The North Leadership Centre and International Relations have recently completed the delivery of a complex programme for 27 administrative staff from Xiamen University. The programme was titled Xiamen University Administrative Staff Development Programme, and the delegation was headed by Lisa Yu. The aims of the programme were to get an overview of how the university functions, as well as to develop English and leadership skills.
Xenia Xu of International Relations and Francis Barber of the North Leadership Centre collaborated to ensure the programme’s success, and teams from both departments supported the provision of this programme. Delivery also supported by a team of final-year student interpreters from the School of Modern Languages.
The programme included visits to a wide range of university departments, and our thanks go to those departments for their willingness to participate and the quality of input that they delivered for the delegates.
The delegates undertook a two-week English Language programme through the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences.
The also participated in a five-day programme in Leadership delivered by Dr Anna Reid of the North Leadership Centre.
The programme incorporated cultural excursions for the delegates including visits to local places of interest and trips further afield. The delegates were also able to explore Newcastle and the rest of the UK.
Keynote presentations were given by Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Brink, Registrar Dr John Hogan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement & Internationalisation) Professor Richard Davies, and René Koglbauer, Director of the North Leadership Centre. During the formal welcome and closing speeches, keynote speakers from both Newcastle and Xiamen Universities emphasised the value and importance that both institutions place on the continuation of this highly successful partnership.
We all look forward to the future successes of this partnership, and hope to be able to welcome many more delegates from Xiamen University in future.