POSTGRADUATE MOBILITY Professor G R Tomlinson University of Sheffield, UK 4 th International Conference on Postgraduate Education (ICPE-4) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 2010

A few messages : International postgraduate research (PGR) students are essential for the success of an economy (worth >£600 million per annum to the UK economy direct – much more indirect) They contribute to the growth of the knowledge economy and enhance / motivate the research output of Universities, supporting aspirations of ‘world-class’ The need for trained doctoral level staff is growing in the global economy, (India, China, Nigeria, Malaysia) Have we got the ‘best’ models for sustaining postgraduate mobility?

Some challenges that institutions face with regards to international delivery: Affordability Flexibility Supervision / infrastructure Supply and demand regarding subjects Immigration / visa issues

Where are the leading destination countries for international HE students at all levels of study : Destination CountryNumbers (2007) US600,000 UK360,000 Germany260,000 France240,000 Australia210,000 Japan126,000 Russia 90,000 China 80,000 Canada 72,000 New Zealand 41,000

However, we might observe a world where there is likely to be : more intense international competition more diverse education ‘products’ and a wider variety of delivery mechanisms more varied perceptions of the benefits of HE greater discrimination

influence of the ‘digital world’ influence of the private sector re priorities and business models changing nature of the doctorate (split site, professional, jointly awarded …)

Attractiveness of Country destinations favoured by international PGR students :

Trends in Postgraduate Research in UK (HESA data) Country2005/62008/9 China USA Germany Greece Malaysia India Canada France Ireland Saudi Arabia Taiwan Thailand Japan Hong Kong Libya Nigeria Note: Total PGR in 08/09 was 54,730

Areas of Study Subject Area2005/62008/9 Engineering & Technology Social Sciences Physical Sciences Biological Sciences Business Studies Education Medicine & Dentistry Subjects allied to Medicine

International PGR Students – relative perception of reputation 1=Very poor 2= Poor 3 = Good 4= Very good

So what are the major factors influencing PGR Students to be mobile? Note : Above is for international students in the UK

What might be other key factors?

What about Funding? International PGR Students in the UK Students own personal funds 48% Student scholarship from home 15% International scholarships 0.5% UK Support : Fee waivers 26.5% UK scholarships and foundations 3.5%

Percentage of PGRs supported by their home government or employer : CountryHighest %age support Saudi Arabia70 Libya66 Mexico60 Oman57 Thailand51 Malaysia51 Egypt50

What is driving global demand? Fast growth of the provision in lower and middle income countries with a lack of research infrastructure for staff development Increasing investment in research Competitive international employment market and its access

What might be the barriers? Inflexible delivery Inadequate funding support (including access to part-time work) What is the doctorate degree? Quality of the student experience

Flexible Doctorates: JARD – Jointly Awarded Research Degree ARAP – A*Star Research Attachment Programme

JARD : Developed in partnership with UPM and is a PhD programme with a high degree of flexibility The scheme offers an award (officially on the certificate) from two world class universities Up to 18 months is spent at both UPM and the UoS (minimum of 12 months) Local fees are paid for the duration of the study period at each University List of ‘supervisors’ and research areas / key researchers available to UPM to ensure quality co-supervision Jointly owned IPR (in equal proportion) Visiting Professor Scheme

ARAP : A*Research Attachment Programme Developed in partnership with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) in Singapore A 4 year PhD programme with the PhD awarded by the UoS Students typically spend up to 2 years at an A*Star Research Institute in Singapore and up to 2 years in UoS When students are in Singapore, A*Star pays a stipend. When the students are in Sheffield, a scholarship is provided. IPR is jointly shared Scheme is only open to UK / European students