Scottish Government

Attendees

Tariq Durrani, Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

Stuart Forsyth, University of Glasgow

Liz Speake, British Council Scotland (BCS)

Catherine Thwaites, National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland

Jamie Allan, British Council Scotland (BCS)

Russell Gunson, National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland

James Anderson, Scottish Development International (SDI)

Steve Gallagher University of the West of Scotland (UWS)

George MacPherson, Scottish Government (SG)

Derek Smeall, Cumbernauld College

Christine Hamilton-Rice, Scottish Government (SG)

Lorraine Glen, Scotland's Colleges (SC)

Lindsay Galbraith, Scottish Government (SG)

Ray Harris, Scotland's Colleges (SC)

Alex Young, Scottish Government (SG)

Sandra Gunn, Glasgow Metropolitan College

Ulrike Peter, Universities Scotland (US)

Linda Murdoch, Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Scotland

Ed Nash, University of Edinburgh

Dora Long, Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Scotland

Apologies

Dominic Scott, UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)

Carol Booth, Scotland's Colleges (SC)

Stuart Fancey, Scottish Funding Council (SFC)

Mark Newlands, Scottish Development International (SDI)

Bill Harvey, Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Scotland

Julia Amour, British Council Scotland (BCS)

Lesley Joyce, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

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Welcome and Introductions

Tariq introduced himself as the Chair of the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) panel and refreshed the group on the original aims and criteria of the Strategic Investment Fund

Main Discussion

University of the West of Scotland- International Lifelong Learning Project

Steve updated the group on the NUS Scotland project progress:

• The international partnership co-ordinator has moved on and they are working to fill the post.
• Project Management Group has met three times since last November
• Operational Team has been set up
• The project has focused on marketing for the past few months visiting several areas and activities are planned for the future in a variety of different markets using agents where appropriate.
• There are only 13 applications at the moment which is particularly low.
• Press market activity in India and Pakistan.
• There are ongoing activities on an inward approach.
• The price students had to pay reduced significantly - £4.5k. It is harder to get promoted by agents though as they get less commission when costs are less. Perhaps a blanket approach is not sustainable?
• There was a slight under spend for the year 2009/10

Comments from the ILL - Strategic Investment Fund panel:

• Tariq asked about the attraction of the project

Ø Universities and colleges collaborating and harmonising.

Ø A transitional model had been developed with Stow College which allows mathematical requirements to be filled.

• Ray asked what is being marketed. He commented that the four years to postgraduate is the USP and asked if it holds the key to attracting people.

Ø A publication has been developed and circulated, however it needs updating. They are actively promoting the ability to get a postgraduate and masters in four years.

Ø Aim is to attract degree students and the focus is on offering an affordable degree. This shows prospective students another route.

• Additional bursaries are also offered - £21k for an Arts degree and £23 for Science and Engineering degrees.
• Alex acknowledged the T4 issues and asked if discussions had been had with colleges as to how long they will fund if numbers of applications are still low and it is running at cost.

Ø Colleges recognise the investment of the project and that the set up costs would be high.

• Alex further commented that just reporting against numbers is not the only measure of success for this project.

In summing up:

• Tariq summed up by stating that getting full time colleague in place is crucial and the next operational meeting is in June.
• Ray asked how many courses are for this group.
• Liz said they are collaborating with the Scottish Universities International Group (SUIG) and COMMA to overcome the India agent risk.
• Derek said they are looking at other methods to tie into the market such as schools.

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SCI- Allies Project

Lorraine updated us on the project progress:

• 19 colleges from 43 have engaged in the project (not all have linkage to the areas covered).
• The project constitutes a key sector approach to International engagement - Oil & Gas, Life Sciences, Creative Industries and Hospitality & Tourism.
• Price and costing guidance has been developed.
• The Hospitality & Tourism group are now focusing on two areas only (hospitality management and Chef).
• Looking at taking on projects that would be too big for one college to take on alone. Also the OPITO « Heriot Watt University route.
• Life Sciences are now at the last stage. They have developed a business marketing model and are just waiting on information coming back.
• A quality framework has also been developed - how to deliver International Business.
• Colleges want to go out and identify opportunities at the moment.
• Adam Smith College has linkage with an oil company in Kazakhstan

Risks

· Colleges are reducing non core costs and this is likely to have an impact on staff resource available to undertake business development activity

· Currently looking for corporate clients and educational partnerships but development funds for this are limited.

· Maintaining momentum - looking at a targeted mission in June.

Sustainability

• There is a key sector model for colleges that incorporates an agreed approach to collaborative business projects and supporting marketing materials. The groups are looking at funding to continue collaborative business development activity beyond the end of the project and are identifying networks to house the collaborative international business agenda thereafter.

Comments from the ILL - Strategic Investment Fund panel:

• Tariq asked about sustainability and the next steps.

Ø Relationships have been built and that some colleges have business links already. They have asked other sectors/Working Groups to identify potential education contacts, training contacts and business contacts. Also working with SDI and BCS.

• James commented that sustainability could be whether colleges buy into this as a preferred operating or business model. Pursuit of business model leads.

Ø Ray talked about sustainability and the use of infrastructure to move onto other business areas outwith the four groups in place.

