Last month I joined colleagues from across the higher education sector in Birmingham for the Times Higher Education’s Campus Live, which brought together leaders, policymakers and industry voices to discuss how we are collectively addressing the many issues facing the sector.
Chief among these was the effect of restrictive policies introduced by the former Conservative government, which banned the majority of international students from bringing dependents with them when they started their studies.
Indeed, UCAS figures have shown that the number of international students accepting a place on a UK degree course fell this year, particularly among postgraduate students. These challenges have served as a catalyst for many universities to rethink what it means to be truly ‘international’.
At DMU, however, we have been on this journey for some time, building partnerships around the world and creating a network of campuses through our Transnational Education (TNE) programme. This has grown from just over 1,000 students studying for awards overseas in 2018/19 to nearly 9,000 students in 2022/23.
We have partnerships in Dubai, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, China and Cambodia which are flourishing, offering thousands of students a high-quality education grounded in DMU’s values and academic excellence.
I’d like to share with you some of the successes we have seen with our overseas strategy, and exciting news about a new UK campus:
CAMBODIA
This year, DMU became the first UK university to open in Cambodia with a campus in Phnom Penh. Its official opening ceremony was held by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, who said DMU Cambodia would be a “catalyst” for improving options for young people.
Dominic Williams MBE, British Ambassador to Cambodia said he saw the opening as a “significant British contribution” to Cambodia’s continued development.
DUBAI
I travelled to Dubai in November to preside over our first-ever graduation ceremony for students who have been part of DMU Dubai. This year we took the decision to move to a new campus in Dubai’s Internet City where it sits among the offices of global brands such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft.
Teaching spaces first opened in the building in September 2024, with completion of the ground floor facilities finishing in November 2024. The campus, which will serve 3,000 students, boasts up-to-date computing, psychology and engineering labs, state of the art teaching spaces, and landscaped areas to relax in on campus.
Our TNE programme has fostered invaluable opportunities for student mobility and research collaboration. In 2024, more than 150 students took part in DMU Global trips to partner institutions, while a similar number of international students visited Leicester. These exchanges enrich the educational experience, create cross-cultural understanding, and prepare our students for a globalized world.
LONDON
2024 has also been a year of new beginnings. The opening of DMU London marks a transformative chapter in our history. With UKVI approval to recruit international students and plans underway to create a cutting-edge campus, DMU London will extend our reach and offer unparalleled opportunities for students and staff alike. This development, coupled with our existing TNE portfolio, positions DMU as a leader in international education and pedagogic innovation.
As we step into 2025, we are not just responding to the demands of a changing world—we are shaping it.
Signed
Professor Katie Normington
Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University
