University of Greater Manchester delegation explores new partnership opportunities with FVC

Representatives from the University of Greater Manchester visited Forth Valley College on Wednesday 9 September to explore potential collaboration and new progression pathways for domestic and international students.

The visiting delegation included Alan McNeilly, Deputy Director International; Jing Wang and Khim Wongvised, International Recruitment Assistants; and Shu Chen from Students United UK Limited.

The delegation began its visit at FVC’s Falkirk Campus, where members toured the College’s state-of-the-art learning facilities and met Sarah Higgins FVC’s Vice Principal of Learning and Student Experience and Leanne Wilson, Director of Curriculum for Care, Sport, Business and Communities.

Discussions focused on the respective strengths of both institutions and the potential to develop clear pathways enabling FVC students to progress to further study at the University of Greater Manchester. The partners also considered how future collaboration could create new opportunities for international students seeking to combine college and university-level education in the UK.

The delegation then travelled to FVC’s Stirling Campus, where members enjoyed lunch at the College’s award-winning Gallery training restaurant with Colin McMurray, Vice Principal for Business and Innovation, and Diane Creed, Director of Curriculum for Leisure, Creative and Digital Industries.

Further positive discussions explored areas of shared academic interest, opportunities to connect complementary programmes and the potential for wider collaboration involving curriculum development, student progression and international education.

A tour of the Stirling Campus followed, giving the visitors an opportunity to see the College’s industry-standard facilities and learn more about the practical, career-focused learning offered across its creative, digital, hospitality and leisure curriculum.

Jamie Allan, FVC’s Global Partnership Manager, said: “We were delighted to welcome colleagues from the University of Greater Manchester to our Falkirk and Stirling campuses.

“The visit provided an excellent opportunity to showcase our facilities, introduce the delegation to colleagues from across our curriculum areas and discuss the strong synergies between our organisations.

“There was a clear shared interest in developing accessible and ambitious progression opportunities for students. This includes exploring pathways for our domestic learners, as well as developing attractive opportunities for international students who could begin their studies at Forth Valley College before progressing to the University of Greater Manchester.

“The discussions were extremely positive, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue and identifying practical opportunities to work together for the benefit of students.”

Alan McNeilly, Deputy Director International at the University of Greater Manchester, said: “It was inspiring to visit Forth Valley College and see first-hand the excellent work being delivered by colleagues, including the College’s important contribution to regional economic recovery.

“We had some really positive discussions about international activity and future projects, and I would like to thank Jamie Allan, Colin McMurray, Sarah Higgins, Leanne Wilson and Diane Creed for such a warm welcome.

Forth Valley College and the University of Greater Manchester are two proactive and ambitious institutions, and I’m looking forward to developing what I’m sure will be a very fruitful partnership.”

The visit represents an encouraging first step towards a closer relationship between the institutions. Further discussions will now take place to identify priority curriculum areas and consider how potential progression arrangements could be developed.