TThehe NNewsletterewsletter Issue 15, June 2009 www.universitas21.com

In This Issue U21 Joint PhDs Launched Sustainability 2 t the annual network research needs into account Speaking on the launch of Declaration Ameeting in May, and enabling collaboration the programme, Professor U21 Presidents signed a with another of the network’s John Casteen, President of the Annual Memorandum of Understanding universities. and Chair Network 3 to launch a unique development of the network, Meeting report in the opportunities available The institutions involved in this said: “The signing of this MoU to PhD students around the ground-breaking programme today marks a key development U21 Teaching network. in the way in which & Learning 4 U21 universities are Conference The agreement, approaching study and signed by Vice- research. Not only does Graduate Chancellors this distinguish us from Research 5 and Presidents the other programmes Conference from fourteen already in existence, by 2009 member being focused clearly universities, on the needs of the Collaborative 6-8 established individual students, but Group reports a joint PhD it sets a new benchmark programme for international which enables collaboration at PhD On the Move: doctoral level and is a trend Rachel Walls 9 students to which I believe is visits UBC Professor Mary Bownes with President Lee of and some of the other embark on Joint PhD signatories one which should be joint degrees, followed by other major l considerably enhancing their are the universities of Auckland, networks and consortia.” Movers & 10 research and employment Birmingham, British Columbia, Shakers opportunities on an international Delhi, Dublin (University College), The programme grew out of scale. Unlike a number of other Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hong discussions among the Deans Eff ective joint programmes, this MoU Kong, Korea, McGill, , and Directors of Graduate Studies Partnersips 13 gives an over-arching framework Nottingham, Queensland and group within the Universitas for Economic for universities to create tailor- Virginia, thus presenting a truly 21 network, and was led by Growth made programmes of study for global choice of research partners Professor Mary Bownes at the The Back Page each student, taking individual for students embarking on a PhD. . Interview with 15 Heungsuk challenges. All of this activity Choi of Korea From the Secretariat... was capably supported by Korea Over the space of three days, University staff who were able t this time of year, it is usual we managed to cram in seven to deal with every detail and last meetings; one press conference; Universitas 21 Afor us to refl ect on our recent minute change I could think up annual network meeting where networking opportunities; a day- while demonstrating why Korea is c/o Strathcona 109 long academic symposium; and representatives of member rightly known as the Land of the Edgbaston universities gather together to more photographs than I would Morning Calm. Birmingham look back on the past and plan have thought humanly possible. B15 2TT for the future. The 2009 meeting All of this is reported in this Colleagues who know me well UK was hosted by Korea University, edition of The Newsletter. Most will hope this is a lesson I shall who joined the network in 2005, important of all was the chance take with me to future meetings! T: +44 121 415 8870 to establish and build on links F: +44 121 415 8873 – the same time that I took up the role of Secretary General. with sister organisations around Jane Usherwood [email protected] the globe and share thoughts and www.universitas21.com You could say that KU and I are Secretary General contemporaries in U21 land. ideas on tackling our common Universitas 21

Page 1 Network News Network News Network News Declaring Influencing Public Policy Sustainability uilding on the previous three U21 Division of International Studies, focused ith 2008/09 designated U21’s Year BSymposia, the 2009 Symposium at on the university’s infl uence in developing Wof Sustainability, we were delighted Korea University, which took place on governmental national and trans-national that Vice-Chancellors and Presidents from 21 May as part of the annual meeting of organisational economic policies. across the network signed a Statement U21 Presidents, explored the mechanisms Professor Dongwha Kum of the Korea on Sustainability at the annual network which operate between the university Institute of Sciences & Technology gave an meeting at Korea University, emphasising and the formation of governmental public interesting presentations on the progress the important role that universities can and do play in addressing energy; food and policy. Three key areas were identifi ed in of science and technology and the role of water security; climate change; economic which universities often provide expertise academia in Korea, while Professor John sustainability; human health; and the decline President Lee of Korea University addressing the U21 Sympoisum of biodiversity.

Through the statement, which was co- ordinated by colleagues at the University of British Columbia, the Universitas 21 member universities commit themselves to ensuring a sustainable future:

ƒ through research, teaching, community partnerships and demonstrable actions, to advance timely solutions to ecological, societal and economic problems, ƒ through engagement with civil society, industry and government, to accelerate these solutions beyond the campus, and ƒ by working together collaboratively and co-operatively, to achieve more than is possible by working alone.

Each university Dr Craig Klafter signing the to governments as they develop and Casteen gave fuel to the discussion with will: Sustainability Declaration on behalf implement public policy decisions – his speech entitled Policy and Reciprocity: of UBC education, economic development and eff ective partnerships for economic growth. ƒ develop, ‘controversial’ social issues – and were A shortened version of this can be read on publish and discussed in three sessions over the course page 13. monitor of the day. targets; The fi nal session of the day, investigating ƒ share the After the opening speeches by Professor the university’s role in establishing ‘facts’ results with Ki-Su Lee, President of Korea University in areas of controversial public policy each other; and Professor John Casteen, President of was moderated by Professor Glyn Davis, ƒ engage in the University of Virginia and Chair of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of research U21 network, the morning session focused Melbourne. It was opened by a guest towards a on the relationship between the university to the network, Professor John Haldane sustainable and government in global human resource of St Andrew’s University, Scotland, future; development. Professor David Eastwood, followed by Professor Dong-Young Kim establish the ƒ newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor of the of the Korea Development Institute. university campus as a living laboratory University of Birmingham and Professor This led on to some very lively debate, for a sustainable future; Kazuo Kuroda of the Graduate School of particularly between Professor Haldane ƒ emphasise citizenship & engagement -Pacifi c Studies at and Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea of to promote faculty, staff and student volunteerism; and gave two diff erent perspectives on this Edinburgh and brought an interesting issue, from UK and Asian standpoints, and day of presentations and discussion to ƒ build capacity through cross-network generated some interesting discussion a close, having given all delegates some collaboration and work. about the ways in which higher education stimulating points for consideration and The network as a whole recognises the has both shaped and responded to the thought. importance of this commitment and sees demands of government and employers. it as a necessary step in addressing the Clare Noakes increasingly relevant issue of sustainability The second session, moderated by Universitas 21 and ways in which universities can address it Professor Innwon Park of Korea University’s both internally and externally.

