Scottish Education Exchange Programme - Test and Learn: funded projects

The  Scottish Education Exchange Programme's Test and Learn project  supports Scottish colleges, universities and Community Learning and Development providers to develop stronger international partnerships. The following is a list of projects funded under the programme in 2025 to 2026. 

Aberdeenshire Council Community Learning and Development Service

Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Learning Exchange

The Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Learning Exchange will build an international partnership between Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development Service and Inspire Nyeri, a community based literacies organisation in Kenya. Through virtual collaboration and an exchange visit, the project will enable staff to learn from innovative, community led literacy approaches used in Nyeri. Insights will inform the co development of inclusive, sustainable and outcome focused literacies models for use in Aberdeenshire. The project will strengthen professional learning, enhance local literacies provision, reduce stigma around literacies learning, and create a framework for future international exchange, benefitting learners, families, and communities in both regions.

Abertay University

From Campuses to Collaborations: Elevating TNE Through Research and Knowledge Exchange Synergies

Abertay University is enhancing its global engagement by expanding partnerships in Central Asia and North Africa. As part of this initiative, a delegation of academic staff will visit MDIS campuses in Tashkent and Dushanbe to strengthen collaboration, promote academic exchange, and explore joint business opportunities. The delegation will also visit Tashenev University in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, to assess the potential for a new academic partnership. Additionally, Abertay will explore transnational education (TNE) opportunities in North Africa, aiming to broaden its international footprint and build long-term, impactful relationships with institutions across these strategically important regions.

Ayrshire College

Scotland and Scandinavia Wind Energy and Power Transmission (SSWEPT) Project

The SSWEPT project seeks SEEP Test & Learn funding to lay pathways for the development of a skilled workforce for Ayrshire and Scotland's growing wind power and HVDC cable manufacturing industries. It will address critical skills gaps by focusing on partnership development with leading Scandinavian countries. The programme will establish formal collaborations, benchmark best practices in training and curriculum design, and facilitate educator exchanges. The ultimate aim is to create a robust pipeline of qualified professionals in Scotland, accelerating green energy development, fostering economic growth, and enhancing Scotland's global competitiveness by leveraging proven international models. 

City of Glasgow College

Global Entrepreneurship & Neurodiversity Education (GENE) Programme

Our Global Entrepreneurship & Neurodiversity Education Programme will support enterprising and inclusivity-focused TVET colleges in Scotland, Asia, and Africa to deepen their knowledge and adopt innovative approaches to entrepreneurship and neurodiversity education. Building on the successful outcomes of the 2025 GEEN Programme, COGC will launch a staff mobility project that will strengthen its international partnerships. This initiative will also harness the expertise of leading educators and practitioners who will focus on business start-up, company creation, and the inclusion of neurodiverse learners in college settings, enhancing COGC’s future global engagement and commitment to inclusive and entrepreneurial education.

Dundee City Council and Dundee and Angus College

A Path to Learning for All: Building a Cohesive Post-16 Learning System through CLD-Informed Exchange with Irish ETBs

The project supports a Dundee CLD leadership exchange with the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board. It explores how Ireland’s Education and Training Boards support inclusive post-16 learning. The visit aims to deepen understanding of how community based provision, accredited and non accredited routes, and strong partnership models can improve access, social mobility, and lifelong learning. By examining approaches across centres, programmes, and learner support systems, the project seeks insights to strengthen Dundee’s post 16 learning system by developing an inclusive, learner centred, evidence driven community learning offer aligned with national priorities. A Dundee practice sharing event will disseminate learning to partners.

Edinburgh College

Developing Vocational Learning Partnerships in the GCC (with focus in the UAE, Oman, Qatar)

This project would encompass a scoping, developmental visit by one member of Edinburgh College’s International Team to the GCC region of the Middle East. Edinburgh College has prospective working partners in the UAE, Oman and Qatar and has identified connection points for vocational partnerships relating to vocational education development projects, along with staff and student development and mobilities. This visit would facilitate in-depth face to face discussions with these potential partners, strengthening our initial contact relationships and exploring avenues for further collaborative activity, as well as enabling the prospective meeting of other new partners in-country to drive additional business.

