Two well known private education companies focusing on teaching international students and preparing them for further studies in the UK have been honoured in the UK’s annual Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
INTO-UEA, a joint partnership between INTO University Partnerships and University of East Anglia, was honoured for its decade-long partnership which has generated approximately £60m in “additional annual revenues” for the university and local community, the company said.
John Sykes, INTO’s chief executive said the award was testament to the power of partnership. “The INTO UEA partnership which continues to thrive served as a blue print for the establishment of a global network of 20 university partnerships in the UK, USA and China,” he said. “This award is dedicated to all of those who have worked so hard to help international students reach their full potential.”
And fellow Brighton-based organisation, Kings Education, also scooped the award, two of 150 winners in the International Trade category.
According to the awarding panel, the award was given in recognition of achieving “continuous outstanding growth in overseas sales over six years” within the field of international student recruitment, the company announced.
Overseas sales have grown by over 250% over six years and the entire business is international.
Nigel Pamplin, UK Managing Director, added, “Education is one of this country’s most valuable and respected exports, and a crucial vehicle for “soft power”and global influence in an ever more connected world.
“International students have a hugely positive economic impact on the UK and leave us with lifelong affiliations and empathy for our country and its place in the world. This award is testament to our role in helping to shape these positive influences.”
A summer residential education company that has expanded to operate a year-round International Study Centre, Oxford Royale Academy, also won the award for the second time.
