Listen
Fulbright Commission
15/01/2009
The US-UK Fulbright Commission is to receive £180,000 from the Scottish Government to enable it to expand its academic exchange activities in Scotland and further the education links between this country and the USA.
Formed in 1948, the Commission helps foster cultural and education links between the UK and US through international exchange programmes involving post-graduate students, academics and professionals.
In addition to the funding to help extend this work, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, has also announced the appointment of Dr Janet Lowe to the Commission - a successor to the current Scottish member, Sir Andrew Cubie, who retires from the organisation today.
Ms Hyslop said:
"The Scottish Government is determined to create a self-confident, outward looking Scotland and to increase the skills of our people to help the nation emerge strongly from the current economic downturn.
"The US-UK Fulbright Commission has a key role to play in supporting that by promoting the educational links between Scotland and the USA and offering grants for students, academics and professionals to undertake exchange opportunities to enrich their knowledge and skills.
"The funding we have announced today - £60,000 a year for three years - will help extend the programme and enable more individuals from Scotland to take part. It will improve the universal employability of participants from Scotland while also enabling home institutions and employers to benefit from skills and knowledge of those returning from overseas or those visiting Scotland on an exchange.
"I am also delighted today to announce the appointment of Dr Janet Lowe as the new Commissioner to the US-UK Fulbright Commission. She brings with her a range of expertise which will help with the development of the Fulbright programme in Scotland. I would also like to thank the outgoing Scottish commissioner, Sir Andrew Cubie, for his contribution to the Commission's work during the past five years."
Penny Egan, Executive Director of the Commission said:
"We are so pleased, in our 60th anniversary year, to be working more closely with the Scottish Government to strengthen the opportunities for academic exchange with the USA. As Senator Fulbright said of the programme 'Our future is not in the stars but in our minds and hearts'. Creative leadership and liberal education, which in fact go together, are the first requirements for a hopeful future for humankind. Fostering these - leadership, learning, and empathy between cultures -- was and remains the purpose of the international scholarship program."
The Fulbright programme provides grants for international educational exchanges involving scholars, educators, graduate students and professionals. It was founded by US Senator J. William Fulbright and now operates in 144 countries, with 51 commissions.
The US-UK Fulbright Commission was created by treaty in 1948 and aims to offer qualified UK and US nationals an opportunity to exchange knowledge and educational experience. It offers a number of awards for study at postgraduate level which are available on a competitive basis both to enable UK students to study in the US and US students to study in the UK. It is intended that research from educational placements should be able to be used in practical ways to solve problems and further developments in each society. Since 1948, approximately 12,300 UK nationals and 9,900 US nationals have received awards.
The Commission's main funding sources are the British, Scottish and American governments. Businesses in both the UK and the US are also able to sponsor grantees through a Fulbright charitable Foundation. The Scottish Government has committed funding of £60,000 a year for three years starting with financial year 2008-09 and the UK Government's allocation, through DIUS, is £544,904. Other income comprises grants from educational institutions, charities, the corporate sector and the US Embassy in London.
In the 2008-09 academic year, more than 60 students, researchers and lecturers will receive awards in more than 20 categories. This represents a major expansion in the total number of Fulbright scholarships during the last year. Next year, 18 new partnership awards will come on stream. Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities are each sponsoring a post-graduate award and Glasgow School of Art is pioneering a new Distinguished Chair Award. In addition, Aberdeen University will be offering up to three fee-waivers for incoming US scholars.
In the Fulbright Fellowship category starting next autumn, the Scottish Police will be supporting two police candidates to spend time researching good practice in the USA.
Fulbright Commissioners, who each serve for a three year term, come together in a high level steering group which informs the organisation's activity and strategic direction. Members are selected by US/UK/Scottish Government from all sectors and are asked to provide their services on a voluntary basis.