Developing Vocational Learning Partnerships in Europe (with focus on Germany and the Netherlands)

This project would encompass a scoping, developmental visit by one member of Edinburgh College’s International Team to northern Europe.  Edinburgh College has previous and prospective working partners in Germany and the Netherlands. These are connection points for vocational partnerships relating to vocational education development projects, along with staff and student development and mobilities. This visit would facilitate in-depth face to face discussions with these potential partners, strengthening our previous or initial contact relationships and exploring avenues for further collaborative activity, as well as enabling the prospective meeting of other new partners in-country to drive additional business.

Forth Valley College

Curriculum Futures: International Collaboration for Scotland's Prosperity

FVC will collaborate with Zhongyuan University of Technology (China) and Akureyri Comprehensive College (Iceland) to explore future-focused curriculum design, inspired by the Scottish Government’s “Entrepreneurial Campus” report. The project will address global themes of entrepreneurship, AI, sustainability and innovation through staff mobility, curriculum co-design and cross-border learner engagement. It aims to build capacity across teaching and support services while showcasing Scotland’s education sector internationally. Key outputs include joint student-led projects, sharing good practice and testing scalable approaches. This initiative supports FVC’s long-term international collaboration and knowledge exchange ambitions, aligned with Scotland’s International Education Strategy.

Glasgow Caledonian University

Enhancing partnerships in Southeast Asia: fostering international research and education collaborations

This cross-university international project will support academic staff, from all three Schools at GCU, to travel to three of our partner universities in Southeast Asia.  Through a competitive process, staff will be selected to align with the expertise in our partnering institutions. Following several online preparation sessions, prior to the visits in February 2026, academic staff will meet with research groups to explore joint funding applications; deliver lectures and run seminar classes with students at our partner institutions; work with teaching staff to foster joint educational projects and articulation pathways; and promote Scotland as an opportunity for post-graduate study.

Glasgow Clyde College

Literacy for Life: Unlocking Potential

The project is seeking to achieve an increase in the levels of literacy in Scotland by building on examples of good practice in other countries with high levels of literacy, and to develop an easy, cost-effective diagnostic and e-learning tool which can be used across Scotland’s colleges, local authorities and adult learning settings. 

Learning from Denmark: A Model for Innovation

The project summary is to foster an exchange of best practices in Denmark, focusing on the robust integration of entrepreneurship within vocational and higher education systems. By promoting innovative teaching methods and entrepreneurial thinking, the initiative seeks to enhance the quality and relevance of education. It encourages collaboration between institutions, educators, and industry professionals to develop curricula that equip students with practical skills and entrepreneurial mindsets. This approach supports economic growth and prepares learners for dynamic labour markets. The project also emphasizes cross-border learning and knowledge sharing to strengthen educational frameworks and drive sustainable development across Europe.

Glasgow Kelvin College

Knowledge Exchange in Health and Social Care

This project supports the strengthening of Glasgow Kelvin College’s links and relationships with European partners. It will continue the work that was undertaken  in 24/25. It requests support for activities that the UK Government’s Turing Scheme does not support: that is, staff mobility and short period student mobility.

Heriot-Watt University

South America Connect – Building Argentina-Scotland Partnerships

This project will allow for the development and launch of collaborative TNE, staff and student mobility programming and collaborative research and industrial engagement between Heriot-Watt University and two leading Argentinian Universities (Universidad de San Andrés and Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires).  All partners recognise that their aligned approaches and priorities to teaching and research and relevant academic expertise across subject areas will make the project a success. The chosen subject areas for collaboration align to institutional and national priorities across both nations and are chosen to allow for a programme of industrial engagement to be developed during the project. 

Highland Council

Learner Voice In Highland

A research and development project exploring international good practice in community-based adult learning (CBAL) learner voice initiatives. A cohort of 12 adult learning practitioners and Learning Leaders from Highland travelled to the Aontas Summit in Dublin to learn about learner voice structures in Ireland. Thereafter, learning from the experience will be applied to the redevelopment of learner voice work in Highland communities.

New College Lanarkshire

Preparing Pathways for Extending Student Mobility and Re-Commencing Staff Mobility in a Post Brexit Context

To follow-up on actions identified in last year’s successful Test and Learn project that will enhance and extend mobility experiences for vocational and higher education students at NCL. A series of outgoing staff mobilities to partner institutions in Europe, Brazil, and  Canada will identify relevant and more focused work placement and educational experiences in host countries for future outward student mobilities; visit and safety check accommodation in host countries for future outgoing student mobilities; and identify learning and development opportunities for NCL staff accompanying outward student mobilities to incorporate institutional learning from international comparators at NCL.

