World of learning comes to University

2:35am Friday 9th May 2008

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The University of Bradford's influence now extends to the far-flung corners of the world.

Students from more than 100 countries with 60 different languages attend the institution - and now more than 2,000 are also studying for Bradford degrees or benefiting from the knowledge of Bradford academics in their home country.

Undergraduates are based as far afield as India, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan, Hong Kong the United Arab Emirates and - for the first time - Mauritius.

Professor Jeff Lucas, deputy vice-chancellor, said: "The student body of the University of Bradford is clearly a celebration of diversity.

"The 21st century, with all its technological advances has also allowed the university to reach out to students who choose to study for our degrees through locally-approved providers in their own country.

"These off campus' students are studying in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Holland and Poland."

Bradford University academics also travel to pass on their expertise in specialist areas to developing institutions around the world.

Subjects which Bradford experts have played a key role in developing abroad include health technologies research in India, workforce development in Pakistan, conflict resolution in Africa and Sri Lanka and educational development in Oman and Mauritius.

Prof Lucas added: "Tomorrow's challenges include major infrastructure support programmes developed in partnership with Governmental Agencies, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Council.

"The University of Bradford now seeks to be an opinion former in the global agenda of higher education, whether it be as advisors in government policy or a beacon of good practice in teaching learning and research."

A recent survey identified Bradford as having the best international office in the UK. Plans are also afoot to open a centre in Dubai.

This year, Mauritian-born David Jamookeeah, director of clinical education in the university's division of nursing, is leading a drive supported by £93,000 of British Council and DfES funding to embed work-based learning in all undergraduate programmes offered by the University of Mauritius.

Mr Jamookeeah, who is also an associate professor at the University of Mauritius, said: "There is a growing international concern about graduates' level of fitness for the real world of work at the point of graduation and Mauritius is no exception.

"Employers continue to voice their concerns about graduates' employability and fitness."