International SOS are a commercial company (trading for over 25 years) using the event to both raise awareness of the growing trend in internationalisation and also, albeit subtly, raise the profile of their business services to support universities meet the challenges of overseas risks. Universities such as Nottingham and Hull currently outsource certain aspects of their overseas safety management to International SOS, particularly trip preparation, repatriation and in-country assistance.

The event explored Travel Risk Management, Global Medical Risk and explored Mass Emergency Evacuation Services provided by International SOS using a case study of the 2006 Lebanon conflict.  The Lebanon case study was based upon the experience of Harvard students needing to be evacuated after the main airport had been bombed.  At the outset of the conflict Harvard knew of 3 student travellers, within one week this number had increased to 47.  The case highlighted the importance of tracking travellers.

The Pro Vice Chancellor provided an overview of the work undertaken by the University of Nottingham to establish campuses in Malaysia and China.

Shortcomings

The session ran out of time for any lengthy question or answer session and it may have been better if the organisers had encouraged questions to be asked after each individual session.

There were no syndicate exercises and limited interaction with delegates, however there were opportunities for networking during breaks and lunch in a well equipped dining hall.

It was disappointing that there was no reference to the work being undertaken by USHA/UCEA on revising the Safety in Fieldwork and Overseas Travel sector guidance, nor any reference to the introduction of the British Standard 8848.  It appeared a glaring omission not to mention the HE sector guidance currently available and a missed opportunity not to ask delegates what their concerns were.

I took the opportunity to speak with Dr Gary Rhodes from Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles), and was invited to visit Loyola to preview their Center for Global Education SAFETI online system and PLATO http://www.globaled.us/plato/about.html.  Gary was keen to discuss ways in which the UK could collaborate with the US.

International SOS do run other briefing sessions in London, but to date these have not been themed toward Universities.  It is unclear whether further sessions will run.