RMIT University

Reframing global experience for students and staff

RMIT University is committed to offering all 85,000 of its students in Australia, Vietnam and other parts of Asia the opportunity to take up a global experience, so that they graduate ready for life and the globalized world of work. However, due to high costs of overseas travel and other barriers, traditional mobility will only ever be a part of this opportunity. In addition, RMIT wanted to create opportunities for staff to increase their leadership capability through participating in global experiences.

RMIT partnered with Common Purpose as it reframed global experience, and together we have developed and delivered a portfolio of online and face-to-face global leadership programmes. In 2018, over 4,300 students and staff participated in Common Purpose programmes and developed their CQ.

Over 1,000 students completed the CQ Accelerator, an experiential online programme that develops CQ at scale. Over 1,200 students participated in Global Leader Experience and City Challenge programmes where they tackled global challenges as part of a diverse group in Melbourne, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore. Over 800 students took part in a one-day Leadership Forum in Melbourne. 3,856 micro-credentials have been issued to participants of Common Purpose programmes. 

35 senior university staff took part in our global programmes in Melbourne, Singapore and Jakarta, with over 100 more involved as Group Advisors for our student programmes. 140 industry leaders engaged with the students, including Uber, IBM, Westpac, United Nations Global Compact, Victorian Government, Melbourne City Mission and many more. 

“RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. As a global university, we partner with leading organizations around the world to achieve this goal and create a variety of study, learning and internship opportunities. Common Purpose brings to us a deep and established understanding of the links between leadership and Cultural Intelligence, in the context of building the skills, experiences and networks that will benefit RMIT graduates. Through partnerships with business, industry, government, not-for-profit and social organizations, we both understand what they need of RMIT graduates and provide opportunities for them to participate in their development.”
Rachel Holthouse, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Development & Vice President,
RMIT University

• 92% of students say our programmes have helped them develop as leaders
• 98% of students say they better able to engage with people who are different from them
• 99% of students say they are better able to adjust their behaviour in culturally diverse situations
• 97% of students say they are better able to recognize their biases and minimize their effects

“This programme actually challenged my way of thinking to the extent that I had to rearrange my thoughts to come up with a better statement. Overall rating: 12 out of 10.”
Airlangga Festyanto, Student, RMIT–Universitas Pelita Harapan

“A really good experience that introduced me to very diverse people, and motivated and enthusiastic minds. I would highly recommend to anyone looking to put themselves out there and have their perspectives of the world challenged!”
Ruby Martin, Student, RMIT Melbourne City Campus