Helen Johnson Head of Study Abroad, Office for Global Engagement Assessing and Managing Risk for Study Abroad

Principle of Risk Management.

The principles of good risk management and opportunity identification should be embedded at all levels of decision-making. Risk management and the identification of opportunities is undertaken at the University of Warwick as a positive business driver. It should encourage innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to the activities we undertake while assessing and accounting appropriately for the risks that the University faces.

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/gov/riskmanagement/risk_management_at_warwick_policy_february_2015.pdf

Context

220 + Partners600+ students worldwideStudyStudy/Work combination

Risk!

Risk in the broadest sense:1. Choice of Partner2. Financial3. Medical4. Welfare Support5. Academic 6. Political7. Terrorism8. Visa Related Issues9. Legal: arrest?10. Accidents11. Natural Disasters12. Lack of Preparation

+LimitationsOfficial University exchanges

Opportunity

PreparationIntroduced in 2015. Recommended Criteria and Approval Process for Undergraduate International Exchange Agreements Alignment with the University’s Strategy, Goal 1 Agreed criteria on the potential partner Preparation: guidance Set out the role of the Office for Global Engagement Process Timeline Role of the department Student expectations Completion of a Proposal Form: numbers, language, quality assurance, risk status, review, mark

transfer, credit transfer arrangements, departmental approval. Approval through a committee of the Academic Quality and Standards Committee, chaired by a

Prov-VCExchange agreement

Student Briefings

Introduction to Study Abroad: 4 Sessions in November

February: Compulsory briefingsInsuranceWelfare Support at the PartnerFinancial etcContact informationStudy Abroad websiteMoodle: Under development

Emergency Response Guidelines

Contact details for key members of staffClear understanding of chain of action Clarity on each rolePractical: Remote online access to databases for example SITS Ability to locate data effectively – vital!Hard copies kept in an Emergency contact fileScenario training with staff to ensure clear understanding of the emergency response requiredOngoing scenario training with the University’s Institutional Risk ManagerReview of procedures for effectiveness on a regular basis.

Emergency Procedures

Head of Study AbroadFirst point of contact

Information provided to Director, OfGEAction taken I

Director, OfGE may escalate to AR If Director not available, copy in the AR

Potential Alert to Deputy Registrar and Risk Team

AR action

Study Abroad ManagerSecond point of contact (cc on emails)

Student Global ExperienceAs sistant Director

Global PartnershipsAs sistant Director

Responsibility

• Is the first point of contact and will coordinate the incident

Head of Study

Abroad

• Copied into emails

Study Abroad

Manager

• To be contacted with the action taken

• For example: notification of the emails sent, if relevant: telephone call follow-up

Director of OfGE

• The Director of OfGE may escalate an incident to the AR. In cases of terrirorism, natural disasters, etc, the AR will need confirmation of the action taken and will make a decision if any further action needs to take place.

Academic

Registrar

• If a message is required for the University's website, a template document is provided.

Communicati

on

Risk in Practice

Access to Essential Information

University Business Travel Insurance

Insurance for all students and staff. Premium paid by the Office for Global Engagement.

Not private medical insurance: medical emergencies

There may be a requirement to take out separate insurance: Australia, USA, Turkey

All information on the Study Abroad website. Students receive a Safety Abroad card to carry with them.

But, still be prepared for telephone calls!

Study Abroad Scenarios for Discussion

Student reports depression and unable to attend classes.Student reports they wish to immediately withdraw from an exchangeStudent reports an alleged sexual assault in their student accommodationRisk of terrorism, or terrorist attack in a country