Educational cooperation agreement signed with Massachusetts State

Government Educational links between Scotland and the USA have been strengthened recently after Education Secretary Michael Russell signed a co-operation agreement with State of Massachusetts Secretary of Education, Paul Reveille.

Mr Reville, Mr Russell and UMass Boston Chancellor Keith Motley

The agreement recognises the Scottish Government’s commitment to attract more international students to Scotland and to encourage strategic links and partnerships between Scottish schools, colleges and universities and their American counterparts.

The signing took place on the 21st September at the University of Massachusetts Boston which has already established a partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell said:

“Scotland has always had strong educational links with the USA and today’s signing of an agreement with the Massachusetts State Government further builds on this positive relationship. The increasing flow of American students to Scotland brings real economic benefits in terms of the spend of students, their friends and relatives who visit them and of course the business links that are developed between institutions.

“The Scottish Government is actively promoting Scottish education in the USA. We provide funding for scholars from Canada and the USA to study at Masters level in Scotland and specific funding for the promotion of Scottish universities by the North American Recruitment Group. We will continue to market Scotland and our global excellence in education at home and abroad.”

Professor Pamela Gillies Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University said:

“At Glasgow Caledonian University we see the benefits of bringing a strong international dimension into our activities to deliver academic and economic growth and have pursued this in a way that is aligned with our mission, vision and values.

“Our partnership with the world class University of Massachusetts in Boston (UMB) and its feeder college Bunker Hill Community College delivers a new way to internationalise higher education and business connections. The programme involves science and technology internships with industry in the USA and Scotland and shares experience in different university laboratories throughout the students learning experience. Both GCU and UMB are strongly committed to attracting and nurturing students from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances and delivering talented global graduates with exactly the science and technology skill set that our regional and international industries need.”

The agreement can be viewed in PDF format here: Agreement (9-20-2010)