INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
Differing perspectives Supporting graduate success in today’s world requires giving students distinct, globally relevant experiences to set them apart. For example, the chance for our students to work with a local partner or NGO in India could be unique on their CV. Likewise, welcoming mobility students to our postgraduate programmes allows us to exchange knowledge and experience. The most meaningful partnerships are those built on reciprocity, where both sides learn, grow and co-create value. It’s about creating partnerships with lifelong colleagues who can share projects together. We know how important it is for students to gain a deeper intellectual and cultural understanding of their discipline. Every partnership is different; we can’t assume one way of thinking aligns with the rest of the world. Our partners in India
often face challenges that differ from our own, informing their practice and problem-solving approaches. For students, recognising and understanding those differences is vital. Sharing such practices, therefore, is useful because many of our students will end up working with global companies. They will have to ensure their cultural competency is at a level where they can approach problems from different perspectives, while having empathy for At the event, I was able to reconnect with existing partners and meet new ones. It was incredible to see the work they’d been doing. This really emphasised to me the importance of securing partnerships with schools that align with your own institution’s goals. One of the partners I visited does outreach with people from difficult socio-economic backgrounds. They bring students to the NGO that they’ve created on campus and help them develop their education. They also connect these individuals to MBA students who become their mentors. By the time they leave, they will have met six or seven MBA students, bolstering their network for life. Student benefits explained With some partnerships, students get the opportunity to study abroad. In reality, however, not every student can do this due to conflicting life commitments, financial or environmental reasons. Partnerships what other countries are facing. Partnership alignment
mean that schools across the world can create other opportunities for students, either in‑person or virtually. As MMU Business School is part of the Global Business School Network, we were involved in the Changemakers’ Programme in which students were teamed up online with peers in other countries to solve real-world problems. The feedback was incredible; it wasn’t just about the knowledge they shared – it was also about creating those global networks. This mirrors the modern workplace: in global companies, you’re not just going to be working with people from your team in your part of the country; you’re going to be collaborating with teams around the world. They’ll have different cultures and ways of thinking. Experiencing this first hand gives students the opportunity to reflect on how they might engage with people going forward when they graduate. Connecting on a human level Ultimately, partnerships are about people. Their greatest power lies in helping students build empathy, resilience and communication skills. These human qualities are what make global business relationships successful. Whether it’s understanding a partner’s local customs or sharing a meal in their community, these experiences foster deeper trust and more authentic collaboration. For me personally, taking time to learn about a partner’s culture has always deepened mutual respect and made professional collaboration smoother. When leaders approach partnerships with empathy and genuine curiosity, negotiations become more than transactions; they become opportunities for shared growth. This is something we want to communicate to our students: success in global business depends on human connection. Partnerships between UK and Indian institutions are more than academic agreements; they are bridges that prepare students to become responsible, globally minded leaders.
Liz Warren is faculty head of international at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, leading the school’s internationalisation agenda and fostering a globally engaged academic culture
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Business Impact • ISSUE 6 • 2025
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