Jackie Long Social Affairs Editor and Presenter
Vivienne Stern is director of Universities UK International, which represents the international arm for Universities UK, a body funded by its member vice-chancellors to support the international interests of their respective institutions.
STUDENTS and researchers from Winchester University are taking part in a virtual cultural exchange programme with a university in India. Around 30 undergraduate students from Winchester and Amity University in New Delhi, studying on business management courses are partners in the project, which aims to enhance understanding of the ongoing challenges and issues around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) each country faces. The exchange - which is taking place online because of the global coronavirus pandemic - will help students understand and appreciate how different philosophical positions influence and inspire action for SDGs. The emphasis is on comparing and contrasting the UK and India through a mix of interactive lectures, workshops, seminars and discussions in January and February.
UK to stay in Horizon Europe but drop out of Erasmus+
United Kingdom and European universities welcomed the UK’s decision to participate in the European Union’s €95.5 billion (US$117.3 billion) research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, which was clarified by the terms of the recently announced future trade and cooperation agreement between the UK and the European Union.
But they voiced deep disappointment at the decision to drop out of Erasmus+, the student and academic staff study abroad and mobility programme.
UK students will no longer be able to study at a European university with an Erasmus+ grant from 1 January, and European students will not be supported by Erasmus+ to study in UK universities either.
Comment It seems unlikely that the UK Government will let Scots students stay part of any scheme which could be positive for confidence building and opportunity SCOTLAND is currently moving from the third phase of grieving for the loss of our EU status into the fourth and final stage. Feelings of sadness, anger and despair, so typical of this third phase, seemed to be epitomised in the news this past Christmas weekend that now the UK has struck a deal with Europe, we will no longer be part of Erasmus+, the EU student exchange programme which started back in 1987. As the full meaning of the inadequate Brexit deal became apparent, including axing Erasmus+ for a new British version of the scheme, students, academics, apprentices and workers from all walks of life mourned the loss.
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On 24 December, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a Brexit deal that would preserve access to several European research programs. Paul Grover AP
Brexit deal secures U.K. access to European research funds
Dec. 28, 2020 , 4:10 PM
U.K. researchers will remain eligible for European research funding despite the country having left the European Union, thanks to a long-term trade and cooperation agreement struck on 24 December.
The deal was reached after negotiators finally agreed on fishing rights, which had stalled negotiations, and most of its 1246 pages set out the principles of the U.K.-EU relationship from January 2021 onward. But the deal and its accompanying declarations contain key passages about research: In exchange for a contribution to the EU budget, the United Kingdom will join the forthcoming Horizon Europe research program, which will spend €85 billion over the next 7 years.