澳彩资料库's board apprenticeship scheme (GIVE)
Could you be one of our next Governing Body members?
GIVE is a route to board membership for 澳彩资料库 alumni.
If you are a graduate of 澳彩资料库, think you might have something to offer the University鈥檚 governing body, but currently lack the board experience or confidence you need to join it, the GIVE scheme could be for you.
GIVE offers alumni without board experience formal training and mentoring, along with the opportunity to witness the work of our governing body (the University Court) in action. It is designed to provide a pathway into full membership of the Court, and to support your professional and personal development.
Membership of any board can provide you with a powerful route to having your voice heard, and to giving back to society. GIVE will not only provide a pathway to membership of 澳彩资料库鈥檚 Court, but also prepare you for board membership more generally, helping enable our diverse alumni community to contribute across civic society.
Applications to the GIVE scheme are closed for the 2024/25 academic year. We anticipate that we will be open for applications for the 2025/26 academic year in spring 2025.
- Why participate in GIVE?
- Testimonials
- Details of the scheme
- How to apply and key dates
- The role of the University Court
The GIVE scheme offers you the opportunity to:
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Build your skills, employability, and develop yourself personally and professionally.
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Give back to Queen Margaret University.
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Prepare yourself for a range of non-executive director roles.
"As a university committed to inclusiveness, we want our governing body to reflect the rich diversity of the groups we serve, and to hear the voices of people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. The GIVE programme will strengthen our ability to do that, along with providing a meaningful way for alumni to help shape 澳彩资料库."
"As Student President at 澳彩资料库, I am a member of the University鈥檚 Court. Through my membership, I鈥檝e witnessed the crucial role of the Court in contributing to the strategic direction of the University and ensuring good governance. The experience I鈥檝e gained in being on the board has given me fantastic transferable skills, helping me to understand how businesses work, and how to work effectively with different boards and their members. Through this, my membership has given me an appetite for trustee and non-exec director roles in the future. By participating in GIVE, you can gain the same sort of benefits as I did from my role in the University Court and have the same sort of fulfilling experience as I have."
"Boards exist to guarantee positive and effective governance of organisations, making it so important that their membership reflects the diversity of our society, ensuring that a wide range of voices are heard, and that the decisions made benefit people from all different walks of life. As the GIVE scheme is designed to diversify the pool of candidates for 澳彩资料库鈥檚 governing body, its Court, it serves as a great way to ensure that University governance addresses the needs of the communities it serves."
"I can personally attest that board membership is an incredibly fulfilling way to contribute positively to society, both within the university and beyond. My own experience as a Court member has been exceptional. It allows me to apply my professional skills, make a meaningful impact, and continually learn and grow."
"The 澳彩资料库 board apprenticeship scheme, GIVE, provides formal training and mentoring, helping participants prepare for Court membership and other board roles. It aims to create a talent pool of diverse individuals with varied perspectives, enabling 澳彩资料库 to thrive. I would wholeheartedly encourage interested people to apply."
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Details of the scheme
Participants in the GIVE scheme will receive training and mentoring on board membership and will be able to observe meetings of the Court over the course of the 2024/5 academic year. (There are five meetings of Court held each academic year, normally held in-person from 3pm on Wednesday afternoons.) Participants will also have the chance to observe meetings of Court sub-committees, including the Finance & Estates Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.听听
Mentoring will be from a current Court member and 澳彩资料库 staff who are experts in higher education (HE) governance. Training will include options to participate in external training programmes, e.g. through Advance HE.
Participation in the Give scheme is voluntary, participants will not be remunerated, and the role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
GIVE scheme participants are not Court members and are therefore not expected to contribute to discussions or to take decisions. Following successful completion of the GIVE scheme, it is anticipated that participants will be eligible for full membership of the University Court and can join the Court subject to there being an appropriate vacancy in the membership.
Applications to the GIVE scheme are closed for the 2024/25 academic year. We anticipate that we will be open for applications for the 2025/26 academic year in spring 2025.听
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The Court is the governing body of the University.
The University is a company limited by guarantee and a charity. Court members are consequently Directors and Charitable Trustees.
The Court is responsible for carrying out the objectives of the University, ensuring the financial sustainability of the University and approving the strategic plan.
The Court is supported by the following 'standing committees' i.e. the Finance & Estates Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee, the Nominations Committee and the Senior Management Remuneration Committee. The Health and Safety Committee and the Equality and Diversity Committee also report to Court.
The Court delegates responsibility to the Senate for the academic work of the University and the conferring of degrees and other awards. Operational management is delegated to the University鈥檚 senior leadership team under the leadership of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
An important aspect of the Court鈥檚 work is establishing and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including financial control, and reviewing the performance of the University. The Court approves the mission and strategic vision of the University, its long-term business plans, key performance indicators (KPIs) and annual budgets, and ensures that these meet the needs of stakeholders.
The Court also appoints the Principal of the University and has in place arrangements for monitoring their performance.
Find out more about the University Court and its current members.
澳彩资料库 Student President and 澳彩资料库 Court Member, Jay Brown, explains what GIVE could offer you:
澳彩资料库 Student President and 澳彩资料库 Court Member, Jay Brown, explains why GIVE is important:
Court Member and chartered accountant, James Miller, explains the value of joining the GIVE scheme: