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Leveraging Knowledge Cafes to enhance the international student experience
Desireé Cranfield 
,
Venter, IM,
John Mulyata
,
Venter, IM,
John Mulyata
10th Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital Excellence Awards: AN Anthology of Case Histories, Pages: 1 - 20
Swansea University Authors:
Desireé Cranfield , John Mulyata
Abstract
The MSc Management programme at Swansea University has experienced dramatic student growth in recent years, accompanied by a shift in its student demographic. The programme now boasts a predominantly international student body, with a significant number of students from Nigerian and India, as well a...
| Published in: | 10th Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital Excellence Awards: AN Anthology of Case Histories |
|---|---|
| ISBN: | 978-1-917204-08-8 978-1-917204-09-05 |
| Published: |
Reading
Academic Conferences International LTD
2024
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67685 |
| Abstract: |
The MSc Management programme at Swansea University has experienced dramatic student growth in recent years, accompanied by a shift in its student demographic. The programme now boasts a predominantly international student body, with a significant number of students from Nigerian and India, as well as, from the United States, Canada, Europe and other parts of Africa and Asia. This rapid influx of international students posed a unique set of challenges for both staff and students, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of cultural differences and nuances to ensure an enriched student experience. To address aspects of these challenges, the MSc Management programme team introduced drop-in conversational sessions and Knowledge Cafés designed to facilitate the sharing of experiences, cultures, and norms. These initiatives aimed to bridge gaps in understanding the British academic system and culture, offering a platform for students and staff to discuss their experiences and expectations. Despite some implementation difficulties, these cafés proved beneficial, thanks in part to the collaboration with the student experience team, who managed promotion, administration, and funding. Feedback from these Cafés has been overwhelmingly positive, with learning outcomes evaluated through Qualtrics surveys and immediate actions taken based on the results. This case study underscores the importance of innovative, culturally sensitive approaches in managing rapid international student growth and highlights how informal spaces for conversation can enhance the student experience and foster shared practices and understanding. |
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| Keywords: |
Knowledge Cafes, International Students, Higher Education, Cultural awareness |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Start Page: |
1 |
| End Page: |
20 |