Following last week’s Joint Economic Trade Conference, Prime Minister David Cameron announced the IU’s Science without Borders UK programme now included English courses of three and six months for students to improve their English language skills in advance of their course of study, plus additional funding for PhD students from 2013. This will significantly increase the scheme’s value to the UK higher education sector from £180 million to over £200 million.
Brazil is the fourth largest economy in the world and is pursuing such programmes to improve the intellectual capital of its developing workforce. Science without Borders UK is the first large scale student mobility programme operated in the UK with Science, Technology, Engineering, Health and Sustainability as priority fields.
Joanna Newman, Director of the IU, comments: “By offering intensive English language training we aim to attract further talented students to study under the Science without Borders UK scheme. Brazil is a priority country for the UK higher education sector and there are significant opportunities for both countries to develop a long-term relationship. UK higher education offers world-leading research capability as well as the diversity and range of courses, skills and expertise to ensure successful collaborations can flourish between its institutions and counterparts in Brazil.”
Partner Neil Burton advised the IU with support from partners Kevin Calder and Gary Attle, alongside solicitor Toby Smith.
Neil added: "We are delighted to have been able to support the IU on this exciting project which draws upon our experience of international collaborative activities in the higher education sector.”
The IU represents all UK higher education institutions internationally. It is a central observatory, intelligence and delivery unit on HE internationalisation and policy development for UK higher education institutions.
For further information contact:
Neil Burton, Partner, Mills & Reeve
Tel: 01223 222455
neil.burton@mills-reeve.com
Hayley London, Marketing Communication Executive, Mills & Reeve
Tel: 01603 6283438
hayley.london@mills-reeve.com