International graduate employability: Making good on the promise

28 Jan 2020, 09:30 - 17:00

20 Tavistock Square 
London
United Kingdom
WC1H 9HQ

Book here

Overview

The conference

International graduate employability is moving up the agenda. Global competitors such as New Zealand and Australia have made it central to their internationalisation efforts, and it is a key strand of the UK government’s new international education strategy. The employability outcomes of our graduates are increasingly essential for the competitive advantage of the UK’s higher education sector. Now we have the post study work visa we have argued for for so long, how do we make sure that universities have the support in place to help our international graduates secure good jobs, in the UK, in their home countries, or elsewhere?

Why should you attend?

While the post study work visa will help the UK compete, supporting international graduate employability is the next competitive frontier. There is a clear imperative to place international graduate employability front and centre of our international strategies in a constantly shifting environment. Technology and globalisation are radically changing the skills needs of the future workplace.

This conference will pull together expertise from the UK and around the world to help participants learn from their counterparts and competitors. It will be underpinned by case studies drawn from new research by UUKi and AGCAS to answer the question: how can we prepare our international graduates for global success?

Who should attend?

This conference will be useful for staff who have responsibility for or play a part in the international student experience at their university. This conference is open to all with an interest in this topic, however particularly relevant job titles include:

Pro Vice-Chancellor (International)
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Employability and Partnerships)
Director of International Strategy/Recruitment
Director/Head of Careers & Employability Service
International Marketing Officer
International Operations Manager
International Student Experience/ Support Officer/Adviser
International Development Manager
Employer Liason Officer/Manager

If you have any questions about this or any other of our events, please contact us on events@universitiesuk.ac.uk or 020 7419 5535.

We also have a range of sponsorship opportunities available at this event. Please contact Esther Dudley, Head of Events and Engagement for information. tel: 020 7419 5412; email: esther.dudley@universitiesuk.ac.uk.

Agenda

10.00 – 10.15	Lord Karan Bilimoria: from international student to international employer Lord Karan Bilimoria Lord Bilimoria, who studied in the UK as an international student, is the President of the UK Council for International students, Vice-President of the Confederation of British Industry, Chancellor of the University of Birmingham and founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer. From his unique position as a spokesperson for international students, business and the higher education sector, Lord Bilimoria will reflect on his own experiences to highlight ways in which the sector can make good on the promise of careers success for its international graduates.
10.15 – 10.45	The global picture: how study destinations around the world support international graduate employability Brett Berquist, Director International, University of Auckland The UK higher education sector has long wished for a graduate visa offer as attractive as some of our overseas competitors. But how successful have other study destinations been in maximising their graduate visa offers to make good on the promise of employability for their international students? And now that a two-year graduate visa route has been announced in the UK, what can we learn from the experiences of colleagues overseas to ensure that we deliver for our international students and see sustainable growth in recruitment? Brett Berquist, International Director at the University of Auckland and member of the International Education Association of Australia's Research Committee, will give us an insight into the successes and challenges of some of our competitor countries.
10.45 – 11.10	To be announced
11.10 – 11.30	Making good on the promise: recommendations for change The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, on behalf of UUKi, UKCISA and the University of Coventry, has conducted an extensive study into best practice in international graduate careers support in the UK. The results of the study will be launched in this session, along with a set of ambitious recommendations for the sector which aim to ensure the UK maintains and advances its position as a world leader in international graduate employability.
11.30 – 11.50	Refreshment break
11.50 – 12.50	Morning breakout sessions 1. Making the local global: working with local employers and SMEs 2. The international student perspective 3. What does the data say?
12.50 – 13.50	Lunch
13.50 – 14.50	Afternoon breakout sessions 1. Tailor-made: matching careers advice and guidance to international students’ needs 2. Engaging international employers 3. Global networks: alumni engagement and international employability
14.50 – 15.10	Refreshment break
15.10 – 15.50	Making international employability a strategic priority Panel discussion - speakers to be announced It’s a key strand of the government’s International Education Strategy, it has an impact on student decision making and scholarship eligibility lists and the Secretary of State for Education recently asked the Office for Students to focus on it. International graduate employability is moving quickly up the agenda. How can institutions reflect this at a strategic level to ensure an integrated and impactful approach?
15.50 – 16.35	Beyond post-study work: what’s next for international graduate employability? Panel discussion - speakers to be announced Our panel of local and global employers will discuss their views on the future of international graduate employability. How are the skills needs of the global labour market shifting, and how can universities keep up with the changes? How would employers like to work even more closely with universities to ensure they can make the most of globally skilled graduates? How can the sector work with industry to ensure the new graduate visa route is a success?

Sanaa Busaidy-Hubert

Events Producer

Universities UK

Esther Dudley

Head of Events and Engagement

Universities UK

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