www.nusconnect.org.uk/campaigns/nations/scotland/withoutborders/sistraining/
Project Overview
This is a joint project between NUS Scotland and Sparqs (Student Participation in Quality Scotland) to develop a training and support package on international student issues for Students’ Associations that would give them the skills, knowledge and resources to improve services and increase engagement.
The topics, skills and knowledge required for the training pack were identified through a development day held with staff and international student officers from Scottish Students’ Associations. Though a series of workshop based activities we identified the issues, prioritised those which had the most impact on international students and then identified the skills and knowledge that the training package would have to deliver.
Due to the broad nature of the topic and limited resources and time of officers and staff it was decided to create a modular training package of four two hour sessions. This would allow the training to be delivered in one day or over a series of separate occasions. Each module focuses on the identified priority areas and all are designed so that they can be delivered as stand alone modules.
Training Content
Module 1: Introduction and General Information
This module can be tailored to each institution giving an overview of their international student population and responsible staff members. It provides an understanding of the wider international context of social mobility and the Bologna process. It identifies the broad issues that have an impact on international students.
Module 2: The Student Lifecycle
This places issues for international students in context exploring the student lifecycle from pre-entry to exit. Case studies identify issues arising at each point in the journey and highlight cultural, social and academic issues. The module ends with a planning exercise focussing on joint working between association and institution.
Module 3: Plagiarism
This module focuses on one of the most prominent issues for international students, plagiarism. It discusses why this is the case and what can be done to support international students who may experience claims of plagiarism.
Module 4: Engaging International Students in Quality Processes
This module provides a context for the valuable role of international students if they are effectively involved in quality enhancement processes. It explores this at an institutional, national and international level.
Staff and Student Officers are to be trained in how to deliver these modules within their own association and/or institution and each Students’ Association will receive a training pack and supporting materials. The training pack will form part of the Supporting International Students Toolkit due to be released late 2011.
For further details please contact:
NUS Scotland - Students Without Borders Project
Helen O’Shea | International Education Officer | helen.o’shea@nus-scotland.org.uk
Heather McKnight | International Education Policy Assistant | heather.mcknight@nus-scotland.org.uk