Fifteen of the twenty-four Russell Group universities will come together in China this month for two open day events aimed at promoting UK higher education and giving prospective students and their families a deeper insight into the UK study experience.
The events, co-created and delivered by the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), will be held on October 24 at The Langham, Shanghai, and October 25 at CP Grand Hall in Beijing.
Participating universities are: Newcastle University, University of Sheffield, University of Glasgow, Nottingham University, University of Liverpool, University of Warwick, University of Exeter, University of Birmingham, Cardiff University, Durham University, University of Leeds, Queen Mary University, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Southampton and University of York.
The Russell Group open days will focus on ‘future skills’ and look to encourage students to consider how a research-intensive UK education can help prepare them for the global workforce.
Academic pavilions themed around AI, digital innovation and green futures will showcase university research and invite students to explore the knowledge and capabilities needed for emerging careers, a spokesperson for CBBC told The PIE.
Catherine Shipley, senior advisor for education at CBBC UK HQ, said the upcoming program “responds to sector demand for a more collaborative approach to student recruitment and to student feedback about making university engagement feel less transactional”.
“We want parents and students to have meaningful engagement with academics, alumni and employers from a range of institutions, and for the experience to be enjoyable and memorable,” she added.
We also want to give families the opportunity to understand UK universities and UK education beyond rankings, by making the experience more personal and accessible
Catherine Shipley, CBBC UK HQ
“We also want to give families the opportunity to understand UK universities and UK education beyond rankings, by making the experience more personal and accessible,” said Shipley.
Designed as a collaborative higher education showcase rather than a traditional recruitment fair, the open days will “bring together academic and recruitment colleagues, alumni, employers and sponsors from the 15 participating universities”, according to CBBC.
Content will highlight employability, graduate outcomes, career readiness and the long-term value of a UK education, alongside the global research standing of Russell Group universities and their contribution to social and economic development.