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of the formal meetings. The arrangements by Korea University were exemplary and nothing seemed to be too much trouble for Firming Up Friendships the team of people from the International or three days in May, members of members committing to off er bespoke joint Relations Offi ce who worked with us, from Fthe network gathered on the Korea PhD arrangements with other member dealing with special dietary requirements University campus in Seoul to refl ect on the universities, tailored to suit the needs of to the changing of the venue for formal past year’s activity and plan for the coming individual students within a widely-agreed photographs when the heavens decided year. During our time in Korea, two major framework. to open after many days of glorious agreements were sunshine. Those participating in signed signalling the meetings themselves were areas of great blissfully unaware of the eff orts importance for our being put in behind the scenes by members and for many cheerful, willing people from higher education. what seemed like dawn to dusk. Our Year of Sustainability The highlight of the formal part of was crowned by the series of meetings was the gala the signing of a dinner, graciously hosted by the declaration on Seoul Metropolitan Government. sustainability in We were fortunate that the Mayor which members of Seoul was able to join us and committed share his views on the importance themselves to of universities, and of Korea advance timely University, to national life. Later solutions to Se-Hoon Oh, Mayor of Seoul, speaking at the U21 Gala Dinner that evening, we were also treated ecological, societal to some marvellous Korean and economic problems through research, However, the meetings at KU were not only drumming and dancing – a brief insight teaching, community partnerships and marked by such important agreements into the cultural life of our host nation demonstrable actions; to accelerate these between Presidents. During the course which showed the vibrancy and energy of solutions beyond the campus through of three days, there were seven diff erent the country. engagement with civil society, industry and meetings of those present, together with government; and to work collaboratively many opportunities for meeting informally Above all, the annual network meetings and co-operatively to achieve more than is and networking with international are a time to strengthen our partnerships possible by working alone: in some ways a colleagues. Many new friends were and President Lee’s hospitality, KU wine microcosm of life in a network! As the Chair welcomed, including new Presidents and kim chi certainly aided this. Next year’s of the network, Professor John Casteen from Birmingham, Fudan, and annual meeting will be at the University of the University of Virginia, commented, Nottingham as well as new U21 Managers of Delhi and planning for that is already “Sustainability is an essential activity in any from Birmingham, Korea, Singapore underway, so that we can further build on university that wants to be useful in the next and Queensland. The mix of formal and the successes of 2009’s meeting. generation.” informal meetings, supported by the excellent hospitality from KU, gave ample Jane Usherwood The other agreement formally launched opportunities for relationships to be built Universitas 21 the Joint PhD project with fourteen of our and for much business to be done outside Undergraduate Research Conference deadline approaching! lans are well underway for the fi fth U21 academic papers, discussing their research PUndergraduate Research Conference with colleagues from around the world and which is taking place from 15 to 21 October hearing a whole range of subjects explored 2009 at the . and debated.

Undergraduates or newly-graduated Most universities have their own systems students from across the network for selecting students and International are invited to attend to present their Offi ces (or equivalent) have details on how undergraduate research to their peers at to register for this conference. The closing this week-long event at onr of Scotland’s date for student registration is 31 July 2009. oldest university in a vibrant and historic city. For further details, log on to www.universitas21.com/events.html and There is no over-arching theme this year, so follow the link to the URC. students from every discipline are welcome to come and gain experience of presenting The University of Glasgow

Page 3 U21 Events U21 Events U21 Events enhancing the student experience, teaching and learning in research intensive How employable are U21 students? universities). t the recent U21 AGM in Korea, the and Learning for Employability in a Global APresidents highlighted the growing Economy. The programme will be delivered The conference is being jointly organised signifi cance of the employability agenda as a mixture of keynote lectures to by the Universities Fudan, Glasgow, in HE across the world. If students are stimulate discussion and debate around Nottingham and University College to realise the benefi ts of studying at key themes, conference papers aligned to Dublin and will be held at the University internationally of Nottingham Ningbo, Nottingham’s Ningbo Campus oriented, research . The campus is easily intensive accessible, being just south universities, they of ; accommodation must graduate with can be off ered to conference the kind of skills delegates either at the that employers University’s Staff Hotel or in value. What are hotels nearby. those skills? What do employers Papers on the areas identifi ed expect? How as linking to employability does international and the global economy experience and should be submitted by internationalisation 30 June 2009 and sent in contribute to electronic form to Carol. employability? [email protected]. What is the labour Decisions on submitted market experience papers will be notifi ed to of students from authors by 30 July. the U21 universities – how employable Registration will open in July are they? What and further details can be constitutes best practice in terms of the key themes, and workshops to allow found at www.universitas21.com/events. delivering employability skills? informal group discussion of themes html. associated with both employability The 2009 U21 Teaching and Learning and agenda and issues arising from the Professor Christine Ennew Conference will take as its theme, Teaching 2008 conference (internationalisation,

The focus of the infrastructure, land and food, energy, and programme will social and economic consequences. Summers we go to press, the School University of in Winter! be on the science AQueensland is about to welcome over and social science of the predicated Participants will also learn and practise 100 delegates to the sixth Universitas 21 eff ects of climate change. Climate impacts critical thinking in hands-on skills sessions, Summer School from 12 and responses will then be explored using diff erent learning styles including to 24 July 2009. This year’s systems frameworks, strategic thinking, theme is Climate Change mind mapping and other techniques for Adaptation, a theme which making multi-criteria decisions. unites people all over the world as we strive to fi nd As a result, participants will leave the answers to a plethora of Summer School with insight into predicted associated challenges, and changes, their impact on humanity and it calls for the ingenuity the planet, how we need to adapt, what and collaborative spirit of mechanisms there are for responding, our researchers and scholars level of readiness and our capacity to adapt. to come to the fore. Two fi eld trips are included in the programme. The fi rst will be a day trip Potential impacts on to the Gold Coast; the second will be an natural and human overnight trip to Tangalooma Island Resort systems include – a leading tourist resort in an isolated temperature changes, setting adapting to climate change issues. precipitation changes, severe weather events and Finally, a public UN Assembly-type sea level rise associated event will be held on the last day, with with thermal expansion Participants at last year’s summer school discussions regarding the global response and de-glaciation. These to climate change. issues will tax our scientists, governments, through a number of themes, including communities and businesses to water resources, biodiversity, marine and A report from the Summer School will unprecedented levels. coastal environment, settlements and appear in our next newsletter and online.

