UWIC offers a comprehensive range of courses which attract students of all ages and from many backgrounds.

For the past three years Ruth, a lecturer in Art & Design, has built-up a special relationship between UWIC and Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SFAI) in China – one of the country’s top three art and design colleges. Ruth identified the potential for combining the high skills levels of the students with a more creative and experimental approach to ideas – an approach which would also increase staff confidence and motivation.

She set about addressing these concerns with a passion through a strategy of communication at all levels; she demonstrated lecturing techniques and encouraged inclusiveness through a creative teaching model. As a result SFAI staff are more confident and the institute is redesigning its degree course. Students have benefited by becoming more independent, motivated, are critically-aware and creative. Ruth has been awarded a professorship by the SFAI and has been nominated for 2006 Three Gorges Friendship Award – the highest award available to a foreigner from the public sector in Sichuan province.

The wide-ranging educational changes at SFAI will have radical, long-term positive effects on students’ learning and motivation. Perhaps the greatest praise is the words of the Chinese students; “I have made much progress, become much braver and I’m able to push my thinking further; The teaching approach ignited my passion and desire to study; We did work that seemed impossible before; We progressed by experimenting with passion, joy and the encouragement of the teacher.” Ruth’s determination and leadership has set in motion a positive change in education that will inspire, support and encourage a new generation of students. Without Ruth’s drive and vision none of this would have been possible.