International Standing Committee - Reports

This first International Standing Committee (ISC) meeting of the 2024-25 academic year was my first meeting as the new Convener of the Committee and the new members were warmly welcomed:  Nikhil Agarwal, Richard Andrews and Max Browning.  With members around the world, apologies for absence were accepted, and input had been received in advance. 

The agenda was to discuss and agree the Committee's workplan for the coming year, a document on which has previously been circulated and provided to the Business Committee. The document stated the remit of the Committee is to consider and make representations or other observations to the Business Committee on

1. key contemporary issues in the University’s international engagement; 
2. international perceptions of the University e.g. through work of the University’s international offices;
3. engagement with international alumni networks, and
4. the role of the General Council in supporting the University’s international community locally

The committee agreed the main items for the year will include

1. Understanding how the university is dealing with/intends to deal with, current issues in its international engagement, particularly as the role of Vice Principal International remains vacant.
2. Receiving briefing on the reputation of the university internationally: to understand the plan to seek feedback; review the interpretation of surveys undertaken and their impact; discuss the action plan to address areas of concern, including how members of the General Council and alumni clubs might assist implementation. 
3. Discussing and agreeing how the ISC can assist/support the D&A team to engage international alumni and clubs to actively support the University and its international strategy implementation in their geographies. 

The Committee recognised the need to co-ordinate with other committees regarding engagement of executive staff, to avoid duplication and enable efficient time planning.  The assistance of the secretariat in identifyIng opportunities for joint engagement is very much appreciated.  Especially co-ordination with the Public Affairs Committee will be important to maximise impact from their planned engagement of alumni locally, to achieve the aim of enhanced participation around the world.

Ann Cormack

Convener ISC