Page 4 U21 Events U21 Events U21 Events Second U21 Learning by Doing Graduate Research egistration is now open for the and eff ective learning landscape for R3rd U21 Learning Environment students (and staff ) in the context of its Design Forum, which will be hosted historical origins as one of the world’s Conference by the University of Virginia from 5 most signifi cant campus sites. The niversitas 21 is holding a second conference to 9 October 2009. Like the previous forum programme consists largely of Ufor graduate researchers, taking place in forums convened in Melbourne and teams working on the design task and from 29 November to 6 December 2009. , this event aims to develop will also include ‘stimulus discussion’ The conference builds on the highly successful skills and knowledge of university staff sessions which are intended to provide inaugural Graduate Research Conference held that are involved in, or interested in, important input to inform and provoke in Birmingham in July 2008 and focuses on the the design and development of new wider discussion of relevant issues. themes of the Built Environment; Energy; Water; classrooms and informal learning Health; Society and Governance; Environment. spaces on campus. An important outcome of previous forums has been the development In addition to a small number of keynote lectures of strong Participants at last year’s Learning Environment Design Forum by experts across these fi elds, all graduate professional participants will present a short talk and a poster. relationships There will be a variety of additional activities and amongst a visits to increase understanding of the issues, number of the stimulate creativity and develop general skills. The participants two venues (Melbourne and Brisbane) will provide which has excellent examples of some of the key issues for enabled a cities of the future. collaborative approach to Climate scientists are saying that Australia will be the design and one of the fi rst countries to be aff ected by climate development change. Modelling of global climatic change of several real predicts southern Australia will become drier projects at U21 and the droughts more extreme, while northern institutions. Australia will become wetter with more extreme cyclones. The forums are intensive fi ve-day This year’s forum will be unique as it design studios (this is not a typical will also involve graduate students in There is growing evidence that these climatic conference!), aimed at developing a preliminary ‘student design forum’ changes are starting. Southern Australia is in the a collaborative approach to the immediately prior to the staff forum. grip of a 12 year drought, the worst in recorded creation of new-generation learning These students will subsequently be history, with attendant severe water shortages environments. Participants will work involved in the staff forum enabling and disastrous bushfi res. At the same time, much in small, multi-disciplinary teams on a an even greater opportunity for a of northern Australia is under water! representative design project refl ecting collaborative design process to unfold Melbourne cityscape common ambitions and concerns, which represents both staff and student drawn this year from Thomas Jeff erson’s perspectives of the modern campus to Academical Village at the University of be expressed. Virginia. Places in the forum are limited to Previously, staff participants have ensure that participants are able to included lecturers, academic develop strong personal bonds with development staff , audio-visual and their colleagues during the event. As information technology staff , librarians, in previous forums, this year’s will be project managers, faculty managers adopting a hands-on, project-oriented Australia, like many developing economies, is and property and estates staff . Very few approach and we may not be able to facing challenges to future sustainability and of the previous participants have been accept all those interested in attending is investing in strategies to mitigate and adapt formally trained in design, though we if this would lead to an imbalance of as insurance against the potential of this new also encourage participants from this skills. climatic reality. People are increasingly moving fi eld. into urban areas from rural areas, placing stress on Registration closes on 31 July 2009. transport and other basic infrastructure. Australia, The Virginia forum will focus on the being an early entrant to climate change, provides more cohesive development of the To register for the forum, log on an excellent ‘laboratory’ to review the future campus to create informal learning to http://www.universitas21.com/ sustainability of cities. environments indoors and outdoors event/091005LEDF.html within the possibilities provided in Further details will be online shortly. the actual campus landscape. The Lavinia Johns University of Virginia presents a University of Virginia Professor Chris Thomas wonderful opportunity to engage Universtiy of Birmingham in the issue of creating a modern

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Global Cities/Local Sites goes The proposed ebook interface well beyond the simple E-book Online! digitising of text to maximise fter much work and two years the potential of permeable Aof anticipation, the fi rst U21 boundaries to the book, e-book is about to published at www. thereby bringing together u21onlinebooks.com/. Entitled Global argument and archive(s), Cities/Local Sites, it is a multimedia and encouraging greater collection of essays on seven world cities collaborative research. And, of in which key global issues – fl ows of course, an electronic medium information, images, people and products also permits inclusion of video, – are explored through the analysis of local still-images and audio, with the sites. These issues include new forms of aim of integrating image and social and cultural mix, new urban projects analysis more eff ectively. anonymous industrial estate to sell their (often re-workings of historical locations), goods. new forms of urban practice in public Interestingly, one of the themes emerging space, and new or stubbornly traditional across the fi rst book in the series is a One has to be careful not to claim a synergy but subtly re-confi gured discursive tension between the virtual and the between form and subject matter but, in formations. tangible that is part of everyday life. Thus, one respect the project seeks to represent an essay by University College Dublin the practice of research. An e-book is, by Global Cities/Local Sites will be followed, in academics Hugh Campbell and Brian Ward its very nature, never completed and the 2010, by and Borders: Cultural Transfer, examines the appearance in the Dublin Series Editor is in discussion with MUP edited by Nicholas Hewitt (Nottingham) cityscape of the offi ces of Google and about an accompanying website that and Modern Mobilities, edited by Andrew eBay. Ubiquitous on the internet, eBay allows for reviews of the books, moderated Dawson (Melbourne). and Google are almost invisible in the real comments/feedback and ongoing research. landscape of Dublin, although the authors These multimedia books are written and note that, each week, a few people turn up Douglas Tallack designed specifi cally for electronic delivery. at the nondescript HQ of eBay on a fairly Series Editor

drafting a follow-on declaration for the period 2011-15. As some members are Student Mobility Co-ordinators in LA! already sending the maximum number fter a nervous start with the driver of programme off ers a wonderful and unique of students possible to U21 destinations, our bus asking “Which way do I go?” experience to students; however the cost A ideas other than numerical targets were we eventually arrived at UCLA where of the programme and the timing of course put forward for inclusion in the follow-on we immersed ourselves in two days of detail availability were duly noted as the declaration. This is to ensure we continue intensive discussions – the 2009 meeting main barriers to our member institutions to broaden student mobility opportunities of the U21 Student Mobility group. being able to embrace such a programme over the coming years and to increase Despite the impact of the world economic fully. the number of students who have an downturn, coupled with the outbreak of international experience as part of the H1N1 fl u, it was pleasing their time at university. to have sixteen member institutions represented by More agenda items and topics of seventeen delegates who met interest were discussed in small over 21-22 May, just prior to groups throughout the day and it was the NAFSA conference. agreed that the summaries/outcomes of such topical discussions would be With the Hollywood Hills as put on a password-protected U21 SM our backdrop, we opened website for future reference. our annual meeting with introductions and institutional In recognition of how much is updates. We continued achieved at the U21 SM annual our fi rst day of updates on meetings, it is hoped future specifi ed items, such as the meetings may be hosted by member Global Issues Programme, then institutions on a rotational basis, with made a start on our long list of Student Mobility Co-ordinators in their mobile meeting room attendance by the U21 SM manager agenda items through small or their representative. group discussions. Summaries of the group discussions were presented Friday was another early start with all on Despite being in the hills of Hollywood, during our bus trip back to Downtown LA. board at 8am. As the driver seemed to our feet were fi rmly on the ground as we know where he was going this time, we worked through each agenda item and That evening we gathered over pizza as were able to continue our meetings during mapped out future tasks for a busy year we learned about the the bus commute to UCLA. By the time ahead for the U21 Student Mobility Group. programme from our guest speaker, Derek we arrived at our meeting room, we had Olsen from the Institute for Shipboard completed the review of the Shanghai Louise Kinnaird Education. We all agreed that such a Declaration and were able to jump into U21 Student Mobility Co-ordinator

