Transcript Dr Chris Baldwin

‘Raising the Bar’
Learning and Teaching Conference 25th
March 2015
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
Dr Chris Baldwin
Head of School of Biomedical Sciences
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
Current Partnerships
1) NUMed Malaysia 2+1 BSc BMS ( start 2013)
2) University of Indonesia – Intercalation (start
2009)
Potential Partnerships
2) Xiamen 4+0 BSc Pharmacology (start 2016?)
Others
3) APL agreements – INTI, UCSI, Republic
Polytechnic, Dalian etc
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
1.
Why are we considering this project
a) Increased Revenue – Will it?
b) Reputation Raising (School, Faculty University)
– Will it?
c) Develop research links – Will it?
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
2. What Partner/Model of Delivery do we
Choose?
a)
Established off shore Newcastle campus
i) NUMed (space)
ii) NUIS (working with SIT)
b) New offshore Newcastle campus
i) Our own eg NUMed model
ii) With exisiting partner eg NUIS model
c) Other – New Partner, Dual Degree, Franchise etc,
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
3 . New or established programme
a) UG or PG
b) Depends on the model and country chosen but
experience in FMS suggests that local regulatory
bodies will normally require an established
programme to be set up in country (Malaysia,
China).
c) Does the programme fit the development needs
of the partner country.
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
4. Local Knowledge
Critical to learn this as early as possible and do not
just rely on your partner to inform you.
i) What is the regulatory Framework in country and
what/who do you need to contact before you even start
process – eg MQA and MoHE - Malaysia, MOE China
ii) Develop links with local Regulatory staff where
possible.
iii) Develop links with other institutions that have an
established programme in target country
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
5 . Model of Delivery
This will very much depend on the business case
and country but should consider
i) 1+2, 2+1, 3+0, 1+3, 2+2, 3+1, 4+0, (+PG?)
ii) Newcastle staff seconded overseas (succession
planning – OK for first 3-5 years)
iii) Flying Faculty – Expensive
iv) Local in country Newcastle staff (need to look at
local employment law – who employs them?)
v) All local staff (problem keeping Newcastle ethos)
vi) Mixture of above
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
6 . Regulations
i) Must consider Newcastle processes eg – IPT,
EPSC, Part 1 and Part 2 approval
ii) Must also consider local approval process
which will be different and be considered on a
different timeframe
iii) Any core modules that must be offered
locally – yes in China and Malaysia
iv) How flexible are you after approval
(changing entry criteria, fees etc)
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
7 . Same Course?/Same Course?
i) How much variation will you allow from the
home course? Must meet programme LO at a
minimum (BMS course at NUMed as near to
100% same in Malaysia as UK)
ii) Local module codes are useful as they allow
some flexibility (problems with practicals etc.)
Developing International Partnerships and/or
Overseas programmes
8 . Surprises
i) Staff turn over – much higher than in UK, makes
succession planning hard
ii) Availability and delivery times of consumables
and equipment
iii) BoS and BoE timings (remember Newcastle
regulations state that all dual or joint programmes are
managed by the owning school at Newcastle)
iv) Local holidays – may be very different from UK
v) Exam timings
Developing International Partnerships and/or
Overseas programmes
9 . Musts
1) You must have a local champion for the programme who is
relatively senior, has knowledge of QAA procedures in
Newcastle etc so they can develop the programme and
complete the appropriate paperwork
2) The programme must be supported by Senior Staff at
School and Faculty
3) The programme must be driven by the owning school
4) Appropriate initial resource must be allocated – it is not a
cheap option to do this. This must include funds to visit the
country/local partner to build up personal relationships
with key staff overseas.
Developing International Partnerships
and/or Overseas programmes
9 . Benefits
i) Clear benefits for local students – UK experience in
part or completely overseas
ii) Excellent experience for Newcastle staff which can be
built into promotion applications
iii) Good opportunities to develop research links BUT this
will take time (Building relationships with academics
at partner institution)
iv) Can rise profile of Newcastle BUT just having a
partnership will not – needs input from all academics
and staff in School.