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Strategic Investment Fund

globeThe Strategic Investment Fund was desgined to support the aims of the Scottish Government's International Framework by increasing the capacity of Scotland's colleges and universities to attract and retain students and high calibre staff from across the globe, while improving opportunities for students and staff from Scotland to develop their skills and experience overseas.

The fund supports projects designed to promote collaborative working which will:

  • enhance Scotland's profile in key international markets
  • increase college and university engagement in international education
  • support post-graduate employment of international students
  • improve the quality of the international student experience
  • increase opportunities for students and academics to gain overseas experience.

In total around £1 million of Government funding has been provided to five projects over three years, ending in April 2011. This funding has been matched by the organisations involved to give an overall budget of around £2 million.

Work on the projects is overseen by members of the International Lifelong Learning Network.

The projects

Napier studentsThe Scottish Universities International Group is leading an international press campaign to promote Scottish higher education in India and China.

The National Union of Students in Scotland is leading on "Students Without Borders" which aims to support and encourage greater integration of international students with students in Scotland, helping enhance the international experience for them both. The project will also seek to support and encourage outward mobility of Scottish students.

The University of the West of Scotland is leading a three-year pilot aimed at increasing international collaboration between colleges and universities. It is designed to provide more opportunities for students to study in Scotland and more opportunities for Scottish students to study overseas.

Scotland's Colleges International is leading a project which aims to support a more strategic and proactive approach to international business development in the college sector.

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services is leading work to support the global employability of of students, by offering access to international employers through a series of virtual careers fairs focussed on selected countries and regions over the three-year period.

Page updated: Wednesday, July 8, 2009