Wales success in Libya
Universities from Wales will be returning to Libya in March 2010 following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Wales International Consortium and the Ministry for Education & Scientific Research, Libya .
The Understanding was signed following a unique Wales International Consortium mission to Libya in 2009 which is set to result in many research and teaching links between the two countries.
In March 2010, a Wales International Consortium representative will be returning to Libya along with colleagues from 6 universities to attend meetings and the ELTEX Education Exhibition in Tripoli and Benghazi to further strengthen the growing relationship.
In December 2009, 8 universities; Bangor University, Cardiff University, Glyndwr University, Swansea Metropolitan University, Swansea University, University of Glamorgan, UWIC and University of Wales Newport participated in a fact finding and profile raising visit to Libya. The itinerary was supported by UK Trade and Investment and the British Council in Libya and included meetings with the Minister of Education and Scientific Research, and heads of Al-Fatah University, the Academy of Graduate Studies, the Economic Development Board, the National Oil Corporation, the Petroleum Training & Qualifying Institute, and the Libyan Scholarship Programme amongst many others. At a packed reception at the Ambassador’s residence an audience of heads of industry and education expressed their interest in many of the latest developments including Glyndwr University’s state of the art flight simulator and Swansea University’s supersonic car. As part of the mission the higher education institutions also participated in a Getenergy event for Sustainable Capability Development through Education, Training and Learning Partnerships.
University of Glamorgan’s Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (HASS) recently signed a major partnership with Libya as part of the Training Gateway programme to provide training in the UK to approximately 600 Libyan students in Health & Public Service Management and Clinical & Non-Clinical Management.
Wales is already a popular choice for education for Libyan students with a 42% increase in students in 2008/09. Currently there are 161 students from Libya studying at higher education institutions in Wales.
Virginia West, Director, Wales International Consortium said “Wales International Consortium offers a unique vehicle for a developing country like Libya to collaborate with a wide range of research and industry experts in Wales. Universities in Wales are looking to form long term relationships with Libya that will be of benefit not just to the universities and Centres of research excellence but also of benefit to businesses and industry. This new type of partnership between Wales and Libya is made possible because the universities in Wales are working collaboratively for the shared benefit of both countries. “