The University of Glasgow is one of just six universities invited to join a steering group to address obstacles to student mobility across the UK. Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts asked for the group to be set up to develop a UK-wide strategy to encourage and support UK students to make mobility an integral part of their university experience. Dr Chris Yeomans (Deputy Director - International Affairs), represented GU at the final meeting of the group last week, and recommendations are to be submitted to the UK government early next month. Glasgow is at the forefront of discussions in this area within Scotland and across the UK, and is doing exciting work to ensure that every Glasgow student should be able to have an international experience if they want one.

The move is part of a growing recognition that international mobility improves academic performance, cultural understanding, and long-term employability in an increasingly competitive international labour market. While other countries have long had strategies and national agencies in place to promote mobility of their students, the UK ranks just 25th in the world for the proportion of students opting to study abroad. Germany's Academic Exchange Service, for example, promotes the outward mobility of German students, to which it allocates upwards of Euro 70 million annually.

For further information, contact Chris Yeomans at chris.yeomans@glasgow.ac.uk

First published: 19 October 2012

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