Developing international partnerships and making funding applications between (UK and Vietnam)

Bill Burson

Head of Partnerships, Global Wales

Universities Wales

Bill.Burson@uniswales.ac.uk

www.uniswales.ac.uk

What is Global Wales?

“Global Wales provides a strategic, collaborative approach to international higher and further education in Wales. The partnership brings institutions and organisations working in support of international education together in a commitment to work collaboratively to boost Wales’ international profile, build networks and partnerships and support increased international recruitment”

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Global Wales III objectives are to:

1. Increase student numbers from priority international markets
2. Maintain and grow partnerships in priority international markets
3. Generate additional export earnings from priority markets
4. Increase the awareness and reputation of Welsh universities and FE colleges in priority markets

Wrexham University

wrexham.ac.uk

Our Universities

• Leads a programme of activities to promote Wales’ higher and further education institutions across four priority regions/countries: Europe, North America, India, Vietnam

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• Recruitment events and activities and the building of recruitment networks
• The development and funding of education and research partnerships
• The marketing of institutions through ‘Study in Wales’
• Scholarships (directly and through partnerships with prestigious scholarship awarding bodies)

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• Promotes collaboration within and between sectors to drive results and forge a reputation for Wales as an innovator in this area

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• System to system: Global Wales can draw on the input of its partner organisations to respond to partner requirements quickly and comprehensively – including governments, agencies, institutions – providing a joined up view of our education system

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What does Global Wales do and how?

Developing international partnerships – Finding the right partner

1. Don’t be distracted by funding – focus on the value of the partnership

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• Make sure you have shared interest, specialism or common cause/challenge

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• Understand your experience levels – if you/they are inexperienced make sure you seek assistance from experienced colleagues

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• Don’t feel obliged to commit to everyone. Select carefully and think about your/your university’s long-term ambitions

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Developing international partnerships – Working together

1. Start small and simple – short-term, outcome-orientated projects will make clear if you are well suited to longer-term, resource intensive projects.

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• Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) targets*

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• Agree Terms of Reference – what will you do and what will you not do

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• Agree schedules of communication and stick to them – even if there are no obvious project updates.

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• Appreciate that working cultures and different – what works in one place does not necessarily apply to another

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Developing international partnerships – Making funding applications

1. Plan to have the application ready at least two weeks before the deadline – something will hold you up

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• Understand the funders priorities and make sure you address them through your application and your project

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• Don’t have intentions – make commitments

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• Use direct, concise language – avoid jargon and remember using a higher number of words doesn’t mean you’re saying more.

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• Make friends with your finance department!

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• Don’t hope – plan! And use the right tools.

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Developing international partnerships – Some useful tools and concepts

1) SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) targets

“I want to get fitter”

“By the end of July 2024, I will be able to run 10K in under 1 hour”

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2) Critical Path

An analysis of the steps required for you to reach your goal, the order you need to complete them and the interdependencies.

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3) SWOT

What are the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats to your partnership

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4) RACI charts

For activities, make clear who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed

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* See also – Theory of Change, Problem Tree Analysis, Risk Register, Cost/benefit etc.

Thank you – Cảm ơn!

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Questions?

Bill Burson

Head of Partnerships, Global Wales

Universities Wales

Bill.Burson@uniswales.ac.uk

www.uniswales.ac.uk