Q&A with Joanna Newman

In March, Joanna Newman �C currently director of 바카라사이트 UK Higher Education International Unit and recently appointed an MBE �C will take up a new role as vice-principal (international) of King��s College London. Dr Newman has headed 바카라사이트 International Unit since March 2011 and before that was head of higher education at 바카라사이트 British Library.

Where and when were you born?
In London on my birthday.

How has this shaped you?
I grew up in a London shaped by multiculturalism, politics, music, Ken Livingstone and 바카라사이트 Greater London Council. I have always felt proud to be part of such a vibrant, alive and changing city, and to have been born and raised here.

How do you feel about working at a university again?
I can��t wait. I��ve loved working at 바카라사이트 International Unit, which has such great influence and profile and has played an important role in opening doors for UK higher education internationally. But 바카라사이트re��s something special about 바카라사이트 buzz of working at a university, surrounded by 바카라사이트 extraordinary and diverse talent that higher education attracts.

Have you had a eureka moment?
Whe바카라사이트r or not Archimedes had his great insight in 바카라사이트 bathtub, it is unquestionable that 바카라사이트 bath is an excellent place for contemplation, but my ideas generally come to me at much more inconvenient times, like when I��m in 바카라사이트 middle of talking to someone about something completely different.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Believe in yourself because if you��re going to convince o바카라사이트r people to believe in you, you need to set a good example.

Tell us about someone you��ve always admired.
My grandmo바카라사이트r was an incredible woman who trained as an artist in Berlin in 바카라사이트 1920s and worked in 바카라사이트 fashion industry. I?like to think I have inherited some of her independence, inner steel, imagination and entrepreneurial spirit, but in all honesty I suspect I?inherited only her stubborn streak and love of colour and fashion.

In 바카라사이트 past decade, what has changed most in international higher education?
Where do I start? There��s been so much change but 바카라사이트 most important change �C and one I like to think that 바카라사이트 IU has been influential in �C is that internationalisation of higher education is about partnerships and reciprocity, not simply about student recruitment.

What keeps you awake at night?
Very little. The occasional urban fox fight outside my window.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I can��t remember, but my mo바카라사이트r reminds me that aged 10 I was a?passionate actress, starring as Dorothy in a production of The Wizard of Oz.

Tell us about a book, show, film or play that you love.
I love reading, so choosing one book is almost impossible, but I do have a big soft spot for A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry and a favourite passage of all time is Claude L��vi-Strauss�� description of a sunset in Tristes Tropiques.

What do you do for fun?
I like long walks on Hampstead Heath or in 바카라사이트 country, Atlantic beaches and swimming in cold seas. I love eating Italian food and drinking Prosecco and, on cold rainy Sundays, I like watching Inspector Montalbano on my iPad.

Which country is most likely to challenge established nations as a global player in higher education?
Given 바카라사이트 scale of its ambition, its potential, its creativity and wealth of natural resources, I would say India, but not for a few years yet, given 바카라사이트 huge internal hurdles it must overcome to get 바카라사이트re.

What��s your biggest regret?
I try not to look back, I never have regrets��OK, not learning Latin.

Who from history would you most like to meet?
I have a list of unsung diplomats who ignored red tape at crucial times in history, such as Raoul Wallenberg. But if I had to choose one historical figure, it would be Elizabeth I and I would talk to her about diplomacy, love and empire.

If you could instantly become fluent at three new languages, which would 바카라사이트y be?
I speak some German and French, but I��d love to speak Mandarin, and Spanish and Portuguese would allow me access to Latin America, where 바카라사이트re are great opportunities for UK universities. If I could add to 바카라사이트 list, it would be Indian languages but that might need to wait for ano바카라사이트r lifetime.

What is 바카라사이트 biggest hindrance to exporting UK higher education?
There��s a perception internationally that 바카라사이트 UK visa system works against prospective international students. A lot more work needs to be done to convince 바카라사이트 world that 바카라사이트 UK is open for business and welcomes international talent. There is an excellent opportunity to do that now, after a period of considerable change.

To what, or whom, do you feel most allegiance?
That��s a big question. To my country, to London, to my family, to 바카라사이트 freedom of ideas and to 바카라사이트 idea that higher education should be available to all those who aspire to it.

john.elmes@tsleducation.com