International Education Strategy Governance Group minutes: March 2026

Attendees and apologies

• (Chair) Ben Macpherson MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education
• Andy Witty, Colleges Scotland
• Carla Gethin, International Committee, College Development Network
• Claire De Braekeleer, British Council
• Professor Neville Wylie, Connected Scotland
• Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Universities Scotland, International Network
• Sir Steve Smith, UK Government International Education Champion
• Professor Rachel Sandison, Trade and Investment Envoy for International Education
• Adam Reid, Scottish Government
• Dr David Donaldson, Universities Scotland
• Harish Lokhun, British Council
• Sarah Chidgey, UK Government, Department for Business and Trade
• Mashalle Asim, UK Government, Department for Education
• Ahmed Arain, UK Government, Department for Education
• Frank Moeschler, Scottish Government
• Tim Bisset, Scottish Government

Apologies

• Professor Nick Forsyth, Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee, Universities Scotland
• Gareth Williams, Prosper
• Ela Kossakowska, Connected Scotland

Items and actions

Welcome and apologies

The Minister for Higher and Further Education extended a welcome to members to the eighth meeting of this group noting it also takes place prior to the upcoming election.

The Minister highlighted that:

Officials will circulate a draft of the 2025/26 International Education Strategy (IES) Annual Report. The report will highlight continued sector collaboration across the strategy’s three themes, as well as key challenges, including: 

• ongoing UK Government immigration restrictions impacting international students, graduates, and institutions
• geopolitical challenges, including the conflict in the Middle East

An Erasmus+ update will be provided in today’s meeting with contributions from Scottish Government (SG) Brussels Office and the International Higher Education (IHE) Team who are leading on engagement with the Department for Education.

The Minister emphasised interest in sector readiness for applications and how government can support preparations.

The Minister wishes to seek views on a proposal to provide a more strategic approach to the global engagement which our organisations undertake. 
Noting that the Commonwealth Games and the European Association of International Education Conference are both being held in Glasgow this year.

Minutes of last meeting and actions 

The Chair noted there were a small number of outstanding actions and invited updates.

Action – Colleges Scotland: Communications team has made contact with the Brand Scotland marketing network covering all colleges (completed).

Action – British Council: Will share a presentation/intelligence update on the Central Asia market with the group. A briefing with country teams will be scheduled closer to the Going Global conference in the autumn (action to remain open).

Members agreed accuracy of the minutes of last meeting.

Erasmus+ update

Scottish Government update

The Minister invited Frank Moeschler (Scottish Government) and Dehra Macdonald (Scottish Government) to provide an update on Erasmus+ and the Scottish Education Exchange Programme (SEEP).

The UK–EU agreement on Erasmus+ was reached in principle in December 2025 with positive feedback received from EU institutions and all member states.  No significant issues were identified.

Both sides expect the UK to be associated with Erasmus+ for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) period (2028-34).  This expectation is explicitly referenced within the agreement text.

SG officials highlighted key dates for the Erasmus+ timeline and committed to circulating them to members after the meeting.

Concerns were noted regarding European Universities Initiative Alliances funding in 2026; the commission is exploring options for possible support.

Scottish Education Exchange Programme (SEEP) update

Scottish Government officials provided an update on ongoing work related to the Scottish Education Exchange Programme (SEEP).  A detailed proposal for SEEP 2026–27 funding is currently being drafted with input from colleges and universities, and will be submitted to the Minister.

Officials summarised the 4 options under consideration for SEEP.  Priority remains on ensuring Scotland’s sectors are well positioned to take advantage of Erasmus+ opportunities. 

British Council update

The Minister invited Harish Lokhun (British Council) and Claire De Braekeleer, (British Council) to provide an update.  British Council confirmed that discussions are underway with the Department of Education (DfE) regarding the Erasmus+ National Agency. There has not yet been an announcement. 

Discussion points

It was highlighted that sector discussions have focused heavily on mobility, but Erasmus+ has 3 Key Actions covering mobility, strategic partnership and policy – all of which support the  International Education Strategy (IES) ambitions. 

The group noted the importance of being able to demonstrate impact quickly to the UK Government to support future participation in the 2028–34 Framework Programme whilst acknowledging existing local-level discussions on how best to support both Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) colleagues to submit competitive Erasmus+ bids.

