Education Secretary Michael Russell will travel to Delhi and Kolkata next week with key education figures as team Scotland work to improve education links with India.

The itinerary features engagements to help strengthen Scottish universities links and take forward the Scottish Government’s India plan, building on the current market between the two countries which sees India ranked 25th among Scottish export territories and Indian investment in Scotland providing around 5,000 jobs.

The Education Secretary will also give a keynote address to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) conference of influential Indian business figures and open a new Scottish university campus in Greater Noida.

Mr Russell said, “One of the key aims of my visit is to build on existing co-operation and I will be visiting many of the institutions that are working with Scottish Universities and meeting with some of the key Indian business leaders who support this work.”, also adding, “Previous visits by the First Minister, myself and the Finance Secretary have developed important links in renewable energy, secured investment by Indian companies in Scotland and started combined work between Scottish and Indian Universities.”

The Scottish Delegation also includes Professor Dame Joan Stringer, Principal of Edinburgh Napier University and Chair of Universities Scotland’s International Committee, Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Glasgow University, Professor Pete Downes OBE, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Dundee University and Professor Petra Wend, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Queen Margaret University.

Live updates next week:
You can follow the progress of the India trip from 6 -13th on the ScotIndia page as well as updates via the @EngageForEd twitter (hashtag #ScotIndia11).

Related:
Scottish Government website – India Trip news release.