We must fight to stay in crucial Erasmus exchange scheme - Angus Robertson

Edinburgh is world class university city with an international pedigree of global standing.

Terry Reintke from the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance studied in Edinburgh thanks to Erasmus

Scotland’s capital boast six universities, some ancient some modern, all maintaining the highest standards of education from the University of Edinburgh, to Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University, the Royal College of Surgeons and Scotland's Rural College.

All of Edinburgh’s universities are internationally oriented, with staff and students from around the world.

Edinburgh University alone has had over 400 exchange places for students from partner universities across Europe through the Erasmus exchange scheme of the European Union. In total about 2,000 students have benefited every year from the experience and more than 12,000 EU students have studied in Scotland as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

Students at Edinburgh University pre-Covid-19.

Amongst those continental students was Terry Reintke from the Free University of Berlin.

Recounting her experience she says: “It’s been almost 12 years now, but the year in Edinburgh really shaped my whole life since then. I can never give back what this time has given to me. But I can promise to always remember it and try my best to be a good friend - to Edinburgh, Scotland and also the UK”.

The German political studies graduate continued: “And even though I really thought I was well-prepared, arriving in Edinburgh...it completely took my breath away. The views, the buildings, the parks, the Castle, the light, everything. It is just so absolutely beautiful. I was truly starstruck."

Twelve years on from Terry’s positive experience, the UK government has scrapped the Erasmus programme following Brexit despite the wishes of the Scottish Government to stay and the offer of the European Union to continue as part of the successful scheme. Now efforts have been launched to protect the place of Edinburgh and other Scottish places of learning in the Erasmus programme, led by none other Terry Reintke who is a young and influential Green member of the European Parliament.

Together with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister, former Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski and a quarter of all MEPs they are asking the European Commission to find ways to continue Scottish and Welsh participation in Erasmus. Their efforts have been welcomed by Scottish Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead and Edinburgh SNP MSPs Ben McPherson, Ash Denham and Gordon MacDonald. We have yet to hear from Edinburgh’s Tory, Labour and Lib Dem constituency MSPs on the subject which is odd given the support of European Conservatives, Social Democrats and Liberals. Hopefully they will belatedly join the campaign to protect Edinburgh’s place in Erasmus.

They should listen to Terry Reintke: “There are millions of Erasmus stories - some similar to mine, some completely different. Because it is much more than an academic programme. It funds youth organisations, vocational experiences, all kinds of exchanges, support for disadvantaged youth. It’s simply still a great idea”.

Over the next seven years the budget of the Erasmus scheme is proposed to rise to €30 billion, tripling the number of participants and improving access for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It would be hugely advantageous for Scotland to continue as part of the scheme. Hopefully with cross-party support university students from Edinburgh will soon be able to continue in the Erasmus exchange and continental students come to learn and enjoy their studies in the Scottish capital.