Swansea University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard B. Davies has attended a major education conference in Rio de Janeiro to strengthen the University’s international links and discuss the key topics for the future of higher education around the globe.
Professor Davies was amongst 1,103 Vice-Chancellors from 33 countries at the 3rd Universia International Vice-Chancellors’ Meeting, which closed with an institutional commitment subscribed by all universities in the Rio University Charter 2014.
In May this year Swansea University joined the Universia network run by Santander which promotes international exchange, entrepreneurial activities and the mobility of students and researchers within the network of around over 1,000 international universities in more than 20 countries.
The three year agreement with the University amounting to in excess of £50,000 per year will focus on scholarships, internships and staff and student mobility. Through the Santander Global Initiatives programme, the University has been awarded a further £45,000 for activity in 2014/15. The partnership will enable Swansea to develop and strengthen collaborative links internationally as well as create new opportunities for staff and students.
The agreement includes funding for scholarships for incoming international students and travel bursaries for staff and students to visit overseas universities which are partners of Santander, through the Santander Universities Global Division. Also included is an entrepreneurial support fund for up to 20 new student start-ups and funding for students to undertake summer internships with local SMEs.
Sian Impey, Head of Internationalisation at Swansea University said: “The Vice Chancellor’s attendance at the conference will further strengthen our links with other universities worldwide which will bring benefit to our students and staff. As part of our agreement with Santander around 12 students have already benefited from funded internships this summer with more in development. We are also in the process of arranging a delegation of academic staff to visit Brazil in the autumn to further develop our research links with Brazilian universities, as well as taking forward strategic partnerships with a number of institutions in Spain.”
