GOLD Programme celebrates success

The Global Officers Leadership Development Programme, launched in September 2017, has recently celebrated a successful pilot year.

The co-curricular initiative, led by Kent’s Dean for Internationalisation Dr Anthony Manning and International Partnerships Directorate, has been designed to encourage students to engage with internationalisation opportunities and enhance their global citizenship whilst at Kent. The programme provides a framework of activities for students to develop their leadership, project management skills and cultural awareness in a global context. Whilst on the programme Global Officers have a unique opportunity to work with the Dean to support and advise on the range of internationalisation projects, activities and events which take place during the academic year.

A highlight of the year-long programme was a conference held at Europe House in London on 11 May, with notable speakers in attendance. The Head of External Affairs at Universities UK International, Miranda Thomas, delivered an engaging address on ‘lobbying and influencing’ and Dr Anthony Manning spoke about the Kent Global Passport. Deputy Editor of PIE News Patrick Atack was in attendance and carried out interviews with the students.

International Partnerships Officer Joanna Addison has spoken of her delight at the GOLD programme’s achievement:

“We’re thrilled that our Global Officers have each engaged with the programme in unique ways, and we have seen the students develop and grow in confidence. They have seized initiative and added value to the programme, leading social media campaigns, acting as ambassadors at University events and providing valuable input into the development of internationalisation schemes. We have measured the impact of the programme by testing our Global Officers’ cultural intelligence, which we’re delighted to say has been improved across the board. We believe this programme has given the students an opportunity to develop as individuals, enhancing their employability, and we very much look forward to running this programme in the academic year 2018-19.”

Would you like to become Kent’s next Global Officer, 2018-19?

The next round of applications opens in September 2018. For further information see: https://www.kent.ac.uk/global/GEA/officers.html