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Internationalisation - a case study from the UK and South Korea
Northumbria University’s developed a partnership with Kyungpook National University (KNU) in South Korea in 2009, through a European Union-funded mechanism. The initial activity was around student exchange and work placements. Prior to this, Northumbria did not have any Korean mobility partners, and had limited expectations of the demand to study in the region. The project provided initially sport and then business undergraduates the opportunity to undertake a semester’s work and study placement, with internships provided in organisations including banks, sports agencies, and multi-nationals such as Samsung and LG.At the conclusion of the project, the positive experience and very strong feedback received by returning students encouraged the development of bilateral links with KNU. The next step was to develop a double degree project between the respective business schools. Student demand for this opportunity has been very strong, leading to competitive applications within Northumbria’s Faculty of Business and Law. Since it began in 2012/13 more than 40 students have moved in each direction.
In addition to the student mobility between the business schools, there are a range of other activities in the multi-layered partnership. There are visiting professors in each institution, they have co-hosted research conferences, and developed co-publications. Bids are being submitted for joint research projects, and further double degrees are being developed in new areas including arts. Articulations in areas such as education have been agreed to allow students to complete their KNU Masters at Northumbria.
The strategic partnership between KNU and NU has grown from strength to strength in recent years, with successful student links being supplemented by research and academic collaboration, and a broadening of the relationship across to all areas of the institution. The shared values between the two institutions, and the drive of the individuals involved, has sparked creative ideas, and provided a truly outstanding range of opportunities for students. The demand for a study opportunity in Korea from NU’s student body has blossomed, and we are delighted that so many of our undergraduates are choosing KNU as their preferred destination for their development into global graduates.
This presentation will explore the benefits of a close working relationship with a key strategic partner, the difficulties with working across Faculties, and the ways of embedding internationalisation into key activities.
Author(s):
Rob Carthy
Northumbria University
United Kingdom