Delhi, covering Business, Biosciences, Life Sciences and

Engineering. We are investigating the establishment of representative offices in

the country.

And we will focus our efforts on North America and Europe to a much greater degree

than before. Exeter faculty possess research links with many of the great North American

and European universities – our challenge is to support those individual links while building

a new, limited number of ‘corporate’ partnerships, that encourage multiple academic links

between institutions. Over the next few years, Exeter will sign corporate MoUs with

no more than 20 research-intensive universities around the world, concentrating our

academic and financial resource with our peers.

Our Future Engagement

“In order to maintain (their) status in

an increasingly complex international

environment, the UK and the US will

both need to develop new strategies

and new partnerships, ones which take

into account the increasing influence of

new educational centres of excellence

in, for example, India and China. The

transatlantic education relationship will

ultimately need to develop into one which

is much more global in its outlook.”

‘UK–US Higher Education Partnerships: Realising the Potential’

British Council, 2010


“We see our future relationship with India in terms of

sustained research collaborations. We wish to partner

with researchers and universities in India to a much greater

extent than before. We will invest heavily and build on the

significant and proud links we have with this country.”

Professor Steve SmithVice-Chancellor‘Celebrating India-UK Partnerships in Higher Education,’ New Delhi, March 2010

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While internationalisation brings enormous opportunities, our

Strategy is mindful of the need to protect the reputation of the

University and mitigate risk wherever possible. In particular we

have established mechanisms to ensure our staff are aware of the

challenges of internationalisation. These include:

• A review of the University’s Travel Notification System, looking at issues affecting

Duty of Care and the benefits of sharing information relating to staff travel overseas

• Protection of the University brand overseas

• Reviewing all contracts relating to University-appointed agents and University

templates for MoUs

• Issuing guidelines to Colleges on what to do/who to contact in respect of

approaches for international partnerships of varying kinds

• Providing seminars for Heads of Colleges and College Managers about the legal

implications of international partnerships.

Mitigating International Risks

“Universities across the UK have

benefited from all forms of international

engagement. But more opportunities

bring with them more risks. These risks

are amplified by the increasing number of

university staff involved in international

partnerships and by the complexities of

less familiar environments.”

UK HE International Unit / Eversheds ‘International Partnerships:

A Legal Guide for UK Universities’ 2009


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Our International Alumni

“It is wonderful to have the opportunity

to meet so many University alumni in

South East Asia. Each year we run many

events like this for Exeter graduates

all over the world. It is always a great

pleasure to talk to alumni about their

memories of Exeter – whether they

graduated months or years ago – and to

tell them about the exciting things that

are happening now.”

Professor Steve Smith,Vice-Chancellor, Bangkok, November 2009


The University of Exeter has an international alumni network that spans

the globe. We are in contact with more than 70,000 alumni across more

than 170 countries. At the heart of our Strategy is a commitment to

maintain lifelong relationships with our international alumni.

A strong relationship with our alumni is key to the internationalisation agenda across

our University, including raising the University’s profile to the wider world, supporting

employability (through mentoring, internships and work placements), and, in the long-term,

the generation of philanthropic income.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office works closely with the International Office

to ensure that we have Alumni Country Contacts and active Alumni Groups around the

world, particularly in those areas with high concentrations of University of Exeter alumni.

Within our Internationalisation Strategy we are committing resources to hold formal alumni

events in areas with the highest numbers of alumni every two years and to support informal

events and activities in these and other locations. These events strengthen ties with alumni

and encourage them to support the University through international student recruitment

and retention activities.

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establishing a

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Our alumni will be invited to help build the reputation of the University in international

markets, through representation at local events, and to help secure media coverage.

They will also be asked to help develop the employability of our students through

activities such as mentoring and work placements.

Our vision to transform the University of Exeter into a world-leader will require major

investment in our infrastructure, significant expansion of our research staff, and increased

support for our students. Traditional sources of income will not be sufficient to achieve

such an ambitious vision. We need a renewed spirit of philanthropy for the 21st century.

Our alumni will be our ambassadors for an exciting new campaign, ‘Creating a

World-Class University Together’, to support world-class campuses, world-class research

and world-class graduates. Never before in the history of the University have we

attempted such an ambitious campaign. Launched in Spring 2010, our aim is to raise

£23 million, recruit more than 250 legacy pledges and secure 2012 hours volunteering

for the University of Exeter by 2012.

‘Creating a World-Class University Together’ expresses not just the aim of the

University of Exeter Campaign – it is also a sentiment that describes the ambition of our

Internationalisation Strategy entirely.

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Professor Neil Armstrong

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation)

University of Exeter

Northcote House

The Queen’s Drive

Exeter

EX4 4QJ

Dr Shaun Curtis

Director of International Exeter

University of Exeter

8th Floor, Laver Building

North Park Road

Exeter

EX4 4QE

Email: [email protected]

www.exeter.ac.uk/international

AcknowledgementsPhotography: We acknowledge with thanks individual students and staff, Tim Pestridge and South West RDA

Produced by: The International Office, University of Exeter

Designed by: Communication Services, University of Exeter

Print: Ashley House Printing Company, Exeter

Published April 2010

2010INT02

International Exeter

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