North Lanarkshire Council – Community Learning & Development Team

Strengthening Adult Literacy and Numeracy in North Lanarkshire: Learning from Ireland’s Best Practice

This application requests funding for a professional knowledge exchange visit to Ireland involving eight North Lanarkshire participants—staff, volunteers, and learners engaged in adult literacy and numeracy. The visit aims to learn from Ireland’s successful adult literacy approaches, particularly their innovative awareness raising campaigns, to help address declining participation in Scotland. Insights gained will support the recommendations of the Independent Review of CLD, strengthening system-wide learning and partnership working. The project directly aligns with Scotland’s Adult Learning Strategy by promoting inclusive, learner centred practice, improving access to literacies provision, and enhancing the profile and impact of adult learning across communities.

Queen Margaret University

Short Term Student Mobility Experience

Short term student mobility trip to Athens to experience international education, exploration of sustainability and development of staff and student partnership/relationship building.

Robert Gordon University

Global Academic Exchange: Advancing Knowledge Through International Collaboration

This project will support outbound staff mobilities from Robert Gordon University to partner institutions across six countries, fostering international collaboration in architecture, art and design, business, computing, engineering, law, and education.  Activities will include joint curriculum development, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), research planning, and the development of student exchange opportunities, and these visits will provide the opportunity for face-to-face discussions with current and prospective partners.  The project aligns with Scotland’s International Education Strategy by strengthening global partnerships, enhancing employability, and promoting inclusive, sustainable education.  Outcomes will include new exchange agreements, co-designed modules, and expanded transnational education (TNE) provision.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Development of links with Queensland Ballet and Queensland Ballet Academy

A visit to Queensland Ballet (QB) and Queensland Ballet Academy (Brisbane) by the Head of the School of Dance and three students from the BA Modern Ballet programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The students and staff member will spend 10 days studying at QB, participating in classes, observing rehearsals and teaching and sharing knowledge and approaches to training/assessment with equivalent staff and students.

South Lanarkshire College - on behalf of CLIC Partnership

Exploring European Comparators in Digital Innovation

Since 2024, the six colleges in Glasgow City Region (GCR) have collaborated to implement a successful project aimed at building innovation capacity among SMEs in the eight local authorities in GCR. The proposed project will adopt a cross-sectoral collaboration with Strathclyde University to visit five other organisations in Europe which have innovation districts to share, learn and draw from experiences in digital innovation and capacity building. The lessons learned will help the college sector explore how it may develop a distinct role in creating local innovation hubs, supporting businesses to enhance their innovation capabilities to drive innovation adoption and diffusion.

St Andrews - Scottish Arctic Network

Strengthening Scottish Arctic Connections

Our project will enhance the visibility and reputation of the Scottish Arctic Network (ScAN) and its member institutions, nationally and internationally, through the establishment of an Arctic Travel and Partnerships Fund, enabling Early Career Researchers from across Scotland to participate in Arctic-related events internationally on a competitive basis. In addition, the project will allow ScAN to host key international Arctic contacts at our annual meeting in March 2026, providing an opportunity for broader engagement in Scotland. This event would focus on showcasing Scottish research, building further Arctic links, working collaboratively.

St. Paul's Youth Forum

Learning from the Past to Flourish in the Future: Glasgow–Berlin Youth Exchange

This project will support 20 young peer leaders from North East Glasgow to take part in a five-day learning exchange in Berlin, in partnership with HEROES Berlin. Participants are active peer mentors who deliver the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme across school and community settings. The exchange will explore historical and contemporary responses to hate, violence, and far-right extremism, and how youth-led, peer-education approaches can prevent harm. Through shared workshops and dialogue, young people will strengthen leadership, critical thinking, and allyship skills, and in return, they will embed learning within local MVP delivery to support safer, more inclusive communities.

UHI Shetland

Northern Connections: Engaging young people in rural Arctic societies in building sustainability across borders

This transdisciplinary project proposes to bring researchers together from universities in Norway, Finland, and Shetland to work with young people from remote and rural schools through arts, technology and science-based activities, online and in real life. It will encourage young people to engage with each other across political and cultural borders to discover they face many of the same challenges in tackling the climate emergency. The project integrates art and science through collaboration and creative engagement that will expand international partnerships, develop professional skills, enhance employability and support sustainability, social inclusion, and well-being.

