As I have mentioned during the PVC departmental visits (good debates yesterday in Psychology!), announcements will be made imminently about the very significant new financial support approved as part of the University International Strategy.
The Strategy recognises that there is a vast amount of interest and expertise across the University. To start a dialogue with a wide range of colleagues in the faculties/school and professional services I will be setting up C/REGs – Country or Regional Expert Groups. The first two to be launched (low on bureaucracy, high on combustion!) will be: China/Hong Kong and India. Please look out for announcements.
Dear Rana,
Thank you for getting in touch. The answer is yes. I am aware that there existing collaborations at Bath and we need to think about the fantastic potential of Turkey as a gateway. I will exploring some of this in Dubai next month at the British Council Going Global conference. In the meantime, please do share with us your thoughts on partnership and other opportunities in the MENA region.
Hi Colin
Thanks for taking time to respond. Turkey is a good choice – it has been a country case study in my ESRC research for the last 6 years now and I have good research contacts at Bogazici and Koaceli Universities. It is also a thriving market for PhD students in social policy which is my field. Graham Room and I are also developing links with the Dubai government.
My view on immediate possibilities for partnerhsips are: (1) that we could offer short tarining courses on public/social policy government officials as well as more standard taught Maters courses that focus more on the social dimensions of public policy and administration; (2) that we can develop Master level and PhD training collaborations. I realise Tehran University may not be a wildly popular choice but I have links with them and thier academis are eager to collaborate in the area of social policy.
If there are any future more organised discussions within the university about engaging with the Middle East, I would be happy to be part of them.
Please bear in mind that out of our other DTC and research collaboration partners (Exeter, Cardiff and Bristol) we are the only university yet to develop Middle East expertise. And please allow me to say that this is a region which should be the bread and butter of all social science and political science teaching.
Anyway, just some thoughts, I could go on for a while. I hope they are helpful.
Best wishes
Rana
Dear Rana,
This is really timely. Thank you for the updates on Turkey. The PRI is central to internationalisation for the reasons you set out. I have spoken to Graham, Hugh and Steve about the virtuous connections between the International Strategy and PRI objectives. I also completely agree about the MENA region (I’ll be in Dubai in early March). My two current PhD students are working directly on hot topics in the region. The first two Country Expert Groups will be China and India but we will follow up with a MENA Regional Expert Group. Let’s grab a coffee first and catch up.
Hi Colin
Thanks for this. Perhaps meeting after the Easter break would be helpful. Feel free to suggest a convenient date in early May perhaps – Mondays or Tuesdays are best for me?
Best wishes
Rana
Hi Colin
Just getting back to you on the above – as teaching has finished now, I would be happy to meet with you at a convenient time in May to go over possible new links with the Middle East.
Best wishes
Rana