The Summit was attended by senior leaders of 36 of the University of Sussex’s biggest overseas representative partners from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas

The International Office recently hosted a Directors’ Summit for senior leaders of 36 of the University of Sussex’s biggest overseas representative partners.

The three-day (5-8 June) event was attended by representatives from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas and gave Sussex colleagues the opportunity to strengthen relationships with organisations which, between them, sent more than 800 students to the University last year.

Revenue from overseas students is worth almost £20 billion to the United Kingdom economy and while the UK maintains a healthy reputation for welcoming international students, competition is fierce.

The University of Sussex was acclaimed in a 2017 THE article for having grown international student numbers faster than any other UK university between 2010 and 2015 and, in 2018, Sussex enrolled more international students than ever before. Approximately two thirds of the University’s overseas students are recommended to study at Sussex by recruitment agents making these relationships crucial to this success.

Martin Hookham, Head of International Office, said: “Our overseas students add so much to the University of Sussex, giving different perspectives on current debates and enriching all students’ experience of what it means to study on one of the most international campuses in the world.

“Many of these students start their journey to us through the professional advice and guidance they receive through our overseas representatives. It was an absolute pleasure to welcome so many of them to the campus, to showcase the very best of Sussex and demonstrate how committed the University is in continuing to improve the services it provides to its students wherever they are from in the world.”

The agenda for the summit included presentations from a variety of Sussex colleagues including an outline of the University’s 2025 Strategic Framework by Chief Operating Officer, Dr Tim Westlake. This was followed by a lunch in Bramber House attended by Professor Stephen Shute, Professor Kelly Coate, Heads of Schools and Professional Services and Directors of Recruitment and Admissions. At lunch Vice Chancellor, Adam Tickell, gave a speech welcoming the delegates and thanking them for making the journey to Sussex.

Presentations were also delivered by representatives from the British Council, Study Group and Western Union and Director of Student Recruitment, Admissions and International Development, Marcus Williams led a session to inform the University’s international student recruitment strategy.

Delegates attending the summit were also able to attend an academic session delivered by Professor John Luiz on Redefining Leadership in the 4th Industrial Revolution at the University of Sussex Business School. Another highlight of the event was a session in which current students from all over the world reflected on their experiences at Sussex giving delegates a real insight into life at the University. 

Richard Jones, Operations Manager at UK Education Advisory Service said: “The Directors’ Summit was an extremely valuable, beneficial and enjoyable experience. Very well organised and the ideal setting to collaborate further on the already extraordinary success of the University of Sussex”.

In addition to sessions on the University campus, delegates were invited to attend a dinner at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, sponsored by Western Union, as well as a walking tour of the city.