Helping educational facilities understand the challenges facing travelling students and faculty

WHITE PAPER EXAMINES TRAVEL RISK MANAGEMENT FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TAKING STUDENTS OVERSEAS

Studying abroad is exciting for students, but brings a wide range of risks that need to be managed and mitigated by education establishments. 

Identifying and tackling these issues is a white paper published by global travel risk management and international medical and security assistance experts, Healix International.

‘Travel Risk Management for Higher Education Establishments’ discusses the evolution of risk, as well as suggesting duty of care provisions colleges and universities could implement to provide a robust support system for students and faculty travelling abroad.

Research included in the white paper looks at the increased threat of terrorist attacks, natural disasters and health epidemics, which face today’s travellers. And whilst terrorist attacks and natural disasters may be less likely, travelling students and faculty also have to consider accidents, theft and even illness.

The risk landscape shouldn’t deter students, but our white paper aims to encourage colleges and universities to prepare and equip their students by raising awareness of the risks.

Offering practical help to educational establishments, the white paper offers a duty of care best practice guide. This includes the 10 most important elements of a comprehensive risk management programme for higher education institutions. From travel assistance and pre-trip information to medical screening and planning, as well as security training and the power of mobile phone technology.

The white paper also looks at the role technology plays in helping educational institutions support students and faculty members. Harnessing web-based solutions allows colleges and universities to communicate with travelling faculty and student members, both day-to-day and during critical incidents.

However, the white paper also emphasises the importance of the human element in managing risk and the value of having access to professional support in a crisis.

Higher education organisations need to be aware of the changing risk landscape and what that means for their overseas students and faculty members.

Although technology has a key role to play in travel risk management, institutions need to offer the human element of travel assistance to deliver a comprehensive solution that can cope with a wide range of events.

Our white paper outlines the challenges, but also highlights the steps colleges and universities should take to offer the support their staff and students need, today.

Janice Buffett, Marketing Director, Healix International