Overseas conference to mark 21st anniversary

The event, ‘Global Higher Education: Partnerships & Opportunities’, is being staged in Colombo between 24-26 June 2013 for international education partners.

The event will recognise the important contribution the University’s partnerships have in bringing higher education to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to study at university.

Delegates from countries including China, Nigeria, Cyprus, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal and India will be present, along with Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer and other senior staff from the University.

The conference will examine the challenges facing global education and offer interactive sessions on areas such as improving the student experience and marketing and communications.

The event is aimed at partners, business, agencies, governments, and those with an interest in international education. It will feature the University’s Sri Lankan partners Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (CINEC), British Centre of Applied Studies (BCAS), and IDM Nations Campus (Pvt) Ltd.

University of Wolverhampton Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “I’m very proud of our work and relationships in Sri Lanka and internationally.

“The University of Wolverhampton is very much the “University of Opportunity”, providing education to enhance social mobility and improve the lives of individuals in the communities we operate within all over the world.

“We have had a presence in Sri Lanka for more than seven years and it is an honour to be going there to mark this important occasion.

“This conference is about sharing and learning with our partners as well as celebrating our 21 years of university status.”

Sri Lankan Minister of Higher Education, Sumanaweera Banda Dissanayake MP, will be in attendance at the conference. He said: “I am pleased to note that the University of Wolverhampton has decided to hold its international partnership event in Sri Lanka.

“I am very pleased to see over the years that the University has opened new and innovative programmes of study in Sri Lanka, in particular through their collaboration with the likes of CINEC, BCAS and IDM.

“I am confident that the presence of the University of Wolverhampton will further develop over the years, offering many programmes of study.

“Such developments will raise the benchmark for all higher education institutions in Sri Lanka, helping our country.”

The event is being held as part of the 21^st anniversary celebration of University status being granted.

On 17 June 1992 Wolverhampton Polytechnic became the University of Wolverhampton as a result of the Further and Higher Education Act.

Full event programme.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003

Date Issued: Thursday 20 June 2013