De Montfort University Leicester's (DMU) pioneering programme offering a valuable international experience to all students has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
#DMUglobal, the focal point of DMU’s Global Instinct international strategy, has added a new dimension to teaching, living and learning at DMU since its launch in 2013 and the programme is now one of the largest schemes of its kind at any UK university.
The programme has been shortlisted in the Outstanding International Strategy category of The Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards (THELMAs).
The THELMAs showcase and celebrate the best work taking place in the UK higher education sector.
Building on the success of #DMUglobal by expanding its impact across DMU's teaching, learning, research and student experience is the major emphasis of DMU’s Global Instinct strategy.
James Gardner, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Strategic and International Partnerships, said the success is down to the team’s creative, dynamic and innovative approach.
He said: "Harnessing DMU's worldwide network of industry and education partners, #DMUglobal offers on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.
"DMU invests more than £1.2 million every year in the initiative and gives bursaries to all participants. Opportunities are individually designed to suit our diverse student population, with significant additional support given to those from widening participation backgrounds."
Leo Smith, #DMUglobal manager, is delighted that the project has been shortlisted.
He said: "It is great to receive recognition of the thriving international culture that has been created at DMU since the launch of #DMUglobal.
"For me, the key to the success of #DMUglobal and the university's wider International Strategy has been the creativity and enthusiasm of staff and students to engage in international opportunities, illustrated by the fact that 2,000 students will go overseas as part of #DMUglobal this year on more than 120 different trips."
It comes as DMU was named as one of the THE's 150 universities under 50 in a league table - one of just 25 UK universities to be included.
Students who have benefited include Krupa Maisuria, who says her #DMUglobal trip proved a life-changing experience.
Taking a year out to recover from crippling anxiety between her second and third years, Krupa bravely joined the The student-led trip to Belgium with De Montfort Students' Union Krishna Consciousness Society, supported by #DMUglobal.
The third year Graphic Design student said: "It changed my life forever. Truly. And anxiety? It can be controlled. My #DMUglobal experience proved it.
"I will be able to show employers that I am able to step out of my comfort zone and take risks when faced with a challenge and also that I have interests outside of my design life, which is spirituality."
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 23 June.
Posted on Thursday 7 April 2016