Bis research paper number 128 The wider benefits of international higher education in the uk

partnerships. 
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The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education in the UK 
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I44 developed an international network of specialists while studying for her PhD in 
medieval literature in Cambridge, and intended to return to New Zealand to pursue an 
academic career and facilitate group research projects in this subject. 
4.2.3.2 Implications 
UK-based personal contacts made during study in UK HE can form part of alumni’s 
professional networks and may represent considerable potential for the UK in the long 
term in the form of business links, collaborations and joint development work. A small 
number have already produced tangible economic benefits (reported under benefit type 
A2), but these are most likely outweighed by the potential future value inherent in these 
professional networks. 
Those who undertook postgraduate research degrees and now work in research careers 
tended to have more developed international professional networks than others, which 
may reflect the more interconnected and collaborative nature of their work, in comparison 
with graduates at the same career stage in other industry sectors. In this sense they may 
be somewhat similar to graduates working in family businesses, i.e. they may have 
somewhat ‘accelerated’ career positions in relation to international networking and 
professional interactions. 
It may well be that the professional contacts held by graduates will become more active 
with time, once graduates and many of their contacts move into more senior and influential 
employment positions. It is impossible to quantify the long-term benefit of these linkages, 
including the extent of benefit to the UK economy. Nonetheless, the existence of UK 
employees and their organisations amongst networks of trusted potential business 
partners, on a global basis, must represent considerable potential value in the long term. 
An evaluation of Chevening scholars and their influence refers to the “powerful network of 
long term friends and this is having a tangible impact on UK interests” (River Path 
Associates, 2004). The importance of such networking both for the alumni and the UK is 
recognised in, inter alia, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s support for its 
Professional Networks.