INTO University Partnerships has unveiled a new initiative, Return & Connect, to enhance international students' career prospects. This platform, available digitally and physically, focuses on supporting students returning to their home countries after studying abroad. It facilitates connections with employer and alumni networks for work experience and post-study opportunities.

Developed in collaboration with universities in the UK, US, and Australia, Return & Connect brings academic institutions, students, alumni, and employers together. The service will launch in the summer of 2024 in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Mainland China, with plans to expand to other key international student markets.

John Sykes, CEO of INTO University Partnerships, confirmed the initiative's pivotal role in supporting international students' professional development. He highlighted how the platform extends the impact of university career and alumni services globally, directly benefiting students.

Steve Smith, the UK's international education champion, commended the platform for its collaborative approach to addressing the challenge of providing students with relevant employer connections after graduation. INTO has also partnered with mShare Tech; a Chinese firm specialising in internship and career services, to streamline the process for returning Chinese students entering the workforce, demonstrating the shared responsibility of this initiative.

This collaboration aims to establish Return & Connect as the go-to brand for international students in China. mShare will develop specialised subscription propositions for employers, enhancing their ability to engage with students who have studied abroad. Rocky Zeng, CEO of mShare Tech, emphasised the shared goal of fostering global talent and advancing career pathways for international students.