And the International Award goes to…

Attracting highly qualified international students and providing them with the best possible education and personal experiences require efforts on many levels. The winner of the UCPH 2015 International Study Environment Award handles this outstandingly well.

Each year the university awards a selection of special prizes. One of these is the International Study Environment Award. Based on nominations from students and staff, the prize is awarded to projects or individuals making a unique contribution towards improving the international study environment at UCHP. This year’s winner is the International Mentor Program at our Faculty of Science.

Run by students

The mentor programme is funded and coordinated by the Faculty, but is largely run by the many volunteer science students who devote much of their spare time to welcoming new students. They provide airport pick-ups, practical information and advice on how to get by in Copenhagen, as well as organizing social and cultural activities. Currently, 80 science students are volunteering as mentors for approximately 230 international students who commenced their studies this autumn.

Part of a larger strategy

"We are immensely grateful for the time and effort offered by all the volunteer mentors. The programme is an important part of our strategy to make the Faculty of Science an attractive international study destination and to retain the best and the brightest for further studies, research, or as part of the Danish work force. Social and cultural bonds are important factors when deciding to leave or stay in Denmark, and we believe that the mentors can play a crucial role in creating such bonds,” says Associate Dean for Education at the faculty of Science, Grete Bertelsen.

Well-deserved recognition 

The International Study Environment Award is first and foremost a massive recognition of the efforts and commitment of all the volunteer mentors at the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen. But it is also recognition of the way the programme is run: by students, for students, but backed by the University

In addition to the honour, the award comes with a prize of DKK 25,000 (USD 3,500) which will be spent towards further developing the programme. Congratulations to the Faculty of Science on a well-deserved award.

For further information about the mentor programme contact academic officer, Niels Brix Hornbek.