IUPC Debate Item July 2016 - How Do We Adapt Our Approach to Partnerships Globally And

IUPC-1516-048

Item 5.1

International & UK Partnerships Committee (IUPC) Debate Item

Title: ‘How do we adapt our approach to partnerships globally and in Europe specifically to maximise the available opportunities, in the light of Brexit?’

Date/Time: 20 July 2016, 9am

Location: Board Room, Poole House

1. Background

In the wake of the Brexit vote in the UK Referendum on whether the UK should stay in the European Union on 23 June 2016, a debate about the implications of Brexit from the EU for the University’s global partnershipsapproach generally and our work in Europe specificallyis essential.

Despite the uncertainty following the referendum, BU is very clear about our direction of travel for global engagement as articulated in BU 2018 and the Global Engagement Plan. Indeed the referendum result provides an opportunity to mould and present a BU proposition for Europe more widely (not just the EU states) and for us to engage with Europe on a deeper level than has been the case to date.

Europe remains crucial to global engagement at BU given its proximity to the UK, facilitating ease of travel and mobility for BU staff and students. However, the rise of other world regions, particularly Asia, in international higher education means that a debate is required on how we should prioritise our effort and focus our work with Europe.

1. Partnerships & Mobility in the EU: how engaged are we already?

The University currently has circa 119 global partnerships, of which 74 are Erasmus+ partnerships with EU states for staff and student exchange. Each year BU applies to the National Agency in the UK for the EU Erasmus+ programme for staff and student mobility and is awarded a grant of between €200,000 and €280,000.

In 2015/16, 28 students went on study exchanges funded through the Erasmus+ programme, 41 students undertook work placements in EU countries funded through Erasmus+, and around 12 staff did teaching or professional exchanges.

However, it is worth noting that the same number of students undertook study exchanges, 28, at our partners outside Europe in Asia and North America. And 62 students did work placements funded through the Global Horizons Fund in countries outside Europe.
Appendix A below shows the data for partnerships and mobility for 2015/16.

1. Activity outside the EU: how reliant on Europe are we?

As noted above, around half of our student exchange activity already takes place with partners outside the EU, and more than half of our centrally-funded work placements take place outside the EU also. We currently do not have any international recognition partners for student recruitment in the EU. Our current 6 recognition partners are located in Asia.

We have launched 3 Hubs of Practice over 2015/16, all in Asian countries (ASEAN region, India and China) that have pump-prime funding from BU to facilitate activities and the creation of networks of partnerships to deliver global traction. The University is already investing in engagement in regions that are experiencing well-documented growth outside the EU.

Two pilot cohort mobility programmes providing an immersive experience in the cultures, study environments and industry networks of two Asian countries, India and China were also launched in 2016, providing innovative learning experiences for 24 students.

The pilot locations for taking BU’s established Festival of Learning global in June 2016 were partners in two Asian countries, China and Malaysia, delivering impact through the mobility of 60 BU staff and students.

The data in Appendix A shows that four Faculties mostly have an even spread of activity across both EU partners and non-EU partners. However, the Faculty of Health & Social Science has 13 EU partners compared to 7 international partners outside the EU.

1. Where next for our work in Europe?

It is possible that the UK government will be able to negotiate continued access to Erasmus+ but the comment from EU leaders at the moment suggests that this is unlikely. This is an area that we will need to watch; however in the meantime we need a more strategic approach to partnerships and mobility in Europe, based on the assumption that access to Erasmus+ will be lost or at the least reduced when the UK finally leaves the EU.

It is therefore timely to re-consider which BU subject areas and related industries are best suited for partnerships and mobility activity in Europe – particularly those areas that will experience less impact as a result of the exit negotiations..

We need to evaluate the capacity of partners (current, in development, or early stage of relationship) to engage in activities beyond Erasmus+ staff and student exchange. The UK may or may not have direct access to EU research funding once the UK leaves the EU, but EU partners may be able to work with us as partners or collaborators under EU funded projects or those funded directly in their countries or by other international bodies.

If the existing structures do fall away, we will need to focus our effort and prioritise our investments in order to ensure that we maximise the value of our relationships in Europe.

1. Areas for Discussion

• Mobility – the Erasmus structure and funding has supported BU’s approach to mobility – assuming it falls away, what if anything we do differently or how should we focus our effort for mobility going forwards?
• EU structures, together with organic academic led collaboration have formed a foundation for our partnerships in Europe. The academic led collaboration will continue – but should we now also take a more strategic approach to Europe as we have done with the rest of the world?
• If so, should we focus on regions, subject areas and industries or other common areas of interest? Which ones?
• What sources of external funding could be targeted to fund these activities?
• Do we already have existing partners or relationships (perhaps not as formal academic partnerships) that should be prioritised to build new strategic relationships?
  

Appendix A

1. Statistics of current partnerships and mobility activity globally

Partnerships

BU currently has partnerships in the following regions and countries, shown by Faculty:

Mobility (2015/16):

1