Bringing together 16 HR practitioners from across the Commonwealth, the inaugural HR Global UK Study Tour took place from 14-25 May.

The tour saw participants visit HR departments in universities across the UK, attend the Universities Human Resources (UHR) Conference, and hear from various associations and HR experts.

Commenting on the purpose of the study tour, Elizabeth Baré, from HR Global Innovations, said 'we want to provide an opportunity for HR leaders from around the world to share their experiences, learn from each other and see examples of good HR practice in the universities we visit. The ACU's support in this exercise has been invaluable.'

The participants indeed learnt from their peers, with one participant highlighting how it would not have been possible with any other model.

ACU HR in HE Community bursary holders (from left to right: Dhiraj Bhartu, Juhi Baruah, and Richard Manano). 

The ACU supported three members of the ACU HR in HE Community to take part in this unique experience, through full and partial bursaries – they were Juhi Baruah from Assam Don Bosco University in India, Richard Manano from Kyambogo University in Uganda, and Dhiraj Bhartu from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.

On the last day of the tour, Dhiraj Bhartu described his experience, saying 'this journey has opened up my horizons. Looking at the practices of other universities has helped me face my own challenges. Now I can see 101 ways of tackling things.'

These 16 strangers have formed friendships that will no doubt endure and built a network for continued collaboration and sharing. 

The HR study tour was run for the first time by HR Global Innovations and proudly sponsored by the ACU's HR in HE Community.

• Find out more about HR Global Innovations
• Join the ACU HR in HE Community here