Tag: learning

Tory Erasmus “sell-out” to impact on 3,484 students in Edinburgh

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald has warned that thousands of university students in Edinburgh could lose out on the opportunity to study abroad – after the UK Tory government pulled support for the Erasmus last week.

New figures from the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (SPICe), show that, between 2014/15 and 2017/18, 3,484 students from the city’s higher education institutions studied abroad through the Erasmus+ programme.

With Boris Johnson’s Tory government choosing to vote against continued membership of Erasmus+ remaining part of negotiations with the EU, Gordon MacDonald MSP has claimed that the same number of students could now miss out over the next four years if Scotland is blocked from the programme.

The Erasmus+ scheme aims to promote and modernise education, training, youth work and sport across Europe, and gives students from a variety of backgrounds the opportunity to live, work and study in other European countries.

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald said: “The Erasmus programme has been hugely valuable to our city’s universities and students over the years, so it’s saddening the Tories have decided to sell out and pull support for the programme. 

“Our students here in Edinburgh have benefitted massively from the opportunity to take a year abroad in Europe, giving them the chance to experience new cultures and ways of learning.

“Of course our city’s culture is also richer thanks to students from the continent coming to spend time in our world-class universities, contributing to our economy and society in the process.

“My message to Edinburgh’s students is this – don’t let Boris Johnson cut you off from the world. It’s time to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands so we can build a fairer, more outward looking nation at the heart of Europe. It’s time for independence.”

Figures from SPICe: (erasmusplus.org.uk/statistics)

  • Glasgow 2014/15 – 2017/18: 3,647 outgoing students
    • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – 49
    • Glasgow Caledonian University – 545
    • Glasgow School of Art – 214
    • Glasgow University – 1426
    • Strathclyde University – 1413
  • Edinburgh 2014/15 – 2017/18: 3,484 outgoing students
    • Napier University – 472
    • Heriot Watt University – 692
    • Queen Margaret University – 27
    • Edinburgh University – 2293
  • Aberdeen 2014/15 – 2017/18: 1,367 outgoing students
    • Robert Gordon University – 628

Aberdeen University – 739

Jobs for life are a thing of the past

A job for life is a thing of the past, a new survey had revealed, with people now moving job roles more frequently than ever before.

In Scotland, 64 per cent of those surveyed agreed that a job for life was something they no longer expected, with only 15 per cent in the region having stayed working in a role for more than 10 years. Continue reading Jobs for life are a thing of the past

Housebuilder Supports STEM Curriculum at Pirniehall

Award-winning housebuilder Urban Union is fostering STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent among primary pupils in north Edinburgh by running a competition designed to test innovation and creativity.

The competition with Pirniehall Primary, which is located less than a mile from Urban Union and the city council’s Pennywell Living development, saw primary 4 – 7 pupils create house models from scratch using woodwork skills.

24 Pupils picked up awards for their efforts in architectural design, property layout and execution of the marketing brochure.

Ross Neilson, STEM coordinator at Pirniehall Primary School said: “Working with Urban Union on this competition has been a fantastic way to bring the lessons the children have learnt in class to life.

“Through building the wooden models of their house designs, the pupils have learned how to safely cut with saws, measure accurately and glue their structures together. They also learned how to sell these designs, creating architectural drawings and marketing materials for brochures.

“The team at Urban Union came in to give a presentation and provide further insight into the construction industry, demonstrating to pupils how the skills they are learning in class translate into working life.”

STEM is a curriculum which groups subjects science, technology, engineering and maths together, teaching them in an interdisciplinary and applied approach rather than as four separate subjects.

Lauren Jenkins, Architect at Barton Willmore said: “It has been a great experience working with the pupils of Pirniehall Primary School – the work that the children put in was incredible and some of the designs were really incredible. 

“It was a particularly special activity for me to support – while at primary school I took part in a similar workshop and the experience and learnings I took from it inspired me to go on to train to become an architect.  I hope that we’ve managed to inspire future generations of architects from the work we’ve carried out at Pirniehall.”

Neil McKay, Managing Director at Urban Union said: “At Urban Union we are always looking for ways to engage with the schools, be that through sponsorships, donations or with a more hands on approach like this competition.

“It has been rewarding to see the amazing designs of the pupils at Pirniehall Primary. Working with the school to help give context to its STEM curriculum has been a remarkable experience and one that we hope to replicate.

“Huge congratulations to all of the winners today. We have seen some amazing talent and there is certainly a bright future ahead for the pupils at Pirniehall Primary.”

Pennywell living is part of a housing-led regeneration programme being delivered through a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and Urban Union.  It is located only two miles from Edinburgh City Centre and is in the catchment area of a number of great local primary and secondary schools.

The development is in prime position to make the most of the many shops, bars and restaurants the capital has to offer and has a wealth of useful amenities in the area, making it perfect for young professionals and families.

To find out more about the houses on offer at Pennywell Living, visit: www.urbanunionltd.co.uk/pennywell-living

Paramedic degree programme set to boost patient care

A degree that enhances patient care and boosts training opportunities for budding Paramedics will be delivered at five different universities across Scotland, it was announced this week. Continue reading Paramedic degree programme set to boost patient care

Making Connections course: tomorrow it’s Welfare

Hi folks,
See below for details of the Making Connections course running at the Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
This Tuesday we are looking at welfare;: where it is going and how we can tackle poverty by legislation.
Come along – all welcome!
Willie Black

Scottish students gain STEM Skills Experience with TCS’ Digital Explorers

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organisation, announced that it engaged more than 900 Scottish pupils from over 20 schools in Lothians, Central, Strathclyde and Fife, in its renowned Digital Explorers Programme.

At the event, students aged 11-18, were joined by a host of volunteers from TCS and Lloyds Banking Group, as well as special guest, Minister for Public Finance & Digital Economy and MSP, Kate Forbes. Continue reading Scottish students gain STEM Skills Experience with TCS’ Digital Explorers