Higher Education Dialogues – Deep Dive

Our seventh and final Deep Dive session explored innovative strategies in TVET in order to improve the resilience of skills training systems and preparedness and enhance the TVET pathway for learners. The panel also touched on sustainability offered by the TVET sectors such as responding to future market needs of skilled labour, life-long learning, green jobs that are automation proof.

Speakers:

• Dawn Ward, Chief Executive and Principal, Burton and South Derbyshire College
• Paul McKean, Head of FE and Skills, Jisc
• Emma Meredith, International Director, Association of Colleges
• Richard Everitt, Director of English, Education, and Society Wider Europe, British Council

Our sixth session explored how different countries and institutions currently measure graduate destinations, and how universities can enhance and improve the graduate outcomes of their students, especially in the context of Covid-19.

Speakers: 

• Martin Edmondson, CEO & Founder, Gradcore
• Rachel McIntosh, Deputy Director of Student Employability Aston University
• Dr Brooke Storer-Church, Head of Skills at the Office for Students
• Richard Everitt, Director of English, Education, and Society Wider Europe, British Council

Our fifth session introduced the concept of a student learning journey (SLJ) and its relevance to a quality student experience, the common stages, similarities and differences, and the essential steps in a SLJ.

Speakers:

• During the session, we heard from QAA and perspectives from universities, students and employers:
• Piers Wall – Quality Specialist, QAA Global
• Dr. Dawn Lees – Student Employability and Development Manager, University of Exeter
• Steve Wallers – Employer Engagement and Student Employment Manager, University of Exeter
• Kate Croucher – Global Lead Talent Sourcing FDM
• Scarlett Hilson-Wheeler – Student at the University of Exeter

In our fourth 'Higher Education Dialogues – Deep Dive' session, we explored different ways that technology can be used to deliver existing career support and employability models but also to enhance practice within and outside the curriculum.  

Speakers:

• Ali Orr, Head of Graduate Outcomes and Employability, Kingston University
• Vanessa Freeman, (Acting) Director for Careers and Employability, City University of London
• Martin Edmondson, CEO and founder, Gradcore
• Moderator: Clare Sears, Deputy Regional Director Wider Europe, British Council

For our third 'Deep Dive' session, we discussed the concept of academic integrity and provided guidance on how to assess with integrity as well as the remote and digital provision. Our panel also shared the institutional approach to assessment, including how to avoid academic misconduct.

Speakers: 

• Carolyn Westbrook –Test Development Researcher, British Council
• Gareth Crossman – Head of Policy and Communications, QAA
• Prof. Michael Draper – Professor in Legal Education, Swansea University
• Dr Irene Glendinning – Institutional Lead for Academic Integrity, Coventry University

For our second 'Deep Dive' session, we organised a masterclass to share key principles and best practices for delivering online learning.  

Masterclass lead

Dr Catherine (Kay) Hack is the Principal Adviser (Learning and Teaching) for Advance-HE. Her role includes developing, managing and promoting excellence in teaching and learning, both generally and within STEM disciplines.

During the first of our 'Deep Dive' sessions, we explored the history and fundamentals of graduate employability, outlined current models to enhance graduate employability by universities, and provided practical examples from the UK’s experience in this area.

Speakers: 

• Martin Edmondson, CEO and Founder of Gradcore
• Professor Karen Bryan, Vice Chancellor, York St John University
• Adele Browne, Head of Graduate Success, De Montfort University
• Moderator: Maja Mandekic, Regional Portfolio Manager, British Council