Education Secretary visits University

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams AM today (Thursday 8 December 2016) visited Cardiff University's Global Opportunities to learn more about how the University is providing opportunities for all students in an international context. The University's Global Opportunities Team provides a dedicated resource and source of expertise for all of the international opportunities available through the University. Using the University's links with over 300 institutions, both in Europe and worldwide, the Centre support's provides students with the opportunity to embark on an overseas placement whether as part of their degree scheme, or as part of an opportunity to study, work or volunteer abroad on a summer placement. Students who have a period abroad (whether studying, working and volunteering) during their time at university are more employable. Feedback from students who have been abroad believed their placements enabled them to develop skills that would be useful in future employment, with a recent CBI report showing that work experience gained through business placements or internships can play a valuable part in strengthening students' preparedness for employment. Speaking after the visit, Cardiff University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan said: "Wales has a strong record in attracting international students, but whilst some 10 per cent of the world's students choose to study in the UK, we still need to do much more to encourage our own students to be mobile.