Edge Hill in Transatlantic Exchange

Academic and support staff at Edge Hill enjoyed a 'taste of the big apple? with the visit of Mike Daniels from the College of Staten Island, New York.

Mike, associate dean for Student Affairs at the college which is part of the City University of New York sister group, was the first visitor from overseas as part of a staff exchange that has been set up between the two institutions.

Edge Hill?s dean of the Faculty of Education Robert Smedley sponsored the unique exchange scheme, which includes service as well as academic staff, last autumn.

During his weeklong visit to West Lancashire, Mike gave a series of talks including a live link-up with New York to demonstrate voice recognition technology that is utilised at CSI to enable the hard of hearing to 'read? lectures.

He said: "It was refreshing to learn that certain procedures are employed with the same levels of success at Edge Hill and over at CSI. While there are a few operational differences, both institutions support their students in a dedicated and proactive manner which is great to see.

"During my stay I have been made to feel most welcome and I can?t thank the students and staff of Edge Hill enough for their hospitality."

Phil Rigby, Edge Hill?s head of humanities in the Faculty of Education, crossed over the Atlantic in November last year to observe teaching standards and share ideas with our American cousins.

"I was surprised at how similar the two institutions were in terms of size of campus, number of students, and range of study programmes available," he said. "It is an invaluable relationship that will hopefully lead to an enhanced teaching environment for students both in Ormskirk and in New York."

The next Edge Hill member of staff to benefit from the scheme will be head of Student Services Chris Coleman who will work with Mike in the College of Staten Island?s large division of student affairs later this year.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity this programme of exchange visits will bring. Mike and I have identified some key areas of collaboration, including the possibility of a student exchange programme, that we hope will bring mutual benefits to our students."