The Higher Education Review

Prof. Gerald Pillay Vice-Chancellor and Rector Professor

Prof. Gerald Pillay, the Vice-Chancellor & Rector, is the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the University and, amongst many other things, is responsible to University Council for the organization, direction, and management of the University and leadership of the staff. He is widely published and has a distinguished academic career. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Rhodes University and a Doctor of Theology degree from the University of Durban.

Studying in a foreign country comes with its own set of advantages that can play a strong part in moulding one's career. Living in a new country undoubtedly prepares the prospective students for life, but the initial adjustments and the ‘cultural shock', that the students are supposed to pass through, often develop critical problems in the path of completing the degree. Committed to providing a seamless transition to its students and rated in the top 5 in the UK for teaching quality and student experience, Liverpool Hope University over the years has witnessed several batches of international students leaving the campus with a big smile on their face along with a sense of contentment.

"We welcome our students to gain an extremely personalized education at Liverpool Hope. For international students, the University has an International Hub. which supports them throughout their course tenure," says Gerald Pillay, Vice-Chancellor and Rector Professor, Liverpool Hope University. The University is equally proud to be named as a Gold Standard University for teaching excellence (TEF 2017), reflecting the research-led teaching that the finest team of academics adopts and the sustained academic, personal and financial support and

care that the students are offered through a range of bursaries and scholarships. Prof. Pillay adds, "We have special partner packages for our Indian students coming from partner universities." The international students are also invited to participate in a focused orientation programme on arrival and there is a year-long social and cultural programme that is organized by the International Hub.

Prof. Pillay proudly says, "International students can also take advantage of our academic peer-writing mentor programme and we duly encourage them to promote the Indian arts and culture to the wider University community and extend links with local Indian associations, particularly for festive events such as Diwali. Notably, the University is also home for Milapfest, the UK's leading Indian Arts Development Trust." It is no surprise considering the University's Business courses is widely renowned, that the Indian students mostly choose to pursue courses such as BA Business Management, International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) coupled with BSc Computer Science, BSc Mathematics, BSc Electronic & Computer Engineering, MSc Mathematical Informatics, MSc Data Science and so on. "The Liverpool Hope Business School has been awarded Business School of the Year in the North, by Educate Awards 2018," pinpoints Prof. Pillay.

Recognizing the University’s academic reputation, in 2008, even Late Dr. Abdul Kalam visited Liverpool Hope and encouraged the entire Liverpool Hope community to build a global culture of leadership for tomorrow's leaders. Prof. Pillay shares, "With many of our graduates finding high profile jobs worldwide, the University boasts of ongoing relationships with high ranking institutions in India. Our Indian graduates are working in the Indian civil service, global tech companies and academic posts overseas".

For an Extraordinary Academic Journey

One of the most student-friendly cities in the UK and recently declared as the winner of the ‘Best City Life' by National Student Choice Awards, Liverpool city has evolved as a preferable option for international students when thinking of pursuing an overseas education. "Liverpool Hope is nestled in two captivating teaching campuses, a dedicated accommodation campus,

and an outdoor education center. The campus is often referred to as ‘a village' near the city which allows students to explore the bustling life of Liverpool while also being able to experience the strong sense of community that we have at Liverpool Hope," states Prof. Pillay. Consisting of best of both worlds' facilities and infrastructure, the campuses prides itself on having an international community, which has been possible not only because of the presence of international students, but also the academic staff who come from 35 different countries.

"Research is an integral part of our academic life and vision at Liverpool Hope. All our faculty members being highly research-oriented means they are able to transfer the latest version of knowledge to our students, coupled with encouraging them to undertake varied research activities," says Prof. Pillay. Rather than teaching a modular curriculum, the University follows an integrated one, ensuring a coherent approach to learning with students studying the core essential elements of their respective subjects. Prof. Pillay adds, "In our tutorial system, each first-year student forms part of a tutorial group of 10, letting the tutor know every student and monitor their progression and engagement easily". Students are taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, and tutorials at Liverpool Hope.

The University also assists the students in their career endeavors via valuable career advice and guidance. "Figures recently released from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that 98.1 percent of our graduates are in employment or further study, six months after graduating. This makes Liverpool Hope Top 2 in the UK," says Prof. Pillay. Moreover, the University offers volunteering opportunities in India, teaching English in disadvantaged communities and building self-esteem with rural students through its Global Hope programme and its Service & Leadership award. With a history extending more than 170 years and staying firm to its distinctive philosophy of ‘educate in the round' – mind, body, and spirit – in the quest for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, Liverpool Hope promises to develop the students into rounded and employable graduates who can take their place confidently as global citizens in the 21st century.