By Shruti Menon Seeboo
With the increasing demand for global education, students are presented with unprecedented opportunities to expand their horizons through studying abroad. The Annual Study Fair, hosted by Campus Abroad Mauritius on November 23 and 24 at the Hennessy Hotel, Ebene, stands as a crucial event for those looking to explore diverse educational pathways. This year, we are excited to highlight Angeline Malaba Ward, Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
In an exclusive interview, Angeline shared insights into the university’s offerings and its commitment to providing quality education that meets the needs of a diverse student population. UCLan has a rich history of welcoming international students, and Angeline emphasised the importance of creating an inclusive environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.
During the interview, she discussed the unique programs available at UCLan, as well as the support systems in place to assist international students in their transition. With her extensive experience in the education sector, Angeline is well-equipped to provide valuable guidance to prospective students considering their educational journey abroad. Excerpts:
- How does the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) stay competitive in fields such as business and technology education?
Business: The University of Central Lancashire won Best Entrepreneurial University at the Educate North Awards 2023. This recognised our work with thousands of student start-ups and businesses in the North West. Our courses are taught by academics who are experts in their fields and shaped by the latest innovative business insight and research. Many courses are accredited by leading professional bodies, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) to the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). So, you can be confident that the cutting-edge skills and knowledge you gain will set you up for a successful career.
We can help you to transform your big idea into a thriving business, with support from our experts at Propeller, our dedicated start-up programme. We’ve been named the top university in the north of England for supporting students and graduates to launch their own businesses (Tide, 2021). We’re proud to have been awarded the Small Business Charter Award, a national accreditation which demonstrates excellence in supporting small businesses, student enterprise and the local economy.
Many of our courses offer you the chance to spend a full year working in industry in between Years 2 and 3. So you could gain experience of working for a top company before you graduate. Our degree programmes offer opportunities for international study trips and paid work placements. Previous students have gone on placements with high profile employers including Adidas, BAE Systems, British Airways, Disney, IBM, KPMG, L’Oréal, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Universal Studios Orlando. We also run an exchange programme with worldwide university partners.
Technology: Our Engineering courses are helping to train the next generation of innovators and game-changers at the heart of one of the most intense engineering and manufacturing regions in the UK, accounting for more than a quarter of production. We are constantly investing in new facilities. Our £35-million-pound Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) is the home of our engineering offering, including facilities like our flight simulators and advanced manufacturing labs.
We’ve built strong connections with key industry employers such as BAE and Rolls- Royce to give our students practical work experience opportunities. We focus on giving you hands-on experiences to directly benefit your future career. You’ll graduate with practical, hands-on experience of core engineering skills and the ability to design, manufacture and service complex systems – opening doors in a wide range of sectors.
Project-based learning will be a regular feature. Design projects help develop your creativity and project management skills and provide the opportunity to apply your technical knowledge to solve real engineering problems. This will be a huge asset as you progress into more senior roles during your career.
We teamed up with ASTM International for first ever Exo Games Organised and hosted by the University, in partnership with ASTM International’s Exo Technology Center of Excellence. Brought together student teams from around the world: UK – USA – Belgium – Brazil. Teams competed to design an exoskeleton and test it against a suite of standards. Judged by members of ASTM’s F48 Exoskeleton and Exosuit committee.
We enable you to work alongside staff who are carrying out pioneering research in various fields of engineering – from exploring the incredible potential of graphene and other nanotechnologies, to health-enhancing exoskeletons, life-saving fire research, and drones. There are also opportunities for paid, real industrial experience working on commercial projects, connected to local industry in the North West, and Undergraduate Research Internships, working on actual research projects. Each year we hold an Engineering Expo with projects showcased to staff, students and industry.
Optional 48-week sandwich placement in industry (between Year 2 and 3). Using the optional placement year builds on your academic learning, develops your professional approach, and often leads to successful employment after graduation.
We also work with a number of professional bodies and learned societies to ensure that you benefit from teaching, support, research and commercial activities. You will have the opportunity to join the Engineering Societies and work with a diverse group of students and staff on innovation projects and take part in specialised group projects using complex systems. We’re proud to have earned the Athena Swan Bronze status, in recognition of our direct support for women within the School. We enable women who study with us to transition into industry. Our Women’s Engineering Network – a friendly group of women students and staff – regularly meet to explore all aspects of engineering and to offer each other mutual support at university and beyond.
