International students studying with upGrad mark achievements in Liverpool

This academic year LJMU has welcomed hundreds of international students to its Liverpool campuses, enhancing their studies with online education partner upGrad.

Students from India and Vietnam, among others, spent time at the university during a series of immersive visits in November, January and April, exploring research projects and celebrating their academic achievements.

The international learners are from online programmes accredited by LJMU’s Liverpool Business School and School of Computer Science and Mathematics, with many working towards their postgraduate qualifications alongside their current employment. 

Those studying in partnership with Liverpool Business School will obtain MBAs (Master of Business Administration) and those studying with the School of Computer Science and Mathematics are undertaking studies across a host of programmes including the MSc in Data Science, MSc in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, MSc in Software Engineering and MSc in Computer Science.

Immersive visits 

During their visits to Liverpool students met with their respective faculties, toured the university facilities, heard from researchers, took part in careers talks as well as mini-research projects, presenting back their findings at the end of their visits.

All students who have visited this academic year were awarded certificates in specially arranged celebration ceremonies on campus. An upGrad graduation ceremony is due to take place in India in May with ceremony officials and school directors travelling from LJMU to attend.

Students were also introduced to LJMU’s alumni platform, LJMU Connect, which is set to host a new upGrad Mentoring Programme moving forwards to expand the global alumni network and support more graduates beyond the end of their studies.

What the students say

Anish Sharma, who is just embarking upon his MSc in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence while working as a People Analytics Leader in Mumbai, said: “There are a couple of topics that I am facing professionally that I want to research, so while working I am returning to academia. These three days have been really, really great. I’ve learnt a lot of things, of course about AI and ML, but there’s a softer side to the entire stay like time management. We’ve been attending classes, exploring Liverpool, and then also developing an app with strict deadlines. So, managing all of that – and having fun on the side – has been really overwhelming at first, but the experience was totally enjoyable.”

Navoneel Chakrabarty works as a data scientist with the IT and business consulting services firm CGI and is a graduate of the MSc in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence programme. He was delighted to visit Liverpool in April and work with a team to develop an application for predictive diagnostics of heart disease using a generative AI model as part of a research challenge.

The immersion programme has been a great opportunity for me to actually visit LJMU in-person.

Navoneel Chakrabarty, upGrad graduate

Providing opportunities and adding value to online experiences 

Speaking about the students most recent visit to Liverpool in April, Professor Dhiya Al-Jumeily OBE, a Professor of Artificial Intelligence within LJMU’s School of Computer Science and Mathematics, said: “These three days in Liverpool provide our students with an intensive opportunity to talk about the philosophy of Industry 4.0 (the fourth industrial revolution) and to explore research.

“They are already professionals, and are working, but they want to do a better job and have more employment opportunities. These studies are challenging but provide them with the opportunity to become international citizens and to help people through their work.”

We have now hit the magic number of 1,000 upGrad MBA learners attending the Liverpool immersion programme. The event adds further value to their online MBA with learners welcoming their engagement with Liverpool Business School, LJMU, and of course the city of Liverpool.

Dr Mike Aiello, a member of the Executive Education and Professional Development Team at Liverpool Business School

Dr Martin Selby, Principal Lecturer for International Collaborative Programmes at Liverpool Business School, added: “In the immersion event learners network, make new friends and demonstrate their ability to team-build, collaborate, be creative, and be competitive. Skills that are much needed and valued in shaping a better future in the business world.”

upGrad collaborative studies

Find out more about LJMU’s partnership with upGrad and opportunities for international study.