#talentbites

#talentbites

Where do we find the University’s future talent, and

why?Dominic Milne

Deputy Head of International Office

#talentbites

Why?• International students are crucial to the University’s

internationalisation objectives, and to our financial health.

• Currently around 1750 international students (non EU/EEA) paying between £12k and £23k per year in tuition fees.

• Priority 1, 2 and 3 countries/markets for recruitment.• Importance of Nigeria, China, USA, Thailand & Malaysia.• Target of 2360 international students by September

2015.

#talentbites

The world’s a big place, but….

• We must articulate our unique selling points (USPs) in a crowded international education market.

• Depending on who we are trying to reach we might lead with (given our audience today!):– We are the only university outside of North America to be named

a Halliburton Strategic Education Partner.– One of only two European universities that is a Chevron Global

Preferred Partner.

OR– 5 Nobel Prizes awarded for research and a UK Top 5 Medical

School.

• We need to enter markets with our leading edge.

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Segmentation of markets

• One size doesn’t fit all, and never will– Be clear with messaging to each market.– E.g. Nigeria and faith provision!

• Geopolitical situation and on the ground intelligence.– These must inform our marketing strategies, and do.

• Industry links, and new programme development.– MSc Petrophysics & Formation Evaluation with LR Senergy.– Delivery in Abu Dhabi & Houston.

• Combat any issues head on.– E.g. destination and Lonely Planet guide.

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Segmentation of markets, an example in practice

• ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Integration 2009 – 2015– Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia & Brunei are key

markets for the University.– Between 2 and 4 recruitment visits to each country per year.– Universities within the ASEAN community are changing their

academic timetables so we need to be ready to cope with this.– Awareness of in-country government scholarships schemes and

government strategic planning.• E.g. Offshore reserves in Indonesia and lack of trained local staff.• E.g. Thai Civil Service.• E.g. MARA scholarships in Malaysia.

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Distil what you know and use it….

• Importance of a geopolitical understanding.

Heightened regional tensions in GCC.

Existing complex relations now even more so, e.g. Qatar and removal of ambassadors.

Wider implications of air strikes against Islamic State (IS) in Syria?

e.g. Kurdistan.

Interplay between nations – brought more into the spotlight since Arab Spring.

The more we know the more informed our decisions going forward should be – we always want to know more than our competitors!

#talentbites

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