INTO This Week 55

Chinese international student numbers have increased rapidly since the nineties and are expected to reach 500,000 by 2020, making China the number two study destination after the US. However, much of the growth is accounted for by students on short-term language programmes as opposed to longer term academic courses, as seen in the UK and US. Efforts to change this at a national level have at best been laissez-faire, and internationalisation agreements with foreign providers like INTO have become increasingly important to the region's universities.

The new partnerships with DUFE and CUC will seek to buck this trend - transforming the universities' international study propositions by shifting the focus away from short-term programmes, and towards long term academic courses taught in both Chinese and English. They will also introduce INTO brand values and study approaches (namely provision of a superior student experience) to both universities, while building INTO's global footprint and establishing a basis for further partnerships in China.

To kick things off, INTO will co-run a series of Chinese language programmes at DUFE and CUC this summer, followed by a portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees taught in English from September. While the content for the degree courses is yet to be finalised, the language courses (which have nine start dates between June and September) will give students from the UK, US and elsewhere a unique opportunity to study Mandarin, experience Chinese culture and gain valuable insights into the world of work in China.

Programme USPs include small oral classes with Chinese university students; a programme of excursions and cultural experiences; and 'master classes' in working in China from university alumni and leading professionals. Not surprisingly the programme has already attracted considerable interest in Britain, Russia, Japan and the US.

Stephen Healy, Managing Director China and Asia, said: "The partnerships with Chinese Universities will harness the growing power of the INTO's network to support academic development in Chinese Universities - through academic support, but also through UK and US students from INTO partner institutions undertaking language programmes in China.

"Our innovative degree programmes also promise to reposition DUFE and CUC in the eyes of international students by offering high quality degrees in English to rival Western providers. They will set the tone for INTO developments with other universities in the region over the next few years - strengthening the INTO brand and making it more distinct among partnering organisations in the sector," he added.

Both DUFE and CUC are respected institutions in attractive study destinations - likely to be a major draw for international students.

DUFE is China's top-ranked finance, banking and economics university, and based in Dalian - a major tourist destination and one of China's most prosperous cities.

CUC, meanwhile, is nationally recognised in the fields of journalism, communications and media studies. Its downtown campus is located in the east of Beijing, providing the perfect base to explore the political, economic and cultural capital of China.

INTO is currently in talks with other respected institutions in the region and elsewhere in Asia.

"These first two partnerships will support INTO's strategic commitment to working with leading Universities in China and Asia as international students seek high quality programmes and study experiences in Asia.  We expect to have a dozen partnerships in the region over the next five years," said Stephen.

To learn more about the rising number of international students in China,

On Sunday April 10th, ten brave INTO staff negotiated the hilly climbs, packed promenade and unseasonably hot weather of this year's Brighton Marathon to raise more than £14,000 for INTO Giving's Zambia project - the building of a school for orphans and vulnerable children in Lusaka...

Debbie Clark, Martin Darling, Robert Graham, Anna Rushbrook, Chris Lewis, Heather Wray, Laura Graham, Peter Straghan and Nicola Burness-Smith had all undertaken hours and hours of training and organized a variety of fundraising activities, all the while managing to sustain their hectic work schedules.

Adrenalin pumping, they took their positions at the starting line in Preston Park on Sunday morning, amid a sea of 8,000 runners.  The big day had finally arrived and 26.2 miles stretched ahead of them - and as the day wore on those miles seemed to stretch further and further. 

To help them along, throngs of supporters lined the route, cheering relentlessly and handing out tins of jelly babies. Others had set up showers to cool the runners down or simply dragged their garden hoses to the roadside. Music reverberated through the city as thousands of feet thumped to its steady rhythm and volunteers handed out never-ending supplies of water.

The incredible atmosphere certainly helped to overcome the first 11 hilly miles, but as the hours wore on the runners had to dig deep for the energy and determination to keep going. However, despite a few minor injuries, all 10 INTO runners ran brilliantly and completed the marathon, a first for many of them.

Chris Lewis from INTO Manchester pulled off a fantastic 4h 15 min time, declaring at the finish line, "Fantastic atmosphere, great weather, amazing feeling... but never again!"

He was closely followed by Peter Straghan in 4h 23 minutes and Debbie Clark, still on antibiotics, who finished in less than 5 hours.

"As hard as the marathon was, I can look back on it now and say it was a brilliant day," said Sidrah Khaliq from INTO Brighton Admissions. "I mean I don't think I will ever likely do another one, but I am very glad that I can tick it off the list. And having raised money for such an amazing cause really was the icing on the cake."

The team has managed to raise over £6,500 so far (which will be matched by Andrew Colin), and another £1,000 is expected from GiftAid, bringing the standing total to £14,000 - all of which goes to the Lusaka school. They are still collecting and if you would like to support, please go to http://www.justgiving.com/intogiving and type in any of the runners' names to donate to their site, or make a direct donation to INTO Giving.

On behalf of the whole company, INTO This Week would like to thank the runners for their huge effort. In a mark of their fantastic spirit the runners are already thinking about future fundraising activities. "Upon reflection, now the pains are subsiding, I really enjoyed the marathon... next fundraising event, John O'Groats to Land's End by bicycle!" said Debbie Clark from INTO Exeter.

Food for thought... If you have any plans for INTO Giving, or would like to put your name down for next year's Brighton Marathon, email info@into-giving.com