The University in recent years has focused on making its students more globally aware and was nominated in part for its unique and highly successful Go Global initiative a key element of its internationalisation strategy.

Professor Ashraf Jawaid, Deputy Vice Chancellor (External Relations), who leads the University’s International Strategy said: “We are thrilled to have been nominated for this award. It is great that all our hard work and effort over the last few years has been recognised.

“Our aim is to help our students become globally aware and to help broaden their job prospects, making our students more marketable and employable.”

Since its inception 2013 Bedfordshire’s Go Global scheme has seen over 700 UK and EU students take part in visits to locations as far flung as China, the USA and India. During the same period 300 international students were sent on Go Europe mobility trips to European capitals.

The scheme is unique because students are only expected to pay a proportion of the cost with the balance paid by the University.

“This is the kind of opportunity,” said Prof Jawaid, “that you wouldn’t get without going to an internationally connected University such as the University of Bedfordshire.

“Through our Go Global scheme our students get the taste of the culture, economy and in some cases languages of an overseas country as well as some idea of the job market and job prospects. It is also an opportunity for student to become globally networked through both other participating students and also through the overseas staff, students and locals in the country they are visiting.”

There are currently five Go Global trips available for students studying at the University to take part in. They are to Vietnam, Shanghai, Malaysia and Singapore, Guangzhou (China), and Brazil

The winners of the Thelma’s will be revealed at an awards ceremony in London on 23 June 2016.