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team, I presented a report on the FINE meeting. Paula made a particular plea for funding for students in their fi rst or second FINE Steps Forward year to attend the AERA conference and he recent meeting of the U21 FINE 4. Serve as an advisory and advocacy to participate in FINE. The minutes of this Tgroup, the Forum for International body representing the needs of the meeting are on the U21 website. Networking in Education (a group of FINE community. doctoral students in education) at the We extend a very big thank you to David American Educational Research Association One of the goals of this team is to produce Clarke and Lynn McAlpine (McGill) for in San Diego (April 2009) was a resounding a FINE newsletter, and the fi rst edition is their commitment to the group. David success, with thirteen students from already online through the FINE website spent hours on securing funding from U21, fi ve universities and several academics and is emailed to those registered on the organising the room and catering, booking attending. Key events included a four- FINE database. restaurants, liaising with the U21 Deans hour Forum on 12 April, and Associate Deans to followed by dinner the same promote information on night, and two breakfast FINE and to encourage gatherings on 14 and 16 participation, and April. Importantly, this working with me to meeting moved FINE into develop a programme of phase two, heralding a wider events in San Diego. sharing of responsibility and a spread of events beyond Lynn McAlpine’s and AERA. Chris Davison’s (UNSW) presentations were really There was wonderful thought-provoking and enthusiasm in the group this very useful and Jayne year to take on responsibility Butler (Melbourne to nurture and promote alumni), Paula, Jae Yup FINE. We now have a team Jung (Melbourne) and Li of people with exciting Hua (Melbourne) shared new ideas. I am confi dent their experiences as that with the expansion of doctoral students which the team, FINE will grow to One of the FINE breakfast meetings were very interesting and provide great opportunities helpful. to U21 doctoral students in education. FINE’s existing discussion group currently resides within the Graduate Junction Thanks also to Bob Bracewell (McGill) and During this year’s FINE forum and during network. Esther Chan (Melbourne) is Rob Tierney (UBC) and the three guests subsequent meetings in San Diego we designing a new site that would be from for attending the drafted the mission statement and four exclusive to the FINE group. We now meeting – FINE feels very encouraged goals for the group for the year: have 64 members from ten universities when U21 academics take interest in signed up on our database with each its welfare. The participation of several “The Forum for International Networking in member providing details such as the academics added a valuable dimension to Education (FINE) is an international group of title and a brief synopsis of their thesis. the discussion, culminating in Rob Tierney’s doctoral students from Universitas 21 Schools This is a tremendous resource for student encouragement for the FINE group to take of Education who co-operate and collaborate networking, and we look forward to on a more active advocacy role on behalf of in order to better understand educational hearing how the database is being used. U21 doctoral students in Education. issues from a global perspective. The group seeks to provide opportunities for social and There was discussion with regard to the Radhika Gorur professional networking, and possibilities membership of FINE, and it was decided U21 FINE Leadership Team for collaborative research and enhanced that we would consider the alumni of U21 academic and career prospects.” universities to also be part of the FINE group. This would ensure some continuity Goals 2009-10 within the group. FINE in ? 1. Promote conversations between I attended a meeting of the Deans of Is there any interest in a FINE forum students with common research Education from various U21 universities, during EARLI or ECER 2009? interests. which was co-ordinated by David Clarke (Melbourne). It was a very interesting 2. Increase communication to, and meeting at which the Deans or their If you are attending either of these among, members through newsletters representatives presented ways their conferences and would like to be part of and online discussions. respective universities were moving a FINE activity, or know someone at your 3. Appeal to Deans to help fund forward within the context of a changing university who is attending and might be early stage graduates to attend global economy. Ideas were also interested in FINE participation, please international conferences such as exchanged on the internationalisation of let us know by emailing radhikagorur@ AERA and EARLI, and the FINE events education. Together with Paula Berneking yahoo.com or [email protected] associated with them. (Virginia), another member of the FINE

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most appropriate. We good practice; took the view that ƒ A willingness of participants to Heads of Administration future meetings should contribute to cyclical reviews of epresentatives from 10 member be described in such administrative services at other Rinstitutions (22 individuals in total) a way as to encourage participation from member institutions; attended the fi fth meeting of Heads of those member institutions where there is ƒ A renewed willingness to pursue Administration, held at Fudan University, not an identifi able senior offi cer who can opportunities for benchmarking Shanghai, on 23 and 24 April and exchange of comparative data, 2009. A very welcome additional initially on a small, but international, participant was the U21 Secretary scale and with a view to expanding General, Jane Usherwood. participation subsequently; ƒ A continued willingness on the part There were lively exchanges of of the group to advise and support experience and views, initiated by Presidents in connection with specifi c presentations from senior staff of U21 matters if so requested, but Fudan and by participants, on a without in any way cutting across the range of topics including: role of the U21 Managers; ƒ The willingness of participants to ƒ Planning in times of act as an informal network for the uncertainty; electronic exchange of advice and ƒ Sustainability in our good practice, especially in response universities (with particular reference be regarded as ‘Head of Administration’, and to specifi c queries from members; to student support); from a wider range of senior providers of ƒ The signifi cance of the role of ‘Heads professional support services. This would of Administration’ in embedding Staffi ng issues; ƒ imply a benefi cial widening of participation U21 activities in their institutions, ƒ Developments and trends in in the group’s work. Indeed this was well and facilitating participation in such institutional governance; and illustrated by the fact that at this meeting activities; ƒ Increasing the effi ciency of support we had encouraged attendance by up to ƒ The importance of those Heads of services. three people from each member of U21, Administration who are not U21 and this broadening of participation was Managers being kept well informed We also discussed U21’s Operational very valuable to our discussions. about U21 and its activities. Plan and the contribution which Heads of Administration might make to its Participants were most grateful to our Colleagues agreed that there was success, and there was extensive informal hosts in Fudan for their organisation of the considerable value in meeting every 18-24 discussion of a wide range of other topics meeting and their warm hospitality. months, but that this should be in the of mutual interest. context of continued electronic interaction In addition to the discussion of specifi c and pursuit of the matters set out above. There was a useful exchange of information topics, amongst the more general points to One member of the group acts as ‘virtual’ on current and proposed organisational emerge from the meeting were: chair (on a rotating basis), and the present structures in the universities represented chair, having overseen two meetings, has at the meeting, with particular regard to ƒ A continued wish to facilitate sought volunteers to take over this role. the location of administrative and other and develop opportunities for support services. This raised the question administrative staff exchanges and Melvyn Cornish of whether the nomenclature for our group visits between U21 institutions, so Group Convenor – Heads of Administration – remained the as to broaden experience and share University of Edinburgh