2. What specific scholarship opportunities are available for Mauritian students applying to UCLan?
Our tuition fees are very competitive and students from Mauritius on standard taught courses, both undergraduate and postgraduate, are eligible for the following scholarships and discounts:
- £1,000 international bursary for all students
- £2,500 country bursary for all students or
- £3,500 Excellence bursary (instead of the country bursary) where they have A grade profile or a 2:1 degree.
3. How does UCLan incorporate employability and career development into its academic programs for international students?
Our courses are designed to make you employable. We aim to give you all the knowledge and skills modern employers are looking for.
We know the importance of gaining real-world experience during your studies. You’ll graduate ready to enter the career and industry you choose. We’ll teach you the transferrable skills to complement the knowledge you’ll learn in class, such as communication, teamwork and time-management.
We partner with industry-leading companies to offer placement opportunities. You’ll get hands-on experience and develop critical professional skills in real-world settings.
Placements boost your CV and also provide industry insights and networking opportunities. With our comprehensive support, you’ll have all the resources needed to make the most of these opportunities and prepare for a successful career.
We have a dedicated industry-informed team who ensure our placements are tailored to each subject area. Our team ensures placements provide valuable real- world experience and a competitive edge in the job market.
Our Careers Service is dedicated to helping you achieve your professional goals. We offer personalised guidance, extensive resources, and expert support. It’s available from the first day of your enrolment right through the lifetime of your career and beyond.
We equip you with the tools and confidence to succeed. You’ll learn essential skills and get invaluable career advice, meaning you’ll graduate ready for the world of work.
There are lots of part-time work opportunities while you study. All work experience is valuable as you’ll learn transferrable skills that help you become more employable.
You could work at the University and be a Student Ambassador, teach a language or become a student content creator. There are also lots of part-time job opportunities in the local area in hospitality or retail, but there are lots of options.
Volunteering offers real-world experience, builds skills, and boosts your job prospects. It’s flexible, accessible, and you don’t always need specific skills – just a positive attitude. We can help you get volunteering experience during your studies.
Our summertime internships are a fantastic opportunity to gain work experience at organisations around the world. Internships usually last between 4-12 weeks. They offer an amazing opportunity to gain experience working in an international setting.
Interning abroad helps you stand out in the job market. You show employers that you are adaptable, independent, and willing to take on new challenges outside your comfort zone. It also helps you build a global network with peers, mentors, teachers, and professors.
As well as gaining work experience, internships abroad also enable you to grow as a person. You’ll have the chance to explore a different culture, learn a new language, and make new connections with people from all over the world.
4. How is UCLan responding to the digital transformation in education, and what programs are available for students interested in digital innovation?
The University of Central Lancashire won University of the Year at the 2023 Edufuturists Uprising awards. The awards are a celebration of the innovation and creativity that is happening in education today. The winners are all making a significant contribution to the future of education.
Many health-related subject areas and our new veterinary medicine provision use innovative digital technologies in teaching. Our immersive interactive simulation rooms combine various technologies including virtual reality, interactive graphics, video and audio content to provide learners with an innovative multi-sensory learning experience. The technology allows learners to experience varied healthcare and community environments and encourages learners to respond to real-life situations in a safe environment.
Our clinical skills laboratories simulate the environment of the modern hospital ward, and are equipped with video technology, allowing you and your supervisors to review your performance in simulated scenarios. You’ll also make use of our anatomage medical virtual dissection tables to explore the human and animal anatomy in 3D. The tables contain real patient scans or cadavers. Using your hands rather than a scalpel, you’ll be able to cut through the 3D model to reveal anatomical structures such as organs and muscles.
Engineering students benefit from our £35-million-pound Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) including state-of-the-art facilities and equipment like our flight simulators and advanced manufacturing labs.
5. What role does UCLan play in promoting global research initiatives and how can Mauritian students get involved?
At the University of Central Lancashire, we offer a wide range of postgraduate research-based degrees. Our degrees are perfect for those pursuing an academic career and a future in research. You’ll get the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of human knowledge and make a positive difference to the world.
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF), a government assessment of the quality of research across UK Higher Education, two-thirds of our submissions were recognised as world-leading or internationally excellent. This highlights our commitment to producing cutting-edge research and academic excellence.
Our longstanding mission to transform lives extends to every corner of the globe – and students from Mauritius can get involved in this mission.
6. How does UCLan foster a sense of community among its diverse international student body?
The University of Central Lancashire is a thriving community of around 42,000 students and staff who come from more than 100 countries. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, you’ll soon feel at home here.