• Tariq asked about marketing.

Ø Ray said that the team will make decisions depending on the subject.

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AGCAS- Scotland Virtual Careers Fair (VCF) Project

Linda updated the group on the project progress:

• The next VCF event is October this year. An Asia event will possibly be run in January 2011 - there is a trip in June to determine whether it would be better to tag this onto the October event.

Issues

• The software problems detailed in the main report should be sorted for October.
• Timing of events is an issue. Students finish their course in September but recruiting is done in October which means some new graduates once recruited are waiting up to a year to start work. They are negotiating with employers about the recruiting cycle to make it more adaptable for postgraduate students at Scottish Universities.
• The suitability of vacancies is also an issue with vacancies not being for the postgraduate market (do not have a lot of work experience). It is a varied market.
• Ageism and gender issues whereby other countries do not have laws protecting against discrimination, this could potentially impact on the credibility of the project.
• There is a need for more companies on the database. Have approached SDI and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to enquire about this.

Sustainability

• There is a possibility of companies sponsoring the project.

Comments from the ILL - Strategic Investment Fund panel:

• Tariq asked if any students can take part and also enquired about the method.

Ø Any students can take part and live chats are offered every morning during the fairs themselves.

• Tariq also asked how contacts are found and who is involved.

Ø Through AGCAS, BCS, and visits to countries by both Linda Murdoch and Jim Campbell

Ø Mainly international students but home students can get involved and they are also encouraging domestic students to do so.

• Tariq asked how this is publicised

Ø Through Alumni, BCS, Prospects and the SUIG media project.

• Tariq queried that employers are only satisfied with 50% of applicants but further commented that the numbers of students getting jobs via this tool is good for marketing. Linda explained that with future fairs the team would attempt to get feedback form graduates who got jobs via the virtual fairs.

Ø It was explained that the low satisfaction rate is often hard to meet expectations of graduates had studied in the west (salaries etc).

Ø In October 2010 they will survey those participating; this is for better quality control.

• Ed added that this would be a useful tool for Scottish institutions as a whole as it is modern and job focused.
• James clarified that it was due to confidentiality issues with companies that SDI were prevented from sharing certain information. Companies do not want market activity known until they are ready which means SDI cannot act as a broker.

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SUIG- International Communications Campaign (India and China)

Ed updated us on the progress of the international Communications Campaign:

• Jenny Fernandes is now on maternity leave.
• Page 3 of the bi-annual report provides an estimate of advertising costs.
• There have been various successes such as participating in events, Scotland's Saltire Scholarships (SSS) promotion and collaborating with other projects. Training has also been provided on International Officers safety abroad.
• A deliverables list is at the back of the report. Most refer to specific Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and some to Scotland as a whole. These show that recruitment levels have increased.
• There are challenges in that some HEIs contribute less, but outcomes are to be equally spread and promotion is to be equal. As the year has moved on the buy in has increased therefore the second year will hopefully have a more even spread of coverage.

Sustainability

• Issues of indirect benefit. HEI spending does not have a direct cost benefit. There is a need to approach principals to take this into the future and there is a question as to whether all will take part.

Comments from the ILL - Strategic Investment Fund panel:

• Tariq asked about Education UK Scotland (EdUKS) handling of the project in the second year

Ø Cost effective and an appearance of fairness to HEIs, some HEIs were contributing more than others.

Ø Liz added that this was the result of discussions and it was one of a variety of options. It was the preference of the HEIs themselves.

Ø Liz also added that Glasgow is now doing the India operational which is new.

Ø International recruitment officers are tying up with communications and press, they now need to tie in with academics in order to move forward.

• Tariq asked how themes are decided.

Ø By consultation with the agency.

• Ray asked whether one can measure the impact over and above what is being done already and how many did the project initiate.

Ø Can cross reference with themes.

• Steve asked what sort of monetary contribution would be looked for from HEIs in order to continue

Ø £10/12k minimum

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NUS Scotland- Students Without Borders

Catherine updated the group on the project progress:

• Mike Heffron has been replaced as project researcher by Helen O'Shea. Russell Gunson has responsibility for the overall delivery of the project, with Catherine Thwaites responsible for the day to day running of the project.
• Mapping project is completed, the research findings published in May 2010.
• There is an International Network which is something for the International Officers to automatically engage with when elected.
• There are quality agreements for International students.

Comments from the ILL - Strategic Investment Fund panel:

· Tariq queried the benefits for students.

Ø The research is the main output for that, agreements between the HEIs on how to treat International students and build on collaborating with other SIF projects.

Ø Internalising your student unions tool is a mechanism for Student Unions to share best practice. She cited Strathclyde University buddy scheme as an example.

· Ray added that it is important that it is integrated with the work of Sparqs. There are challenges with colleges and their president set up, it is important to integrate and be part of the institution especially where International student numbers are low in some colleges.

· Alex commented that students need to be able to benefit in all ways not just in classroom.

Final Summary

• Tariq summarised each projects progress to date
• Lindsay advised that an advert has been placed for someone to evaluate the projects and would be in touch in due course.
• Lindsay further advised that she would circulate the minutes before publishing to the Scottish Government's website.

A date for the next meeting will be circulated in due course.

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