International students to realise their full potential
Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:14:00 GMT
A NEW team of specialist tutors and advisers is helping to ensure that overseas students adapt quickly to life at the University of Huddersfield and leave with the best possible degrees.
The International Student Development Programme is an innovation unique to Huddersfield, which has enjoyed huge success in overseas recruitment. Now the challenge is to ensure that the 1,200 students who come from non-EU countries get the most out of their time at the University.
The programme originated as an initiative by lecturer and Director of International Development for the Business School, Mohammed Mirza (pictured below) in order to provide comprehensive support for undergraduates and postgraduate taught students from countries and continents such as China, Africa and Asia.
Mohammed Mirza
The programme consists of two strands, International Student Support and International Learning Development. The International Student Support strand runs under the supervision of International Student Support Officer Sam Horsfall; and is designed to support all international students in the Business School. Alongside day-to-day support with any queries regarding UK University life or study, the International Student Support team runs a regular programme of events to help international students meet some of their peers and make the most of their time on campus.
International Learning Development runs weekly classes to support students in adapting to the conventions of UK HE, developing their academic skills and provides extra help with academic writing and language skills.
In this video, international student Asadul Chowdury, who is studying for an MSc in Economics, explains the benefits of the International Learning Development Programme.
The taught strand is headed by International Learning Development Manager Jo Thomas; she explained that the ILDP was a response to the University of Huddersfield’s strategy to increase the numbers of all students who achieve first class and upper second degrees.
“We will be supporting the international students, helping them all to adapt quickly and achieve their full potential,” she said.
Language skills are a key area, but other issues, including the educational culture at a UK university, are also crucial.
“Students need an understanding of how assessments work in UK Higher Education institutions and how to manage their workload.
“Also, they might not be used to the fact that they have to work very independently. They might be more accustomed to being very closely directed, while we expect more autonomy from the students.”
The amount of academic reading expected is also a challenge, said Jo, and there is a greater emphasis on critical thinking in UK institutions. In addition, some overseas students have to cope with factors such as homesickness or practical household issues for the first time.
Students who have joined its classes have provided very positive feedback, said Jo, but the Programme is constantly being re-evaluated and fine-tuned.
“We are expanding our knowledge of the students and what their needs are - whether it is language and academic support, or whether it’s integration and fitting into the UK. Even though we have 1,200 non-EU students in the Business School and we are a small team, we are finding a way of treating each student as an individual.”
