Teaching And Learning Portal

Professor Anthony Smith, Vice-Provost (Education), and his team are looking for staff interested in developing Grand Challenges-based courses for the new Global Citizenship Programme.

Following a Town Hall meeting in June, it has been decided that the Global Citizenship Programme will be an optional two-week course for undergraduate students which will run each summer in the post-examination period. Focusing on the four research Grand Challenges, it will offer students the chance to develop their ideas, skills and ambitions in ways which reflect the attributes UCL seeks to foster in its students (including critical and creative thinking, cultural sensitivity, entrepreneurship, and ethical and socially responsible behaviour).

The aim of the programme is to:

• Provide opportunities for students to come together on projects which reflect UCL's vision and values
• Give all students the chance to work across disciplines during their programme
• Encourage identification with UCL's research agenda and its commitment to the resolution of global problems
• Make better use of the post-examination period for students in disciplines that do not currently have activities during this time

The Vice-Provost is looking for staff who would be interested in developing the Grand Challenges courses, each of which will focus on the umbrella theme of 'water', for Year 1 students. (It is recognised that the post-examinations period is an exceptionally busy one for staff and so those involved in course development will not necessarily deliver the full course.) More details can be found in the Call for Expressions of Interest document.

Anthony said: "We will begin to market this programme to students from the start of the autumn term and we hope to attract 500 students from across the institution onto the pilot programme. It would help us a great deal if staff could make students aware of this programme in their induction talks in order to ensure that students do not plan to leave UCL immediately after their final exam has finished.

"My office will ensure that departments are kept up-to-date with the latest information about the courses and any marketing materials; staff’s help in introducing the programme to students will be very much appreciated."

The Global Citizenship Programme will engage participants over three years. The plan is to run a number of taught courses for Year 1 students, themed around the four Research Grand Challenges, and subsequently to develop volunteering, enterprise and careers activities for students in Years 2 and 3.

The Year 1 courses will be piloted in 2012-13, and Years 2 and 3 will be piloted in 2013-14.

To find out more, email Josh Blacker, Global Citizenship Officer: j.blacker@ucl.ac.uk.

• Download the Call for Expressions of Interest document