According to recent figures released by the Department for International Trade (DIT), businesses in the South West are continuing to make the most of export opportunities.
The University of the West of England’s (UWE) International Talent programme aims to support export from the South West. UWE Bristol International students work with regional businesses to provide cost – effective export services. Their cultural, language and research expertise can be a valuable asset to any business looking to target new markets.
Here’s five really good reasons why South West businesses should engage with UWE’s International Talent programme.
1) Businesses can be creative in the way in which they access export support
The UWE Bristol International Talent scheme enables employers to access a wide portfolio of export support services such as translation and interpreting, researching and identifying new markets, liaising with key suppliers, customers and clients in specific markets and providing focus groups and cultural insight. International Talent is a mutually beneficial scheme; connecting overseas students with regional businesses and organisations that are looking to export or that are already trading internationally. Students hone their UK business acumen and employers are able to capitalise on International students’ cultural and linguistic assets.
Through this scheme, South West businesses are able to access cost effective export support. UWE Bristol International Students offer a wealth of cultural and subject expertise to help businesses flourish internationally. Employers can engage with the scheme to make ad – hoc and bespoke requests for international project and export support.
2) Universities have become increasingly internationalised institutions
The UK continues to forge strong international ties in the education sector, with China, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand as some of the top contributing countries outside the EU to form relationships with our higher education institutions. Data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) affirms this and universities therefore continue to become increasingly internationalised institutions.
The potential and scope for cross cultural collaboration with business can be harnessed. A report published by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education on ‘Supporting and Enhancing the Experience of International Students in the UK’ addresses the need for HE institutions to engage with employers, championing the international student body as a talent base of cultural knowledge, native language skills and international expertise.
As universities become increasingly internationalised institutions, the International Student body offers global cultural, language and subject expertise. Wherever companies are looking extend their reach, International Students can support.
3) Companies shouldcapitalise on the breadth and wealth of knowledge and international expertise
In emerging global markets such as China, ASEAN and Latin America, the rise of the burgeoning middle class has prompted a shift to a consumption oriented growth model, offering a myriad of opportunities for UK trading activity across many sectors.
International students studying at Higher Education institutions in the UK present a wealth of knowledge as they offer a vast portfolio of subject specialism along with both UK and international business expertise.
Businesses can make specific requests for areas of expertise and subject knowledge requirement, meaning that alongside cultural and language insight, International Students are able to provide a suite of services and specialism with a view to international export support.
4) Embrace the golden digital era
As E-Commerce flourishes in some of the emerging global markets, the UWE Bristol International Talent programme can be used as a cost effective way to access support to launch digital strategies, marketing and social media campaigns. Particularly in markets and countries such as China, which has its own social media platforms. International students are millennials with digital competence and expertise, they present the next generation of consumers!
Businesses can recruit International Students with marketing and digital expertise to support with digital marketing and e-commerce campaigns. In markets such as China, which has its own social media platforms, International Students can be a valuable asset to export.
5) Supporting export in the South West
The insights provided by UWE International Students are enhanced by the curriculum design that hones the development of critical graduate attributes, including global citizenship and cross-cultural awareness. The International Talent scheme is supported by the University’s internationalisation and employability agenda which aims to promote the value and contribution that international students are able to make to UK businesses.
"Liliana took the role of launching our company into the Spanish and South American markets. With the aid of an OMIS market report from the Department for International Trade, she was quickly able to identify the key players in our target market and start communicating with the decision makers.
"Her native Spanish language was invaluable in building relationships with key buyers in PLC corporations and understanding the market in depth.
Dan Wright, Managing Director, Phineas Products Ltd
The International Talent scheme is supported by the University’s internationalisation and employability agenda which aims to promote the value and contribution that international students are able to make to UK business and industry.
To learn more about the UWE Bristol International Talent Scheme, please contact the author Jessica Tomico: internationaltalent@uwe.ac.uk
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