establish areas of common concern and possible collaboration, which could then Deans of Education group be pursued during the conference. Several cross-institutional visits have already been he U21 Deans of Education group including the establishment of an online arranged as a direct result of contacts meeting took place in San Diego database to facilitate interaction. One T established at the April meeting. It was on Monday 13 April and was attended highlight of the meeting was a presentation decided that the time set aside for next by Deans of Education and their by Professor Xiong and his colleagues from year’s meeting should be extended to allow representatives from nine U21 universities Fudan University, where a new Research additional opportunity for discussion. The and one observer (Professor Joao Pedro da Institute for Higher Education is being U21 Deans group has met annually from Ponte, University of Lisbon). The meeting established. A lively discussion of the topic 1999 and the meeting continues to provide focused on the exchange of information Global infl uences on educational policy and a much-valued forum for the exchange of on recent initiatives by the various faculties practice’ was catalysed by short papers ideas and the development of a variety of and schools of education and a sharing of from Professors Hope (Auckland), Menter collaborative initiatives. concerns. The meeting was also attended (Glasgow) and Tierney (UBC). by two representatives of the Forum for David Clarke International Networking in Education By convening the meeting just prior to Group Convenor (FINE), the U21 doctoral students in the annual conference of the American Education group, who reported to the Educational Research Association, Deans’ meeting on recent initiatives, participants had the opportunity to

Page 8 On the move On the move On the move

Rachel Walls went on a U21 research trip to Angela Piccini (Bristol but visiting scholar the University of British Columbia, funded by at UBC for ten months) also read through I sat in on several graduate classes during U21 at the University of Nottingham. Here this chapter and annotated it for me, my research trip. Dr Kevin McNeilly’s course she reports back about her experiences in and we met several times to discuss our on Popular Culture introduced me to . shared research interests and continue to relevant theory and the in-class discussions correspond and share resources. fortuitously touched on many topics vital y research trip was of great value to my thesis, including surveillance and Mand the diverse experiences I had Both Angela and Margot off ered advice analysing blogs as a creative or literary will strengthen the research I have already regarding ethics and collaborating with form. Laurie Ricou’s class on Ecocriticism undertaken and provide much impetus residents and activists. Prior to this I had and Habitats introduced me to new ways of and inspiration for the chapters I am yet already organised to volunteer at the thinking about and researching place, and to start. I presented at three conferences: Carnegie Community Centre two mornings to unusual and creative teaching practices. the English Graduate Conference on a week and was attending meetings Dr Richard Smith’s Surveillance and Film Forming Connections, Connecting Forms with the Fearless Media community arts class at SFU Harbour Centre (mere blocks at UBC Point Grey; the second annual association (now known as W2). I was from the Downtown Eastside) was also very Intermediality Conference, Screen Culture, initially uncomfortable with my position as helpful. Richard was kind enough to let me Intermediality and Interculturality at Simon an academic in these situations but with look through his fi les on surveillance and Fraser University Harbour Centre; and the advice from Angela and Margot I learnt has continued to keep me updated with Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference, how to be open about my research and surveillance-related debates in Vancouver. Border Crossings at UBC Okanagan. At each respectful in my interactions. This led to of these conferences I In addition to these made useful contacts activities I spent many and saw presentations hours in both UBC and on topics closely SFU’s libraries, copying related to my own work relevant theses and and received helpful watching fi lms that had feedback on my recent been diffi cult to get writing. access to from Britain. Staff at the UBC library Outside of conferences, were particularly helpful. I met many academics I also briefl y met Gillian and fellow PhD students Jerome (UBC) and Nick who off ered advice. Blomley (SFU) who have My initial contacts written key texts on the at UBC, Professors Downtown Eastside. I Richard Cavell, David met Paul Taylor, editor of Ley and Geraldine the Carnegie Newsletter Pratt, all pointed me in (a useful resource) while the direction of useful volunteering at the resources and more Carnegie Centre and recent contacts proved learnt much about the even more helpful. work of the community Professor Laurie Ricou centre and experiences (UBC) introduced me to of residents while his doctoral candidates talking informally as who both have similar I helped prepare and research interests to serve food at the centre my own. Furthermore, canteen. I made many it was suggested that new friends and research I got in touch with Dr connections and found Margot Bell, Director that interacting with of UBC’s Humanities people out of my usual 101 programme academic and British which organises comfort zone was, while non-credit courses for often daunting, character- Downtown Eastside and confi dence-building! residents (facilitating Rachel Walls with some of her research materials In addition to gaining attendance of low knowledge about my income peoples by providing bus/food successful and ongoing dialogues with PhD topic I developed my technological vouchers and reading material). Margot Fearless/W2 members and two recorded skills through work with W2 and witnessed has published several articles and book interviews as research for my chapter on innovative teaching and academic practices reviews about artistic and photographic online media. I went to diverse events at UBC and SFU. representations of the Downtown Eastside organised by W2 over the month I was which she passed on to me. She also read in Vancouver and continue to share Rachel Walls through my chapter on documentary and research with W2 through their internet American & Canadian Studies gave thorough feedback in person. Dr infrastructure now that I am back home. University of Nottingham

Page 9 Movers and Shakers Movers and Shakers

Helen Pennant objective in her engagement with New Manager for UBC the Association elen Pennant has been appointed to Before joining UBC Helen of Pacifi c Rim Ha new role at the University of British was in the British Foreign Universities (of Columbia: Executive Director, International. Service. Her last posting which UBC is also In this role she will become the main point was as First Secretary, member) and she of liaison with U21 at UBC. Helen has Labour and Education is looking forward been at UBC for three years as Director for Attaché at the British to learning International Aff airs. As Executive Director, Embassy in Paris. Prior to more about U21 International Helen will be responsible that, she held a variety and the role for advancing UBC’s international profi le of positions within the UBC can play by facilitating and sustaining relations European Commission to strengthen with international partners; cultivating and the British government. She holds BA this important association of leading international relationships and linkages; and MA in French and History from Oxford universities. and identifying and evaluating new University. Helen has already seen the international developments and risks of benefi ts that an international university We are pleased to welcome her to the relevance to UBC. association can bring to a university’s network and look forward to working wirh internationalisation process and its broader her in the future.

