HEAICS

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HEA-ICS BCSRecruitment Workshop, 12 Feb
2009Attracting post-graduates some issues to
consider

• Peter Chalk
• Associate Dean, Faculty of Computing
• London Metropolitan University

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Provide a Graduate Centre

• Designed by Daniel Libeskind

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The London Met approaches

• 1. our overseas offices and agents
• 2. articulation agreements
• 3. Graduate Certificate in Computing
• 4. in the case of Comp Networking, Digital
  Communications Networking etc, our CISCO Academy
• 5. our research centres
• 6. the 'family' approach (Advanced Computing etc)
• 7. our UG students, eg those who do a lot of
  volunteer work, student society, ambassador/ SWT
  etc
• 8. employability expectations
• 9. developments like MRes, Prof. Doc.
• 10. taster events that include 'research
  development' talks.

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3. Graduate Certificate in Computing

• http//www.londonmet.ac.uk/-archive/pg-prospectus
  -2005/courses/computing-conversion-programme.cfm
• The one-semester Graduate Certificate in
  Computing covers three core areas of computing
• Object-Oriented design and programming (using
  Java)
• Database design and implementation
• Networking, including the Internet

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4. Cisco Systems Regional Academy (RA)

• www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/cisco/home.cfm
• Established in 1998
• MSc Comp Networking Applicants will also be
  considered who have a relevant professional
  qualification (CCNA/CCNP) and/or extensive
  relevant professional experience in an IT-related
  environment.

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Comment from Dr Bal Virdee, course leader for MSc
Digital Communications Networking

• PG recruitment - function of several factors,
  eg
• Employability survey job market, feedback from
  colleagues in industry. Course title unambiguous
  content to deliver necessary expertise.
• Student experience they inform friends and
  relatives about our courses, facilities. Can be
  ambassadors if good experience

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• Supportive and well-structured environment is
  vital. Friendly staff. Help overseas students
  adjust to new academic environment.
• Course content real world case-study scenarios.
  Employers want graduates to have pertinent
  knowledge of current developments. Hands-on labs.
  Students enjoy this aspect of our courses.
  Investment in updated equipment is essential.
• Feedback students can gauge their standard and
  improve upon it. They greatly appreciate
  immediate feedback even if its informal.

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Saeed Taghizadeh Comms Tech cluster leader

• 1. Our own experience, strengths and resources
  are already known to our existing and past UG
  students. We were writing references for about
  40 of our own graduates every year to go to
  other universities!
• 2. Hands-on, practical approach rather than
  theory and textbook approach. Each course has
  unique selling point.

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• 3. Recommendation / guidelines from International
  Office on overseas market demand.
• 4. Industry Liaison Committee - we asked Would
  you employ a graduate who completes such a
  course? got valuable feedback on our initial
  proposal/ structure.
• 5. At least a single module in every PG course
  which is the specialization module.
• 6. Equally important is running of the courses
  and how various pedagogies ensure maximum
  benefits to students and reputation.

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Dr Yangou Jing, course leader MSc Advanced
Computing (Mobile Computing) Digital Solutions

• Good course website, list relevant information,
  FAQs, include work students have done, what
  they have been up to after they graduate.
• See MSc Digital Solutions (IT Consultancy)
  http//www.mscitconsultancy.com/
• MSc Digital Solutions. http//www.city.londonmet.a
  c.uk/dds/
• MSc Advanced Computing (Mobile Computing)
  http//www.city.londonmet.ac.uk/dds/acmc/

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Preeti Patel, course leader MSc Information
Systems Development

• PG applicants are primarily concerned about
  jobs.
• Profiles of past successful students in secure,
  interesting and lucrative jobs is always
  attractive to potential applicants.
• Course information with these details is useful
  (a photo always goes down well!).
• eg GameLab projects

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Mark Bickerton Director, Student Recruitment and
International Development

• Key macro level factors are
• 1. range of PG courses fits with the particular
  markets in which the institution does well and
  has the ability to do well
• 2. having a reputation not only for good teaching
  and good curriculum, but good links with
  employers. Students increasingly care more about
  the job prospects and the extent to which the
  University can help them get there, than they do
  about ratings and RAE. CISCO is a key feature.
• 3. staff who have opportunities to understand the
  market, and good dialogue between external facing
  units and the dept.
• 4. having good conversion and support of
  enquirers and applicants.
• 5. working with agents throughout the world

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Penny Dekker, Computing Recruitment Co-ordinator

• 1. Personal recommendation is always a strong
  recruiter - hence student experience very
  important.
• 2. Individuals who understand the system guide
  students turns a negative comment to friends and
  family into a positive one.
• 3. Swift turnaround of application coupled to
  personal touch has impact. It suggests efficiency
  of organisation and consideration of the
  individual.
• 4. Relevance to work market, contacts with
  industry and hence improvement of job prospects
  very important.
• 5. Practical, hands-on approach is also valued.

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And dont forget PhD recruitment

• by distance learning (2nd Life supervisions!)
• graduate teaching assistants
• KTP associate
• following MRes
• Prof Doc
• Or CPD
• Sponsors, evenings, links to courses, WBL

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In summary

• Worldwide network of agents
• Course web site profiles of successful students
• Word of mouth student experience
• Personal touch swift turnaround of application
• Job prospects contacts with industry
• Hands-on teaching fit to market