THE Scottish government has appointed Professor Rachel Sandison as the new international trade and investment envoy responsible for promoting Scotland’s academic institutions. Professor Sandison will work on setting up links with universities abroad, encourage foreign investment in Scottish universities’ research and help attract more international students and staff.

Business Minister Richard Lochhead made the announcement ahead of a visit to Shanghai’s China-UK Low-Carbon College, a joint initiative between the University of Edinburgh and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

“As our new Trade and Investment Envoy for International Education, Rachel will champion Scotland’s academic institutions and the innovative contributions they are making in fields as diverse as artificial intelligence, art and tackling climate change. She will help attract investment and encourage the brightest students and leading researchers to study, live and work in Scotland, contributing to the economy,” said Lochhead.

Sandison is Deputy Vice Chancellor for External Engagement and Vice-Principal for External Relations at the University of Glasgow.

“I am delighted to have been appointed to this exciting role. It is a pivotal time for the Scottish education sector, with an opportunity to further strengthen Scotland’s reputation as an education powerhouse through the development and delivery of the Scottish Government’s new International Education Strategy,” Sandison said.

“Global connectivity is more important than ever before and I look forward to helping connect Scotland’s further and higher education institutions with international organisations, governments and opportunities in support of Scotland’s strategic objectives,” she added.