Connected Scotland partners, Scottish higher education leaders and the Scottish Government Minister for Further Education, Higher Education & Science Richard Lochhead are in Germany this week to promote Scotland and develop strong partnerships with institutions and business in Europe and Germany as part of the British Council’s Going Global conference.
A delegation from twelve Scottish universities and Connected Scotland partners will be in Berlin to promote and strengthen collaboration between Scotland and key partners in Germany.
Across the four days of conference and specifically on Thursday 16 May events, Connected Scotland, Scottish universities alongside key partners, will be highlighting the opportunities to strengthen research and innovation relationships between Germany and Scotland, developing high-tech partnerships and providing a networking reception for Scottish university alumni in Berlin.
Professor Pamela Gillies, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Glasgow Caledonian University, who is a speaker at a session on Scotland in Europe at Going Global said:
“Regardless of what is happening with Brexit, Going Global provides a great opportunity to demonstrate that Scottish universities are open for business and committed to working with our partners in Germany and the rest of Europe.
“We are pleased to have the Minister for Higher Education join us for part of the conference, demonstrating the shared ambition of universities and the Scottish Government to promote our nation as one of the best higher education sectors in the world.
“As a nation, Scotland has tremendous strength in our higher education sector. Our research is second to none and our educational partnerships are growing stronger. We want to see more collaborative work on business and social innovations as well as ensuring our students can thrive in student exchange programmes such as Erasmus+.
“Along with other university leaders, I’m looking forward to deepening our existing relationships and creating new ones over the week.”
Minister for Further and Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead said:
“Research and innovation at Scottish universities is already cutting edge and international collaboration is key to this success.
“We have a lot to offer, particularly in areas like data, drug discovery and renewable energy that can have a truly global impact. That is why we want to encourage stronger ties with Germany who are our biggest research and innovation partner in Europe under the Horizon 2020 programme.
“It is also extremely encouraging that more students from Germany than any other EU country are choosing to study in Scotland, bringing with them economic and cultural benefits, and we want to ensure that both countries continue to benefit from this exchange.”