…or Graduate Success role An international student who graduated with a law degree from Kingston University two years ago has returned to take up a new role equipping young people with the skills to succeed in the modern workplace. Faustina Edward, from Saint Lucia, previously worked in supporting young people through community youth development activities in her home country before going into higher education. The 26-year-old is now building on th…
…Economics and Political Science (LSE). Rabia chose Derby for her master’s degree because the location suited her personal situation. Having completed her undergraduate studies in Canada, she worked for four years as a researcher at the Neuroscience Institute in Qatar. When her husband (an A&E specialist) took up a role at the Royal Derby Hospital, the family relocated to the city, drawn by its central location and affordability. But there was muc…
…sh Velmurugan grew up in Chennai, India, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in engineering before pursuing an ERASMUS+ funded master’s programme in Europe, studying in both France and Poland. He then applied to join the University of Hertfordshire to continue his research in medical robotics, where is currently studying for a PhD. “I have always been interested in the application of tech in healthcare, so after my master’s I was looking to g…
…everal University Alliance members are also providing new blended learning degrees in nursing and midwifery. University Alliance universities have long worked with partners within the local communities to address capacity challenges and skills needs and are increasingly drawing on these partnerships to identify new types of placement providers beyond the NHS, for example, independent and private hospitals and care homes. Despite this progress, sev…
…to keep work away from your bed. During the first year of my undergraduate degree, my bed called out to me as comfortable, warm and with room to spread everything out. Unfortunately, I quickly found that once my studies permeated my bed, there was no escape. I unconsciously associated my bed with work, keeping me up at night, seeping into my dreams. Group support Following a virtual writing retreat for PhD researchers, a few of us developed a week…
…tions that online learning is less valuable or cheaper than a ‘traditional degree’. Government and Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) should ensure that the measures used for regulating, monitoring and evaluating teaching and learning incentivise high quality digital delivery, and the HE sector should review its internal processes and systems to ensure that they are fully compatible with, and not a hindrance to, digital teaching…
…heir students’ access to the clinical practice they need to complete their degree. As well as limiting the number of students who can qualify, many students on placement end up providing support for staff shortages. Having to provide care, for which they are not qualified, significantly impacts on the stress levels and well-being of students and in turn impacts on the standards of the workforce and ultimately the safety of patients. Alliance unive…
…e value of the profession. Restoring incentives and funding for healthcare degrees and CPD is understandably another area about which Debra is passionate. Her own educational journey has fundamentally shaped Debra’s approach to running a university, and higher education more broadly. She says “I really believe in the value of in-practice learning. Whether its curating collections, testing engines, surveying a site, working in health practice or in…
…ledge of the world. Having failed to apply for one during my undergraduate degree, when I started my PhD, with the Doctoral Training Alliance, I was clear that if I ever had opportunity to undertake placement I would jump at the chance. A few months into my PhD I spoke to my DTA supervisor. I mentioned a few companies I knew were offering placements for PhD students and he was very supportive. Ideally it had to be related to my research project bu…
…ing across the board. People, whether doing a college course or university degree, have the same aspirations, ambitions and ability to succeed. That’s why one of my first meetings has been with the Association of Colleges on how we can work closely together in future. We are dealing with the most volatile political, policy and public environment for decades. We’ve got Brexit with all its short-, medium- and long-term ramifications, whilst there is…
