In 2023-2024, we’ve had many Staff Knowledge Exchange visits taking place across INU member universities, enabling the sharing of best practice, deepening connections between network members and furthering the internationalisation of member universities.
These experiences offer unforgettable professional and personal development opportunities, aimed specifically at administrative/professional services staff, whilst developing skills and sharing knowledge, practices and expertise.
To give a flavour of the impact of the visits, here are some quotes from from staff who’ve recently benefitted from the opportunity:
“The INU staff knowledge exchange enlarged my professional capacity, broadened my worldview, and allowed me to foster personal and professional connections across continents.”
Liezl Dick, Leadership Development Coordinator, Centre for Student Life & Learning, Stellenbosch University
Host Institutions: European University Viadrina and Osnabrück University in Germany
April 2024
“The INU staff knowledge exchange programme was a great opportunity to expand my professional horizon and establish personal contacts with colleagues at URV for future exchange and collaboration. I took home many ideas for my home institution which will hopefully come to life in the future. The programme is a unique way to learn, reflect, exchange and experience topics relevant to one’s own role/responsibilities.”
Anna-Julia Toll, International Student & Scholar Advisor, International Office, Osnabrück University, Germany
Host Institution: Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
March 2024
“This program is a great opportunity for administrative staff to share ideas, experiences and best practices with colleagues from around the world.”
Jan-Heinrich Brockmann, Language Program Administrator, Language Center, Osnabrück University, Germany
Host Institution: James Madison University (JMU), USA
September 2024
“I believe that participating in this opportunity has created me with the potential to be a life-changing experience (personal and professional) that pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, and overcome cultural and training ideologies.”
Eugene Booysen, Clinical Psychologist, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Host Institution: Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
October 2024
“The Staff Knowledge Exchange program was one of the most interesting and meaningful professional development experiences in my memory. The opportunity to receive and share information with professionals doing similar work but in a much different setting allowed me to develop new and helpful perspectives on the processes, expectations, and culture of my home department.”
David Onestak, Director, Counseling Center, James Madison University USA
Host Institution: Kingston University, UK
March 2023
“If you ever have an opportunity to experience a completely different country and culture than your own, grab that chance with both hands. Open your eyes, mind, and heart to the world around you and it will change your life. I was quite concerned about travelling to a different country alone, where I do not speak the language but learned that communication goes beyond language barriers, and I would not trade this experience for anything in this world.”
Dominique Meyer, Coordinator: Research Grants, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Host institution: Hiroshima University, Japan
September 2023
“Through the INU’s Staff Knowledge Exchange program, I can now say that I’ve witness the transformation of boundaries into bridges and differences into invaluable lessons, shaping me into a more versatile and globally attuned professional.”
Grayson Lee Lamore, Finance and procurement officer, Paediatrics and Child health, Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Host Institution: James Madison University, USA
October 2023
“Collecting knowledge and building everlasting bonds with associates, one destination at a time.”
Lorraine Cilliers, Administrative/Financial Officer, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Host Institution: European University Viadrina, Germany
Visit: October 2023
You can read more about INU’s Staff Knowledge Exchange program and how you could apply here