The Scottish and Welsh Governments have raised serious concerns about the impact of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit on the popular Europe-wide international student exchange program Erasmus+.
In a letter to Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson, Scottish Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead and Welsh Education Minister Kirsty Williams have argued the case for continued participation in the exchange programme.
They say leaving the EU without a deal – and without the UK Government reaching an alternative Third Country agreement or other arrangement – would see universities, colleges, and schools across the UK ineligible to submit applications to participate in the final year of the current Erasmus+ programme in 2020.
Between 2014 and 2018, more than 15,000 students and staff from Scotland reaped the benefits of the EU-led scheme, which allows funded temporary study overseas as part of the their Scottish courses.
Mr Lochhead said: “Thousands of Scottish students benefit from Erasmus+ yearly, proportionally more than from any other country in the UK. The Scottish and Welsh Governments are clear that we must remain a full participant in Erasmus+.
“I am also alarmed to hear the UK Department for Education could be considering an Erasmus+ replacement programme for England only – with potentially no consequential funding for Devolved Administrations (DAs) to put in place their own arrangements. That’s why we have written to the UK Government calling for urgent action and assurances that Scottish students won’t miss out.
“It is the Scottish Government’s preference to remain in the EU, but in the event of a damaging ‘no-deal’ Brexit, students could now see the door to this fantastic cultural and educational exchange slammed shut.
“It is unacceptable that with less than 12 weeks left until the UK Government plans to take the United Kingdom out of the EU without an agreement in place, there is still no plan for alternative arrangements.”
The results of the impact studies show Erasmus+ significantly benefits students’ career prospects and personal development. The programme can act as a guide for students to discover what they want to do after their studies – making for a happier career; Erasmus+ has also been shown to drive innovation and social inclusion in higher education.
Every year, more than 300,000 students study or train under the Erasmus+ umbrella – over five million students have directly benefitted since the launch of the programme in 1987. The Higher Education Impact study found that 80 percent of Erasmus+ graduates are employed within three months of graduation, with 72 percent stating their Erasmus+ experience helped them land their first job. Nearly half of Erasmus+ trainees were offered a job in the company where they trained.
More than two-thirds of Erasmus+ students and trainees gained new insight about their career choices through studying or training abroad. This added awareness has allowed students to better orient their studies and training to match their career ambitions – leading to both happier careers and expanded professional opportunities.
The studies have also highlighted how Erasmus+ builds a sense of European identity and social cohesion. 90 percent of Erasmus+ students feel the programme has improved their ability to collaborate with people from different cultures, and are more positive about the role of the EU in society.
Erasmus+ mobility also supports the growth of innovative learning and teaching practices – as well as the expanded use digital technologies. Nearly 80 percent of academics reported their experience abroad has led to the development of more modern and innovative teaching practices and curricula in their faculties.
The impact study on Erasmus+ Higher Education Strategic Partnerships and Knowledge Alliances found that Erasmus+ has spurred equality in education – with nearly two-thirds of universities stating projects under Erasmus+ have increased social inclusion and non-discrimination in higher education.
Cooperation projects under Erasmus+ have also allowed students, higher education staff and other stakeholders to develop vital innovation and business skills. Over one in four projects under Erasmus+ contribute to strengthening entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurship – with nearly a third of these projects resulting in start-ups and spin-off enterprises.
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Pilton CAB, based at Drylaw Shopping Centre, closed last September.
Underbelly sold-out the McEwan Hall on Monday, raising a grand total of £41,055.00 through its third annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit. Continue reading Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit raises £41,055 for The Brain Tumour Charity
A record number of children have benefitted from holiday activities and nutritious meals while schools are shut. With Edinburgh pupils going back to school today, national charity Cash For Kids expect to provide activities to more than 61,000 children, up from the 37,000 children supported last year.
National charity Cash for Kids received £250,000 to fund a range of community groups offering holiday programmes, linking up with local authority activity across Scotland.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell visited Milton Holiday Hub in Invergordon, which provides one-stop access to childcare, activities, healthy food and family support. It is part of a pilot scheme to widen access to children in rural locations.
Highland Council and third sector partners received £43,000 Scottish Government funding to run the hub five days a week over the summer holidays, providing childcare as well as activities, meals and wider family support.
Ms Campbell said: “School holidays should be a time for fun and excitement for children, but for some families it brings financial pressures, particularly due to UK Government welfare cuts and austerity. We want to ensure that families who need additional support have access to a place where their children can go and receive a healthy meal and take part in fun activities.
“The partnership with local authorities and the third sector is key to tackling food insecurity and child poverty. This is a priority for this government and we are ensuring that those most in need receive the right support.
“We also recognise that there are specific barriers to accessing support in rural communities which we’re overcoming with the Milton Holiday Hub this summer. This helps ensure those communities are able to still receive support while the local school is closed.”
The Scottish Government has focused £2 million from the £3.5 million Fair Food Fund specifically on school holidays, with £692,000 awarded for 2019-20 to support families send their children to a holiday club scheme.
Continue reading Record numbers access increased school holiday support
Continue reading Shucking Heck – We’re Back for a Third Year!
Scotland Office Minister Robin Walker was given a tour of Heriot-Watt University’s world leading robotics facilities as he discussed progress on the creation of a National Robotarium yesterday. Continue reading Government Minister for Scotland visits Edinburgh robotics centre
ESPC has announced that their charity partner for the upcoming year is Fresh Start, the North Edinburgh based organisation helping people who have been homeless get established in their new home.
They work with volunteers and organisations from across the local community to deliver a range of services that provide the practical and social support that help people resettle successfully. Each year they help thousands of new tenants settle into their homes.
Paul Hilton, CEO of ESPC, said: “We are really excited to be working with Fresh Start over the next year. The service they provide to the local community is fantastic. The whole team will get involved with volunteering and fundraising to help Fresh Start provide support to the thousands of new tenants they help settle into homes every year.”
Fresh Start’s Jen McQuistan said: “We are absolutely delighted to be selected as ESPC’s chosen charity for 2019/20. As a small local charity, the fundraising they’ll be doing throughout the year and the awareness raised will make a big difference to the people Fresh Start support.
“The ESPC team have already started planning some exciting fundraising events and we also hope to get them involved in Starter Pack collections and possibly some volunteering days throughout the year, so it is already set to be a successful partnership.
“All of this support will allow us to raise awareness of the issues surrounding homelessness and help fund direct service costs that help some of the most vulnerable people across Edinburgh.
“Through ESPC’s help we can make a real difference to those affected by homelessness and provide them with the social and practical support they need to move forward with their lives.”
