Improving the way we work and travel overseas

The world is changing fast, and to meet our international ambitions we need to rapidly and continuously adapt the way that we work at the University.Last year, the International Business Project brought together a team of experienced colleagues to improve the way we develop, conduct and sustain our activities overseas, and to help ensure that staff and students who travel abroad comply with relevant laws and regulations.

The team has been creating and testing new tools and processes, and they will be giving an introduction to the work and calling for feedback at a series of workshops throughout May and June. Here they highlight some of the areas they are considering:

Mary Hurst – Head of the International Business Project

As a team, we are viewing this work through two lenses: how can we develop new ways of working that best meet the needs of the University, and how can we ensure that these new systems and processes are simple and intuitive for colleagues to use. At the moment there are simply too many different sources of information.

We’re looking at best practice in other institutions, both in the UK and the US, and are on track to deliver some really positive improvements for the University. We’re also starting to think about what the future operating model will be, so that this sort of advice is delivered sustainably beyond the life of the project.

Jen Guymer – International HR Manager

The complexities associated with working overseas, operating across cultures and recruiting internationally mean that the HR elements of this project also cross over a number of other professional service areas, including health and safety, tax, insurance and employment law.

Our challenge is to make this cross-over as seamless as possible for staff who need to work or recruit overseas.

Colleagues have told us that they are unclear about where they should get advice about visas and immigration, so just one of the changes that we are introducing is a single supplier for up-to-date and accurate visa advice, so that staff can be confident that they have the correct paperwork when travelling on business.

James Sturgess – Head of Financial Operations

When University of Southampton staff are based overseas, corporate and personal tax liabilities can be complex, and the penalties for non-compliance can be significant.

What’s classed as being ‘based’ overseas, and how the tax liability is managed, varies from country to country.

As a result of the International Business Project, we are now working with external advisors who can help us assess the liability for new overseas assignments and projects.

Like so many aspects of this work, the earlier we can partner with colleagues to assess new opportunities, the more efficiently we can source relevant advice and information.

Katy Fisher – Collaborative Provision Adviser in the Quality, Standards and Accreditation Team

Delivering education with others can bring many benefits to the University; working with partners builds strategic links, enhances the University’s reputation and furthers the University’s network of supporters and alumni.  However, there are inherent risks to both academic standards and quality when working with collaborative partners.

My priority is to ensure the University’s Collaborative Provision Policy and Procedures enables the University to have confidence in its collaborative arrangements and that the University meets the sector expectations as set out in the Quality Assurance Agency’s UK Quality Code.

The project team are currently acting as a one-stop-shop for colleagues with questions about international travel or initiating new business overseas. To find out more, or to sign up for a workshop, visit: http://go.soton.ac.uk/6xk