Neil recently visited the University of Buckingham for a morning of discussions covering three interconnected areas of opportunity: international student recruitment, the prospects for expanded engagement in China, and the potential development of a new dental school.
The conversation on international students comes at a moment of heightened focus across the sector. As universities and government alike grapple with questions of capacity, funding, and global competitiveness, the case for a more strategic approach to attracting and supporting students from overseas has never been stronger. For an institution like Buckingham — known for its independence and entrepreneurial spirit — the opportunities in this space are considerable.
China featured prominently in the discussion, as UCEC has been deepening its own engagement with Chinese institutions and education partners, most recently through Neil’s visit to Henan Province earlier this year. The appetite for high-quality British education among Chinese students and institutions remains significant, and the conversation at Buckingham reflected a shared understanding of what a well-managed, well-resourced approach to that market can achieve.
Perhaps the most forward-looking element of the morning was the discussion around a prospective new dental school. The UK faces a well-documented shortage of dental professionals, and the government’s increased attention to growing the dentistry workforce presents a timely opening for institutions willing to invest in that provision. A new dental school at Buckingham could play a meaningful role in addressing that gap — and the ideas explored during the visit will be worth watching as they develop.
“Superb morning at the University of Buckingham. Great discussion on international students, opportunities in China and prospects for a new dental school. Looking forward to exploring ideas as ‘exporting education’ and increasing the dentistry workforce benefit from increased attention from the government.”
— Neil Carmichael, CEO
As Neil notes, both the exporting of education and the expansion of the dentistry workforce are receiving growing attention from government — a welcome development that lends momentum to exactly the kind of conversations taking place at institutions like Buckingham. UCEC looks forward to continuing to explore these ideas and the opportunities they present.
