The international market is now a fiercely competitive
arena for university student recruitment. Universities across
Europe, Australia, North America and latterly the Middle East and
Asia battle for the attention of international students as the
value of gaining an overseas education increases. The international
student body at the University of Wolverhampton is increasing year
on year and the work of the international regional offices has made
a significant contribution to the success of overseas recruitment
and other international activities.
The University has five regional offices located in China,
India, Nigeria, Malaysia and Poland and their roles are to give
advice on administrative and academic matters, including
information about the courses, bursaries and scholarships.
Where applicable, the offices can assist with the visa
application process and make arrangements for prospective students
to talk to University staff. They also provide information about
what life is like at the University of Wolverhampton for the
prospective student and their families. Established in 2002, the
South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
is the most established office. Headed by Bee Bee Gan this office
acts as a contact and support point for all University activities
in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries in the
region.
The South Asia Regional Office (SARO) in New Delhi, India was
set up in 2005 to build the University of Wolverhampton brand name
in India, Sri-Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. Managed by Pragyat
Singh, this office has increased eight-fold the numbers of students
studying at the University from this subcontinent.
Pragyat explains: “SARO has managed to build a brand for the
University symbolising British education which earlier only related
to Oxford, Cambridge or the London School of Economics.”
On a regional level, SARO also played a major role in the
success of the Wolverhampton-India Project, which aims to
strengthen existing links and open up new opportunities in
education, trade and culture.
Eze Osita is Head of the West and Central Africa Regional Office
(WACARO) in Abuja, Nigeria, which was established in June 2007.
However, it is not Eze’s first encounter with the University as his
uncle studied here in the 1970s. The University of Wolverhampton is
now one of the most popular universities in Nigeria and at the end
of last year Eze was honoured with a Great African Merit Award in
recognition of his contribution to education. Eze adds: “All
students known to me are happy studying at the University and
always do well in their profession here.”
The China Regional Office (CRO) opened in August 2007. Gao
Dongbo (Jeffrey), Head of CRO, is the key liaison between the
University and Chinese partners and prospective students. A key
role for CRO is engaging with the parents of prospective students,
who normally do not speak very good English. Parents are the key
decision maker for their children and CRO is well trusted by them,
so much so some students have decided to study at Wolverhampton
rather than other universities from which they had already received
offers.
The Central European Regional Office (CERO) was also established
in August 2007 in Torun, Poland. The office, headed by Anna Czuba,
acts as a contact and support point for all University activities
in Central Europe including Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and
the Baltic States. This year CERO has introduced Patronage
Agreements, an agreement between Polish secondary schools and the
University. CERO has already formed agreements with four secondary
schools and more have expressed interest.
Anna believes the regional offices have a role to play in the
success of the University in the UK and overseas. She says: “In my
opinion regional offices are very important for the University. Not
only do they provide a high standard service in the native language
of the country they are present in, but they also raise the profile
of the University.”
Through the relentless work of the regional offices and the
pre-arrival and induction support provided by the International
Office, the University continues to attract a high volume of
international students.
Jo Gittens, Director, International, is proud of the success of
the regional offices and the tremendous service they offer students
and their families who want to find out more about the University
of Wolverhampton. Jo also recognises the value of having strong
links in the countries where the students live. She says: “In this
competitive marketplace the regional offices play an even greater
role in sustaining the recruitment of international students, as
well as partnership development and nurturing and seeking
opportunities for, and facilitating developments in, transnational
education.
“Once here, our international students play an important role in
the diversity and atmosphere of the University.”
For more information about the University of Wolverhampton’s
International Office, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/international
