Westminster Working Cultures programme kicks off academic year with skills-building trips across the world

WWC is a University-wide initiative that helps students develop career confidence and build a global outlook by connecting them with Westminster’s diverse community of alumni and industry partners around the world. The programme is a key part of Westminster’s ambitions for Zone29 - the University’s new home for careers and enterprise which is due to open in Spring 2026. Zone29 provides students and graduates with access to work-related programmes, opportunities and experiences, and will connect students from all backgrounds to industry professionals to build the confidence and networks they need to succeed.

This year’s early autumn trips marked the start of the new academic year, offering students a unique opportunity to explore global career paths, develop professional skills and expand their networks. September’s programme was particularly significant as it marked the first-ever WWC trip to Tokyo, expanding the programme’s international reach even further.  

Three student cohorts travelled across Hong Kong, Tokyo and the UK, taking part in more than 30 sessions with 57 Westminster alumni and partner organisations. These sessions spanned industries such as architecture, creative, entrepreneurship, fashion, fintech, journalism, law, media and tech.

Westminster students at the World Economic Forum in Hong Kong

Participants met speakers from leading organisations including Amazon, the British Consulate General, CBRE, DLA Piper, Ipsos, Lego Group, Microsoft, Uber and the World Economic Forum. They also heard from a wide range of entrepreneurs and creatives, gaining an understanding of what it takes to start and sustain a successful career or business in different global markets.

Through workplace visits, panel discussions and informal meetups, students were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and reflect on their own personal and professional growth. Highlights included a day trip to Brighton; a talk by Levi Roots, entrepreneur, musician and Westminster honorary doctorate; a visit to the historic Senso-Ji Temple in Tokyo; and a session at The Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Hong Kong.  

Westminster students with Levi Roots

Reflecting on the WWC UK trip International Business BA Honours student Paola Lopez Martinez said: “This experience has reminded me that confidence is not about becoming someone else, it is about being true to yourself and realising the value you already bring. This is one of the most powerful lessons I will carry with me from this programme. I’m truly grateful to have been a participant on this life-changing programme.”

Law LLB Honours student Laiyba Rashid, who joined WWC Hong Kong, said: “This trip has been the most impactful experience of my life so far. It shaped me as a person and helped me understand the global professional landscape in a deeper way. The speakers we met, especially those who shared personal and emotional stories, reminded me that success is not just about skill but also about resilience and self-awareness.”

Since launching in 2017, WWC International has hosted 37 global trips, while WWC UK, launched in 2020, has delivered 18 domestic programmes and a range of follow-on events. Together, they have reached over 1,000 Westminster students and recent graduates. The next WWC international programme will take place in Mumbai in December 2025 and the next WWC UK programme will take place in April 2026.

The programme directly contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 17: Partnerships for Goals by helping students build the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Learn more by visiting the Westminster Working Cultures webpage or email the team.