University of Glasgow

College of Arts International Committee

Minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2016

Present: Dr Penny Morris (Convenor), Dr Stephen Burn, Professor Martin Cloonan, Dr Luis Gomes, Dr Stephan Leuenberger, Ms Sue Macallan (Clerk), Dr Henriette Partzsch

Apologies: Mr Joey Kirk, Mrs Heather Murphy

1. Welcome

The Convenor welcomed members of the Committee to the meeting. She informed the Committee that JK and HM had both sent their apologies as they were required to attend a MaRIO meeting.

2. Minutes of meeting held on 5 October 2016

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2016 were approved.

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

4. Convenor’s Business

4.1 Hong Kong The Convenor reported on the joint activity with HKU particularly in History of Art Museum Studies and noted that there appears to be scope for greater development. She will be meeting with Professor Nick Pearce to discuss this further.

4.2 The Convenor informed the Committee that there had been a high-level trip to India, College of Arts being represented by Professor Nigel Leask. It was noted that India is thought to be an interesting area for future development with a scope for greater exchange. However the current situation with visas makes recruitment of Indian students to the UK very challenging. The Convenor will be meeting with the International Dean and with Nigel Leask for feedback on the trip and to discuss future developments.

4.2 Indonesia The Convenor reported on meeting with journalists from Indonesia. There appears to be scope for attracting students, with particular interest shown in Museum Studies.

4.3 New Guild of European Universities The is a founding member of this new group of eighteen of ’s leading universities from across thirteen countries. The Convenor reported on two internships in Brussels for PhD students. Action: PM to circulate emails to Heads of School 4.4 Committee for approving new partnerships The Convenor noted that a new Committee is to be set up to approve new partnerships at College level.

4.5 NUS NUS had visited the University of Glasgow as part of their UK tour, looking in particular toward a fast track degree. There was no further development to report at present.

4.6 Sydney There had been a visit from the University of Sydney. Sydney will now be included in our Priority Partners and will be added to the Early Career Development programme.

4.7 Summer Schools The Convenor reported that she had raised Summer Schools at CMG pointing out the lack of any incentivisation offered to colleagues. SIOs were asked to provide updates on any possible courses within their Schools.

Action: SIOs to investigate and feedback information

4.8 McGill The Convenor had attended the McGill Open Skies Working Group (in place of Don Spaeth who was unavailable). College’s have identified a subject area which will explore possibilities for more extensive exchanges than are usually possible. English Literature will be taking this forward for the College of Arts.

4.9 Temporary CIL The Convenor informed the Committee that she will step down temporarily from her role as CIL at the end of December 2016 as she will be on research leave next semester.

5. Discussion of School International Officer Role The Convenor referred to two tabled papers; College of Arts School International Office (SIO) and College of Social Sciences School International Lead (SIL) – Role Description. The papers were discussed and compared. The Convenor informed the Committee of an earlier meeting she had with Heads of School where the role of SIO was discussed. The Committee agreed that a) it is important to think of different areas, to agree targets and to plan points throughout the year b) in terms of student mobility at College-level it was agreed that there should be someone overseeing the matter at School level c) need for a strategy plan at School and at Subject level and to have regular meetings with Study Abroad Advisers.

The SIOs agreed that they should attend School Executive meetings regularly. It was suggested that twice a semester might be appropriate, preferably these meetings would follow International Committee meetings. The Convenor recommended SIOs should agree targets and when to attend School Executive meetings with their Heads of School. The Committee agreed that SIOs should lead Internationalisation at School level and that they should be recognised as the person taking Internationalisation forward. The Convenor plans to draft a new description which she will circulate in due course. Action: SIOs to feedback thoughts and discussion at School level to PM

6. Student Mobility (LG) Over 2500 students attended the Study Abroad Fair in October. As all the application process for Study Abroad is now online, it should be possible to trace conversion from interested students (attending Study Abroad Fair) to committed students (those applying). Following application, the drop-out rate is usually negligible. Thus, it is expected that it will be possible to trace a fuller picture from beginning to end of the Study Abroad cycle. It should now be easier and possible to see where Subjects are placed against University of Glasgow’s KPI for Mobility (20% per year), conversion rates from Interested to Applicant student and other data. This should allow a more precise strategic plan for Mobility in CoA. LG asked SIOs to provide feedback on the online application process. HP reported that the process does not work at all for SMLC students. SL noted that he is required to spend more time checking. LG reported that the Study Abroad team continue to work extremely hard toward reaching the 2020 proposal.

The Grade Conversion Meeting was held on 26th October. The meeting was used to provisionally agree on processes and strategies for conversion of grades in CoA, ensuring cohesion and standardisation where possible. A number of issues were raised and are being followed up (e.g., liaising JYA with Disability Services, as currently Disability Services are not notified when a registered student is abroad, and there was one incident where this would have been useful). This meeting will be part of the annual JYA process, perhaps at an earlier date. Possibility of this coinciding with CoA International Committee meeting to be explored, though as this meeting concerns very specific L&T matters, a joint meeting may not be essential.

LG attended an Erasmus Training Week at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, from 14th to 16th November 2016, on behalf of CoA and University of Glasgow. The meeting was useful and opened up potential channels for further exchange placements in Coimbra for CoA (English Literature, as courses taught in English), as well as throughout University of Glasgow. Furthermore, LG attended their Study Abroad fair and identified recruitment opportunities for full PhD and taught Masters courses in CoA (e.g. Art History, Media Management, Museum Studies), which would not be International Mobility but full matriculation at University of Glasgow. A report of this visit will be circulated to MaRIO and all College Leads. Action: Study Abroad Fair to be added to agenda item for last meeting of session to allow for forward planning.

7. SIOs updates

SMLC HP reported no relevant developments in Internationalisation since the last meeting. She asked the Committee to consider what ways Internationalisation could help strengthen REF narratives, for instance through a more strategic approach toward IPDF applications. CCA MC provided an update on developments with Wuhan University who are proposing to send 4/5 PGT students a year to study in Theatre Studies Professor Helmi Jarviluoma of the University of Eastern Finland is currently visiting the School as part an Erasmus Exchange scheme. MC thanked PM for her support in ensuring the success of the exchange. Humanities At School Management Group meeting on 12 October, the Head of School asked SL what the CoA internationalisation priorities are, i.e. what the CoA wants the School to do at this stage. SL said that the priority lies with student recruitment, which is not the School’s direct responsibility; that as he understand it summer schools are not a priority. SL contacted Kenneth Hutton from the Academic Collaborations Unit to ask about developing a joint PhD programme with Macquarie. They are not interested because it is too time-consuming. Dr Gary Kemp (Philosophy) is pursuing a 3+1+1 agreement with Denver. They initiated the contact, but now the ball is in their court and he is waiting to hear back. Critical Studies SB reported on email correspondence about a proposed 3+1 programme with ECUST (East China University of Science and Technology) is taking place. Discussions currently looking at which subjects would fall within the scope of arrangement, Discussions regarding taking place about hosting a visiting scholar from Johannes Gutenberg- Universität Mainz. SB reported that Professor David Jasper had spoken at Tsignhua, an institution he has strong links with. As SB will be on research leave next session he announced that he would be standing down from his role as SIO.

8. RCMO report There was no RCMO report.

9. Update from Senior International Officer (MaRIO) There was no Senior International Office report.

10. A.O.B There was no other business.