New Director of International Relations at Birmingham r Edward Harcourt has recently been (2006-09), previously serving as Assistant Dappointed Director of International Registrar (2003-2006). Edward has Relations at the University of Birmingham. worked extensively in the United States Director of a 24-person International – including three-year stints at Oxford Relations Offi ce he is responsible for University Press (USA) and The New York recruitment, mobility Academy of Sciences. Edward received his and exchange, international networks PhD in American history from Vanderbilt and consortia and overseas development. University, Tennessee and continues to Edward also leads on the development of publish articles in American journals on the international strategy across the institution. social history of the US Civil War period.

Prior to joining Birmingham on 1 April We look forward to strengthening relations 2009 Edward was Head of Institutional with him and his colleagues at the Relations at the University of Warwick University of Birmingham. Dr Edward Harcourt

not an easy thing, and yet a time to step aside to make way for others comes for all of us, John Casteen announces retirement and to me. I am profoundly grateful for these e were very sorry to maturation and years. Professor John Casteen Whear that John Casteen, then the adult President of the University of successes of well I look forward to this next year of work with Virginia and Chair of the U21 over 100,000 the university’s women and men, and to network since 2007 will be new , exchanging greetings with all who come retiring in July 2010. young and old. to the alumni, parent and other events that have been such agreeable parts of my Writing to the UVa community I came here life since 1990. Thank you for your many he commented: “These 19, soon as a student kindnesses during the last two decades, for to be 20, years feel today like a in 1961 fi lled your generosity to the university and to my very short time. My work and with awe that family and me, and for your commitment to friendships with the university’s this majestic the well-being of the young women and men faculty and staff , students (and place would who come here to ‘drink the cup of knowledge their parents), alumni and other accept and and fraternise with us.’ supporters are as energising teach me. [...] today as when I took on these To come here With you, I look forward to applauding and duties in August 1990. These years have been as president, to work these 20 years in good greeting the university’s eighth president magical times for me – years of supporting times and bad, to be surrounded by family when she or he is selected, and then I shall and admiring excellence in faculty work, and friends and many generous colleagues, look forward also to returning to the life and of rediscovering the university’s original to have a part in making our university the work of a faculty member.” mission as we have come to understand it global force that it now is, to share this work for our time, and perhaps also for the next and place with Betsy and our children – these John continues as Chair of the U21 Network generation, of hard and exciting work full of have been the substance and privileges of until the 2010 AGM in April. satisfaction that has come of observing the my life here. Ending this chapter of our lives is

Page 10 Around the Network Around the Network Opportunity for Bioengineers Edinburgh MEplanet – a consortium of 228 technologies, new person-to-person Buniversities, corporations, government links and enhanced corporate access for agencies, non-profi t societies and new markets – thus raising the fabric Global launched he University of Edinburgh’s Vice-Principal investment fi rms spanning 38 countries on of the fi eld and giving rise to increased International, Professor Stephen Hillier, six continents productivity T has recently launched the university’s – plans and improved Internationalisation Strategy 2008-12, to launch human health. ‘Edinburgh Global’. a unique Web 2.0 Comprised This broad-ranging, challenging and collaboration initially of ambitious strategy broadcasts Edinburgh’s suite in mid- 27 charter intention, as a long-established international July that will universities university, to increase its global profi le and accelerate and position itself in the future as “a place of fi rst education, research, and innovation in corporations, BMEplanet has grown choice in the minds of the world”. bioengineering. This suite, which will rapidly in recent months; new BME include an internship bank, collaborative programmes are joining every day. Key objectives are: project workspaces, and an ‘idea box’” Organisations that have partnered with will be freely available to bioengineers as BMEplanet have expressed excitement a service to the community. It is funded about the promise of the collaboration ƒ to achieve a broad international by the US National Science Foundation suite. “It is [a] pleasure to support … eff orts understanding of what the University of as well as the world’s largest foundation in creating a collaborative, global network Edinburgh stands for and what it off ers; devoted to entrepreneurship, the Ewing that serves biomedical engineers from the ƒ to attract the best students worldwide; Marion Kauff man Foundation. time they are students through the time they ƒ to continue to produce world- continue to develop innovative technologies renowned research and attract the BMEplanet was initiated in 2007 by Dr in improving human health,” wrote one best academics worldwide to work in Tom Skalak, Professor of Biomedical biomedical engineering department Edinburgh; and Engineering and the Vice-President for head. Another described how BMEplanet Research at the University of Virginia, could help raise the standing of emerging ƒ to ensure that knowledge is valued and with hopes of establishing a global academic programmes. If successful, the applied by business and government collaboration network that provides model employed by BMEplanet – applying worldwide. experiential education of new talent Web 2.0 tools to a targeted fi eld, all the for the bioengineering workforce as while involving a global audience – will be The strategy was formulated through well as enhanced translation of new extendible to other disciplines. extensive consultation across and beyond the bioengineering knowledge to products University. Implementation will be through and services. The collaboration suite aims A preview of the collaboration suite is tightly managed university-wide projects to address these goals in part through: available online at www.bmeplanet.org/ overseen by the VP International, supported features.html, and BMEplanet welcomes by a team of Deans International. ƒ an internship bank where individuals your feedback about specifi c features as can post internship or funding well as overall usability. Focus groups To fi nd out more and read a copy of the opportunities to which students can of faculty, students and corporate Internationalisation Strategy ‘Edinburgh apply; representatives are also being consulted. Global’ log on to www.ed.ac.uk/global. The fi nal collaboration suite, which ƒ collaborative project workspaces will take into account comments and Dr Dorothy Watson that research teams can use to share suggestions from the community, will University of Edinburgh fi les among team members, blog or be launched at www.bmeplanet.org in vlog about research progress, and The University of Edinburgh mid-July. track upcoming milestones;

ƒ an ‘idea box’ stimulating free If you are interested in joining this global exchange and discussion of ideas network, please call or e-mail Dr Erwin or discoveries, including non- Gianchandani, Executive Director of confi dential summaries of patent BMEplanet, to sign up your university/ fi lings as well as corporate design department today: +1 (434) 243-0890 or challenges. [email protected]. There is no cost to join. In addition, by having faculty, students, and corporate representatives create By signing up today, you can guarantee personalised profi les as they access these that your faculty and students will have tools, BMEplanet will result in the world’s access to BMEplanet’s collaboration suite largest repository of bioengineering and partner network the day it launches. experts. Together, these features will facilitate multi-university design projects, Dr Erwin Gianchandani international corporate internships, University of Virginia student design incubators for translational