Colleges Scotland noted growing sector-wide interest in international engagement since the latest International Education Strategy and confirmed that Erasmus+ opportunities align well with this trajectory.

There is strong support for SEEP benefits, in particular the college sector, but concerns were raised about potential duplication of Erasmus+ activities. There was the suggestion that SEEP should focus on mobility as a transitional measure, with a clear timeline to move towards full participation in the Erasmus+ larger funding pot.

Noted concerns regarding reduced Scottish presence at major international events (for example, National Association of Foreign Student Advisers - NAFSA), underscoring the value of reputation focused funding.

Discussions across UK and EU tables remain active.  More detailed options and positions will be consolidated and shared with the Minister in due course.

Global Engagement - Roadmap 

The Minister invited David Donaldson (Universities Scotland) to introduce the paper on the proposed Global Engagement Roadmap which has been developed with several IES partners, outlining its key proposals.

Initial concept began as a Transnational Education (TNE) roadmap, but evolved into a broader partnerships-focused approach to include research, mobility and non TNE collaborations.

TNE remains a priority for Scottish universities and continues to grow, but lags behind UK-wide growth.  Scotland’s participation in Horizon Europe Pillar 2 remains limited; concerns raised about UK participation in future framework programmes.

Highlighted importance of Erasmus+, with EU Commission emphasising expanded partnership opportunities and need for improved coordination and collective strategic direction.

The roadmap covered to areas a) consolidating the global HE/FE offer and communicating this to key stakeholders, empowering them to promote Scottish HE/FE and b) a quarterly strategic forum that brings together key organisations and relevant Scottish Government directorates to co-develop and design strategic engagement opportunities.

Discussion points

The group was supportive.  A lighter, more frequent (monthly) group rather than heavier quarterly structure to support fast moving international engagement was suggested.  It was noted that the group would provide a structure for prioritising and activating stakeholders around engagement opportunities with limited timeframes.

Highlighted existing placeholder event at the Commonwealth Games for HE/FE; suggested using the Games as an early test of coordination.  Group emphasised importance of building online momentum around in person events, especially the Commonwealth Games.

International Education Champion update

The Minister invited Sir Steve Smith to provide an update on his work as the UK Government’s International Education Champion and the revised UK Government’s International Education Strategy (IES) review.

A summary was provided of recent activity related to international education including a roundtable in January with the President of Indonesia attended by a small group of UK universities; Scotland represented by the University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee and the University of Glasgow.  Indonesia intends to establish 10 new campuses, with close ongoing engagement between the President’s Office, the British Council, and the UK team.

Newly published IES is supported by Department for Education (DfE), Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

It contains three aims: 

• strengthening the UK’s global standing through education
• sustainable recruitment of high-quality international students
• collectively grow education exports to £40 billion per year by 2030

Implementation will be overseen by a new ministerially chaired Education Sector Action Group, including devolved nation representatives.

A new sector-led promotional brochure aligned with the IES will be published shortly; thanks given to the Scottish Government for contributions.

Sir Steve confirmed his reappointment to autumn next year.

Reiterated that the UK strategy includes a clear message welcoming high-quality international students, with no cap on numbers.

Discussion points

Some members raised concern over the direction of travel of the Home Secretary’s new visa brake policy, expressing concern about indications that further countries might be added.

Sir Steve noted that a small number of institutions are responsible for disproportionate compliance issues (example, asylum claims) and that further measures may be introduced unless compliance issues reduce.

Noted similar patterns in Australia, where sector-wide measures are being triggered by the actions of a small subset of institutions.

Agreed that better communication of high compliance levels across much of the sector would be beneficial.

Any other business

Date of next meeting: Wednesday, 17 June 2026 (10:00-12:00) – In Person meeting, British Council office, Edinburgh.

Minister thanked everyone for their attendance and participation and reiterated looking forward to working with the group.

Actions

• Minister asked for a timeline for the proposed Global Engagement Roadmap. Suggested using major events (example, Commonwealth Games, Glasgow EAIE conference in autumn) as focus points
• Erasmus+ timeline to be shared with members
• letter and response from the Minister to the Scotland Office regarding immigration issues; be circulated to the full group