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Almost a hundred first year undergraduates followed one of two courses based around the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Grand Challenges: The Danube (Intercultural Interactions) and People and the Sea (Human Wellbeing). Activities included film showings, guest lectures, Danubian language taster lessons, skills training and a Rio+20 style summit.

The Programme, which offered students the opportunity to work across disciplines and develop crucial communication and networking skills, ran during the two weeks following summer examinations. It culminated in a reception for all involved, where students exhibited their films, posters and an online interactive map.

Professor Anthony Smith, Vice-Provost (Education), presented awards for the best pieces of work and thanked all involved for their contributions. Prof. Smith said: "I'm delighted with the work the students have produced. For a pilot, this has been incredibly successful - although there are lessons to learn for next year when we roll out to a larger cohort."

Staff from a number of different departments were involved in delivering this innovative multidisciplinary Programme, with the two courses being led by Dr Caroline Garaway (¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Anthropology) and Dr Tim Beasley-Murray (SSEES).

Next year, alongside an enlarged first-year course, second- and final-year undergraduates will be offered the opportunity to take part in Enterprise, Volunteering and Employability strands as part of the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Global Citizenship Programme, being developed by the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Careers Service, Volunteering Services Unit and ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Advances respectively.

Academic staff interested in contributing to next year's first-year programme, with particular emphasis on the Grand Challenges of Sustainable Cities and Global Health, should contact Josh Blacker.