‘We want more Indian students in Scotland’

Michael Russell, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, is visiting India at a time when Europe is going through an economic crisis and, on the other hand, strict student visa rules are threatening UK universities. However, Russell’s agenda is clear — he wants more Indian students in Scottish universities. In a chat with FE’s Kirtika Suneja, he explains the reasons for doing so. Edited excerpts:

Scottish institutes have been partnering with Indian varsities very aggressively for the last few years. What is fuelling these collaborations?
Almost 95% of Scottish universities have collaborated with Indian institutes and we are focusing on India and China for higher education and, hence, encouraging Scottish institutions for partnerships. With globalisation of education, business education has become important in the global economy. In fact, the Scottish delegation to FICCI this year is the strongest ever. Of the total of 230,000 students in our universities, 3,185 are Indian students; thus, they make up just over 1%. However, it is worth noting that they make up 8% of international students and 14% of non-EU students. We want to increase the number of Indian students in Scotland.

How do you plan to achieve this?
There are three parts of education — drawing Indian students to Scotland, developing partnerships between institutions and producing different models in higher education by promoting high-level research. In fact, we have set up University of Strathclyde’s first overseas campus in Greater Noida near Delhi in partnership with infrastructure company SKIL. We will have more such long-term partnerships.

But constantly changing student visa rules in UK universities maybe a deterrent in achieving this …
We have opposed the visa regulations and are openly welcoming international students. We want internationalisation of Scottish education and, as a matter of fact, international students get us good business.

Besides partnerships, are Scottish universities also interested in setting up campuses in India, as is proposed in the Foreign Education Bill, or are mentoring the upcoming Innovation Universities?
We are interested in setting up new campuses — not only in India but elsewhere also. Mentoring the Innovation Universities is a good idea, especially in the areas of energy, liberal arts, creativity and teacher training.

Scotland has invested in research pools to encourage research. Where does India figure in the scheme of things?
Scotland and India have the potential to create research polls and over 150 million pounds have been invested in 11 research pooling investments. India is good for mechanical engineering and energy research.

What about promoting skills and training …
I am also looking after further education in Scotland that is developing the skills potential and encouraging the skills providers. We have a strong system of validation and credit framework. We are reforming the system of further education in Scotland by reducing the number of non-departmental public bodies.

Source: The Financial Express, November 14, 2011