Page 11 Around the Network Around the Network New Research Facilities at Lund Member n May it was announced that two huge MAX-lab. It is based on a unique design Iresearch facilities will be constructed in concept allowing the construction of an Lund – the European Spallation Source and ultra-brilliant synchrotron radiation source. Snapshot... MAX IV. Placing the two facilities next to The facility will provide X-rays for a wide ver since the University of Delhi each other enables to be a range of scientifi c disciplines, ranging Ebecame a part of Universitas 21, the world leading research centre for material from archeology and geology to materials university slowly but certainly has been research and life science. represented within the network and has also been The European Spallation Source participating in (ESS) will be a multi-disciplinary the programmes research laboratory based upon and research the world’s most powerful initiatives neutron source. Building is of other expected to start around 2012, universities the fi rst neutrons are to be within the produced in 2018-19 and the facility to be science, energy research, environmental fraternity of fully operational around 2023. science and medicine. U21. Colleagues are part of the Sustainability and Food ESS will support a user community of 5000 MAX IV and ESS will be placed next to Security projects which are high on our researchers and will have great strategic each other in a Science City outside Lund agenda. Very soon one more colleague importance for the development of the with laboratories, guest hotel, restaurants, from the Department of Geology will European Research Area. Lund and the offi ces and conference facilities that makes be joining the Water Resources project Malmö-Copenhagen region have excellent it possible for researchers to meet and which is being guided from Melbourne. conditions to attract leading scientists: interact. several large universities, a broad research- About a hundred students from the based industry, high-quality infrastructure, Together the two facilities will create a University of Birmingham will be visiting an English-speaking population and world- research environment that is hoped to us at the end of August for three weeks class research capabilities in, among other attract not only world-class researchers under the Study Programme. areas, bio- and nanotechnology. but also capital, companies and other entrepreneurs willing to commercialise the In the coming academic session, MAX IV is the next generation facility fi ndings and innovations coming from the beginning in July 2009, four or fi ve at the synchrotron radiation laboratory research. fourth year students from the University of Edinburgh will be joining the Department of History at our university to follow courses on South Asian History for a year. Similarly, UNSW will be Transforming Our Schools sending a student to study for a year at he links to web-based the Faculty of Law. TUniversity recordings of the of Nottingham full lectures in a The University of Delhi hosted a number of diff erent lecture series forms including entitled MP3 versions Transforming and PowerPoint our Schools presentations. in April. This was a series The series from leading was funded architects, school design consultants and by Nottingham under the Universitas educationalists that critically addressed 21 banner to foster interest amongst the government agenda to transform educationalists and architects in Five undergraduate students who education by building healthy and collaborative international research on excelled in a Science Competition will be sustainable schools. It included lectures school design. We now have a group of participating in the U21 Summer School. from Dr Elizabeth Hartnall-Young and academics, educationalists and architects Ms Lynne Sutton from the University of all keen to collaborate with others in We at regard this Melbourne and Department of Education researching new green school designs and partnership as a crucial step in our and Early Childhood Development, Victoria, the recordings already provide a wonderful pursuance of successful collaborations Australia. resource for increasing discussions with with fraternal institutions in diff erent others about sustainable schools and how parts of the world. Information about the series is publicly we might both educate and design for accessible on the School of Education education in the future. Some recordings Professor B P Sahu website at www.nottingham.ac.uk/ are also soon to be transferred to the U21 Manager education/events/transforming_schools_ University of Nottingham Educational University of Delhi speakers.php . This website also houses YouTube Channel.

Page 12 Issues for All Issues for All Issues for All Effective Partnerships for Economic Growth Professor John T Casteen III, Chair of U21 and global prosperity (albeit prosperity cut These recent reductions in support have President of the University of Virginia was short by the current recession). Nations only worsened the imbalance between among a number of notable guest speakers around the world depend on their the value that universities contribute to at the 4th annual U21 Symposium, held on universities to stimulate economic growth, their nations and the support they receive 21 May 2009 in conjunction with the U21 yet many universities do not receive – or fail to receive. This imbalance may annual network meeting and hosted by Korea support commensurate with the demands accelerate a shift toward greater university University. Professor Casteen spoke on Policy they are facing. autonomy that was already underway. and Reciprocity: Eff ective Partnerships for Economic Growth. In recent decades, public funding has We have always struggled to defi ne struggled and often failed to meet the the appropriate relationship between n today’s knowledge-driven global growing costs of expanding higher universities and governments, working Ieconomy, universities are essential education systems around the world. The to strike the proper balance between contributors to regional, national, and global fi nancial crisis has only exacerbated university autonomy and accountability. worldwide economic growth. This happens the problem and universities around Nations and their respective systems of in several ways: the world are facing budget cuts and public education should be partners, but endowment losses simultaneously. My when partnerships become unequal the ƒ Research universities shift toward autonomy is support and a natural consequence. strengthen the Budget cuts resulting private sector through from the global recession technology-transfer may force universities to programmes and seek autonomy and to business-liaison diversify funding bases programmes. to survive in our current economic environment. ƒ They develop spin- off companies that University fi nancing generate inventions, models, student fi nancial- patents, and licenses aid systems, policies that drive the regarding non-national economy. students, funding ƒ Universities are often schemes for research the largest employers and related issues vary in their communities. considerably from nation They foster local to nation. Despite these vitality through discrepancies, the need procurement and for consistent frameworks employment. for increased autonomy may continue to grow as ƒ With liberal education, the demands on colleges universities prepare and universities surpass students to assume the capacities of the civic-minded public-funding systems leadership roles that support them. in business and government. Universities will help ƒ By off ering advanced bring about the economic degrees in economics recovery that will come and economic policy, eventually – through universities equip research, technological students with specifi c advances, workforce skills for careers in development and job public policy. creation. To do this work, ƒ Through economic universities will need policy centres or Professor John Casteen giving his address at the U21 Symposium freedoms to manage institutes, universities operations effi ciently and assist government policy-makers university, for instance, will see a $12.4m plan for the future. To make this happen, in the design of eff ective economic cut in 2009-10, as we recover from a 25% we will need public policies that facilitate policies. endowment decline in Q3-Q4 2008. The the evolution toward university autonomy NewYork Times reported in January that the that is already underway. In these and other ways, universities have value of university endowments fell 23% on become the drivers of national economic average in the fi ve-month period ending 30 competitiveness and major sources of November 2008.

Page 13 U21 in the news The past few months have seen U21 receiving some high profi le news coverage around the world.

The UK’s Times Higher Education magazine reported on the Joint PhD agreement, as did a number of local newspapers in Virginia, Korea, Nottingham and Birmingham. The press conference at the U21 annual network meeting Meanwhile, a national newspaper in the UK, Casteen (Virginia), Eastwood (Birmingham), Professor Tan of the National University The Indepednent, carried an article written Tan (NUS), Greenaway (Nottingham), of Singapore, Professor Casteen of the by a student from Birmingham on a U21 O’Shea (Edinburgh) and Lee (Korea) University of Virginia and Professor O’Shea visit to all three of our Australian member attended a press conference at Korea of the University of Edinburgh were all universities. University to speak about the U21, the 2009 personally interviewed by the Korean press Symposium and the internationalisation of in conjunction with the U21 AGM in Korea. Last, but not certianly not least, Professors higher education around the network.

