Published on 18 September 2017
Students and staff from the University’s Sunderland campus and the University of Sunderland in London teamed up this summer. Inspired by an idea from our Vice Chancellor The Student Mobility Project saw over 200 students and staff from Sunderland spend two weeks in August in our nation’s capital.
Using our Canary Wharf campus as a base they enjoyed programmes and experiences that will one day make them more employable.
Sunderland and London International Nursing Top Up students spent two weeks studying an intensive English language programme. Pre-reg Nurses enjoyed visits to hospitals and NHS trusts and some subject specific debates between Sunderland and London students.
Students from the Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism enjoyed a whole range of high level company visits giving them real insight into the business world – even getting hands on experience of pitching business ideas at the London Stock Exchange. Our Tourism students were able to see first-hand many of the sites and attractions that they have studied, and thoroughly enjoyed the London Travel and Tourism Society being able to show them “their London”.
Week two of the project saw students from the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries using London as the backdrop for sketching tours, gallery visits and behind the scenes looks at theatres and design agencies - unique experiences that will make their postgraduate CVs stand out.
It was a fantastic opportunity to engage in so much cross-campus activity and the University Executive are already in talks with staff in London about how the project can grow and improve for 2017/18. Feedback from staff and students was tremendously positive.
Ruth Wilson, Head of Services for Students and Marketing, who led the project in London, said: “It was a real thrill for me to host so many colleagues from Sunderland here in London. Being from the North East and now based in Canary Wharf it’s always a pleasure to be able to showcase the London offer to colleagues and students from Sunderland. I look forward to phase 2 of the project and being able to welcome more staff and students in the next year.”