College welcomes students from Belgium for international study tour

Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) recently hosted a reciprocal visit for students from HOGENT University in Ghent, Belgium as part of a study tour, made possible with funding from the Mercer Foundation.

The visit centred around the concept of placemaking, with a particular focus on how businesses adapt and thrive within their local environments.

The tour provided students with valuable insights into how organisations have diversified to reflect and support their communities.

As part of the experience, students visited a range of innovative businesses and initiatives, including The National Brewery Heritage Trust, Denby Pottery Village, Derby Down to Earth and Farm Fresh Revolution, each showcasing unique approaches to aligning business strategy with local identity and need.

Speaking about the study tour, Chris Beech said: “We’re very grateful for the Mercer Foundation’s funding, which has made this valuable experience possible.

“It’s important to us as a college because travel is a big element of education, particularly higher education, as it extends learning beyond the classroom.

“This study tour not only enriches learners academically but also personally.

“The opportunity to connect with international partners like HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB), allows our students to engage in meaningful exchanges that broadens their perspectives and demonstrates global awareness for success in future careers.”

Anthony Tomlinson, a current Computer Science (Cyber Security Technologist) student at BSDC, took part in the study tour as he felt it would be a valuable experience.

Reflecting on the opportunity, he said: “This experience has been a great boost to my self-confidence as I begin this new chapter in my life.

“Over the years, I’ve had a varied career path, but due to health reasons, I made the decision to retrain.

“I chose to enrol at BSDC to study for a foundation degree in Cyber Security as the course aligns with where the world is heading, into areas like AI, quantum computing and cybertronics.

“This study tour has been a fantastic introduction to the college, allowing me to meet new people from different cultural backgrounds, and offered valuable insight into how businesses operate and adapt to remain relevant and successful.”