The University of Kent International College (UK IC) was formally launched on Thursday 19 April with a Canterbury campus event.
Leading the celebrations were Kent’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Karen Cox, and Lil Bremermann-Richard, CEO of Oxford International Education Group (OIEG). Oxford International Education Group operates the new College in partnership with the University.
They were joined by colleagues from across the partnership, including OIEG’s Chief Development Officer David Pilsbury; Kent’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience, Professor Richard Reece; and Roshanak Zarabi, Director of UK IC.
Based in a dedicated building on the University’s Canterbury campus, UK IC was designed for international students to start with their studies at Kent, with the programme enabling them to choose one of two undergraduate pathways (International Foundation Programme or International Year Zero), or one postgraduate (International Incorporated Master’s) pathway.
The new College and partnership will support the University’s global engagement strategy, informing it with a deep understanding of the varied needs of students and helping deliver a seamless recruitment experience. Through focused academic learning and pastoral care, OIEG will ensure that UK IC provides students with the best opportunity to successfully progress onto their chosen course of study.
Professor Cox said: ‘I was delighted to welcome Kent colleagues and partners from Oxford International Education Group to the official launch of this bold new initiative for the University. I would also like to thank all those who, through many months of hard work, have turned our vision into what is set to become a new, life-enhancing pathway to study here at Kent, or to prepare for higher education in general.
‘I was also delighted to welcome those students who have already joined us from across the globe. This will be a tremendous opportunity for them and those who follow in their footsteps to experience student life and academic study, with access to world class facilities and teaching staff. I wish them every success for their future.’
Lil Bremermann-Richard said: ‘We were delighted to celebrate the official inauguration of the University of Kent International College. In January, we welcomed the first cohort of international students, and we know that this partnership opens a world of learning opportunities for them, whilst helping enhance the University’s global reputation.
‘As Oxford International we take pride in and are committed to delivering a seamless recruitment and learning experience for students, which puts quality and student outcomes first. We are excited to see our students learn, grow and flourish and hope that our programmes will provide a transformative and rewarding experience for them, as they have done for thousands of students before them.’