Forthcoming U21 Events Forthcoming U21 Events

13-24 July 2009 U21 Summer School , Australia

15 July 2009 U21 Managers’ Teleconference 14:00hs BST

University of British Columbia, 20-24 July 2009 UBC/U21 Summer Institute in Sustainability

5-9 October 2009 U21 Learning Environments Design Froum University of Virginia, USA

12-16 October 2009 U21 Health Sciences Annual Meeting Korea University

15-21 October 2009 U21 Undergraduate Research Conference University of Glasgow, UK

22-23 October 2009 U21 Managers’ Meeting University of Glasgow, UK

4-5 November 2009 U21 Food Security Workshop University of Edinburgh, UK

U21 Teaching & Learning Conference University of Nottingham, 12-13 November 2009 Teaching & Learning for Employability in a Global Economy Ningbo Campus, China 29 November- University of Melbourne & U21 Graduate Research Conference 6 December 2009 University of Queensland, Australia

9 December 2009 U21 Managers’ Teleconference 23:00hs GMT

29-30 April 2010 U21 Annual Presidential Meeting & AGM University of Delhi, India

1-3 June 2009 U21 PVC Research Meeting University of Nottingham, UK

Universitas 21 Strathcona 109 • University of Birmingham • Edgbaston • Birmingham • B15 2TT • UK T: +44 121 415 8870 • F: +44 121 415 8873 • E: [email protected] www.universitas21.com

The deadline for receiving articles for the next newsletter is Wednesday 30 September 2009. Please send any text, photos or ideas to Clare Noakes ([email protected]) in the Secretariat.

Page 14 TThehe BBackack PPageage IInterviewnterview TheThe BackBack PagePage InterviewInterview r Heungsuk Choi is that we could not What does ‘internationalisation’ mean to DVice-President for attempt on our you? International Aff airs at own. Korea University and was Internationalisation at KU is essentially instrumental in organising What are your about fostering Global Leaders – people the 2009 AGM which KU favourite parts of whose attitudes have a distinctively global hosted. your job? scope, coupled with a keen awareness of regional implications. Someone who has What is a typical day in your My favourite the ability to engage others to participate job as VP International of part of working in a common project, and the ability to Korea University? in international know how to accomplish it, by navigating education is the through diff ering social, economic and So far, as Vice-President sense that I am cultural diff erences. KU is helping students for International Aff airs becoming a more to achieve these goals by requiring at KU, I can say that there ‘holistic’ educator. students to take a double major consisting are no typical days. This What I mean is that of up to 140 credits for graduation. Also, position involves not in addition to my students are required to take a certain only much travel but also an abundance previous role as a professor, I am now also number of courses delivered in English of meetings and consultation sessions. equipping students with opportunities to and achieve an acceptable TOEIC score. So depending on where I am, in Korea or learn and grow through international life They also need to pass a Chinese character abroad, this position doesn’t lend itself to experiences. This helps to build character competency test to graduate. There are having a typical schedule. I also fi nd time and expand perspective, which I believe two additional requirements that have to teach graduate students and supervise is a hallmark of a truly well-educated not yet become mandatory, but which are their research. This keeps me connected person. At KU we talk a lot about fostering being considered for implementation in the to my position as a professor of public Global Leaders for the future, and I am very near future: a requirement for competency administration. pleased to say that through the abundance in a European language and to fulfi l of international experiences we off er requirements for community service. What are the key challenges you are facing students, they are certainly on their way to currently? developing the skills necessary to become What was your proudest professional eff ective leaders and good global citizens, moment? Currently it is the development of Korea University’s new strategic plan for What would you most like to change in Well of course it has to be the successful international activities. Having taken Higher Education? hosting of the U21 AGM! It was a great over this portfolio only recently, I am now experience for us and we enjoyed the reviewing the existing programmes and Domestically, I would like to see opportunity to highlight KU to all the activities and attempting to enhance them Korean universities focus less on delegates. through a more focused approach, given university rankings. Though this kind of the talent of our staff and our resources. benchmarking system can play a role in Which fi gures from history would you invite to Learning Chinese is another challenge PR, I think investing excessive resources to a dinner party and why? of mine these days, although I cannot enhance one’s rank can become unhealthy allot as much time to it as I would like. My for an organisation because it indirectly At the risk of exposing a bit of patriotism, I Chinese language skill would enhance sets the agenda for university development would have to say that I would like to invite my work at the moment, as KU recently that might not suit the institution’s King Sejong from Korea’s Chosun Dynasty built an international resource centre and particular needs. Internationally, I would in the 17th century. He was not only a very dormitory at Renmin University of China. like to see more information sharing eff ective leader and administrator, but also It should be offi cially opened in this August. between researchers and academics. As a very practically-minded scholar. It was essentially a facilitator, it is often diffi cult under his initiative that Korean scholars What does KU have to off er U21? What does to know how we can assist our researchers created and developed Hangul, which is it/you hope to get from it? through the utilisation of our extensive the Korean alphabet. For those that know partnership base. This partnership base the language, it really is a wonder, in its At the moment the most important is a very valuable resource if we were only elegance, simplicity and style. I would love asset that KU off ers U21 is its experience able to connect it more practically with our to ask him more about how this project in student mobility and partnership academics at KU. This can only happen of was developed and how he addressed the development. KU has one of the highest course with increased information sharing, many challenges he must have faced. numbers of international student traffi c and so a mechanism needs to be found to from among the network as well as a huge fi ll in the gaps and get people together. What is your favourite book? partnership base from which to draw expertise, support and new ideas. In the What motivates you each day when you There are so many great books it is hard to long term, once the other departments and come to work? say, but I would have to mention Brothers colleges at KU begin to participate more Karamozov by Dostoevsky. Beyond being actively in the variety of programmes that I am grateful to have a very talented group a fascinating story it also is a systematic U21 off ers, I think that we will emerge as of staff in my offi ce. Their enthusiasm, articulation of modern existential problems. a very dynamic member of the metwork. energy and experience have really helped For this reason I try to re-read this book KU hopes to utilise membership in U21 motivate me to focus on developing our at least once every 10 years, because as to develop more signifi cant collaboration internationalisation programmes and I I change, so too are the insights I gain between the members, as well as leverage really look forward to working with them through reading the story. our membership to help us achieve goals each day.

Page 15