University of Aberdeen

Learning from and implementing international approaches to mentoring, to enhance the practices of teacher educators in Scottish schools

This cross-sector project involves international knowledge exchange and research. This will be achieved by Scottish teachers and university tutors observing and learning from approaches to the mentoring and professional development of school-based teacher educators in the Netherlands. These approaches will then be adapted, contextualised and utilised within primary and secondary schools in Scotland, to identify any possible benefits to students, school-based teacher educators, university-based teacher educators and collaborative practices. Central to the study is the role of collaboration—between schools and universities, and among educators across international contexts—as a means of enhancing the experience of student teachers.

University of Strathclyde

Inclusive Futures: Learning from UCC to enhance Disability Support within Strathclyde Careers Service

By sharing our own experiences within our Careers Service with University College Cork (UCC), we hope to gain insight into how they support autistic students to have successful graduate outcomes in employment. This will inform our own practice as our pilot work experience programme for autistic students develops. Further benefits will be to learn more about wider UCC Autism initiatives that include a toolkit for autistic students that equips them with an understanding of university and what to expect. We will also share Strathclyde’s forthcoming guide for disabled graduates, which UCC are keen to discuss.

West College Scotland

COVE Connect: Tknika - Learning from Tknika to develop a Centre of Vocational Excellence at AMIDS

COVE Connect: Tknika, will support a study visit to Tknika, the Basque Country’s internationally recognised centre for innovation in vocational education. It will provide insights into advanced approaches to skills development, curriculum design, and digital transformation. Building on this, we will co-develop a pilot curriculum module tailored to Glasgow City Region’s needs. The project will strengthen international partnerships, support the AMIDS Skills Group’s priorities around innovation and productivity, and contribute to Scotland’s International Education Strategy. By learning from a European leader in VET, West College Scotland will enhance its regional impact and help prepare learners for the future of work.

Eureka! Innovation Ambassadors Programme

The Eureka! Ambassadors Programme will build innovation leadership at West College Scotland through a three-day immersive experience at Eureka! Ranch in the U.S. Participants will complete an Innovation Culture Assessment, receive training in innovation tools and mindset, and collaborate with U.S. colleges.  Senior leaders will develop an Innovation Skills Prospectus and business case to embed sustained innovation across West College Scotland.  The programme supports strategic goals of institutional transformation and economic growth in key sectors, with a focus on leadership development to build internal capacity, enhance commercialisation, and strengthen industry engagement.

West Lothian College

A rights-based approach to play based and sustainable pedagogy in early childhood education (ages 3–7)

The focus of the proposed project is to explore and share best practices in “A rights-based approach to play based and sustainable pedagogy in early childhood education (ages 3–7)’’. This student exchange research project aims to foster collaboration between early years educators, students, and researchers from West Lothian, Scotland and Hochsauerlandkreis, Germany. The project will study how a rights-based approach is introduced and developed within early years curriculums and educational practices in both countries. This project will allow partner institutions to build on findings from recent successful research projects and continue to develop a robust education exchange programme.

YMCA

Youth Leadership Through International Camp Exchange

This project supports Scottish youth leaders and youth workers to participate in an international camp-based leadership exchange with YMCA USA at the North East Camp Conference. Through immersive residential learning, participants will develop leadership, facilitation and intercultural skills informed by established YMCA camp models and global best practice. Learning will contribute to the reintroduction of inclusive YMCA residential camping in Scotland and be shared through peer-led workshops and national dissemination. The project builds on international learning networks, including camp leadership practice shared through forums such as the North East YMCA Camp Conference (NEYCC), and supports Scotland’s International Education Strategy by strengthening global partnerships and workforce capacity.

YouthLink Scotland

Unlock Youth Exchange: Bavaria-Scotland partner finding and training seminar for youth exchange with under-represented groups

A seminar in Germany for youth workers from Scotland and Germany, working predominantly with young people experiencing disadvantage or marginalisation, to build capacity to deliver youth exchanges.

The project includes the experience of an international exchange, training in how to go about youth exchange, with a focus on underrepresented groups, an opportunity to meet international partners and opportunities to understand funding sources and how to apply for them.

The aim of the project is to have onwards impact, to grow the potential for more international youth exchanges available to young people experiencing inequality and poverty in the coming years.