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
On Saturday the Parliament hosted the Modern Studies Association Annual Conference 2019, hosted by The Deputy Presiding Officer, Christine Grahame MSP.
Part of the day included presenting an SQA Advance Higher Award and SQA Higher Awards for the most outstanding students in the country. Continue reading Parliament celebrates Edinburgh students awarded top marks in Modern Studies
Autumn is a time when many of us seek the comforts of home as an escape from the colder darker days and, with The Great British Bake Off on TV, many feel inspired to try their hands at baking. Continue reading The rise of baking: why cooking sweet treats is ever popular
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.
Edinburgh College is hosting a Course Clearing Event this week to provide support and guidance to young people following SQA exam results day.
The event is aimed at helping anyone who has received their results to work out what they want to do next and discover the right college course for them. Continue reading Edinburgh College course clearing event on Thursday
Largest ever study into Enduro rider injuries
Study finds Enduro is safer than other mountain biking disciplines
Edinburgh Napier University and the Enduro World Series have shared the results of their ground-breaking study into Enduro mountain biking rider injuries. Continue reading Ground-breaking study into Enduro mountain biking injuries
Youth work which helps young people play a part in Scotland’s economic prosperity has been unrecognised and underfunded, a new study has found.
Researchers also called for the younger generation to be given a greater voice in framing the policies which govern their role in society. Continue reading Give young people a voice and a role, say researchers
Applications open today for the Churchill Fellowships, a life-changing opportunity for UK citizens to research new ideas worldwide and make change happen in their communities and sectors when they come home.
Fellowships are offered in a range of practical subjects, from healthcare to education, social enterprise to rural living. These are open to all UK citizens, and will fund them to travel for 4-8 weeks anywhere in the world seeking out the best ideas and practice to be found anywhere in the world.
This year three new Fellowship categories will explore new ideas for improving palliative and end of life care, encouraging physical activity, and using the arts to enhance the built environment.
Churchill Fellowships are travel grants that fund dedicated and dynamic individuals to research innovative ideas and best practice overseas, then bring their global insights back to the UK and make change happen in their professions and communities. They are awarded to people from all parts of UK society, regardless of age, qualifications or background.
Julia Weston, Chief Executive of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, said: “A Churchill Fellowship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore new ideas globally and make a difference with them back home.
“We are funding Fellowships to find inspiration from the world’s best projects and practice across a range of practical issues, including three new categories that reflect some of the biggest challenges facing the UK today. We hope that anyone with real passion for a cause will seize this opportunity to find solutions.”
Past Fellow Retta Bowen, a child psychotherapist from London who research approaches to working with children affected by substance misuse, said: “My trip was one of the best experiences of my life and changed my relationship to learning and innovation forever.”
12 award categories are offered, addressing current challenges facing the UK:
Applications in the 12 subjects are open from 16 May at www.wcmt.org.uk.
With exam season upon us, students have been urged to swap a diet of quick, cheap eats for nutritious meals to boost brain power when hitting the books. Continue reading Brain-boosting snacks for students
A national study, which is a world first, is aiming to find out whether it’s possible to measure the importance of a funeral in the grieving process – and anyone who has organised or attended a funeral at any time is being urged to participate. Continue reading Bereaved participants wanted for world’s first study into how funerals aid the grieving process
