International Exchange programme in Wales
The Turing Scheme that is going to be replacing Erasmus + in the UK has opened now for funding applications. The university study, school exchanges and work placements funded by the scheme will be available from September 2021.
The UK government highlights the scheme as an opportunity to target students from disadvantaged backgrounds and areas which did not previously have many students benefiting from Erasmus+”, as well as opening up the possibility for exchanges beyond Europe.
As the new programme only funds outbound students, the Welsh and Scottish government had been looking into the programme that could work for both in and outbound students. Following that the Welsh government has announced a new International Learning Exchange programme that will operate in addition to the Turing Scheme.
The scheme will enable students and staff across universities, further education, vocational training, adult education, youth work settings and schools to undertake a period of structured learning or work experience abroad, as well as enabling strategic partnerships. This mobility will be running from 2022 to 2026 with a supporting investment of £65 million from the Welsh Government and it will be available for participants from Wales and participant coming to Wales from abroad to study or work.
15,000 participants going on mobility exchange overseas and 10,000 participants coming to study or work in Wales will benefit from the scheme.
The importance of the reciprocity of the programme should help to increase the position of Wales as a welcoming place for students, opened for partnership internationally.
Kirsty Williams, the Education Minister, said: “Our students and staff are vital ambassadors for us overseas, promoting the message that Wales is an inviting destination for students and partners across the world, and their education and cultural awareness are improved in many ways as a result of spending time abroad – just as our education providers are enriched by students and staff visiting Wales to study and teach.”
She added: “By investing in this programme now, we are investing in a strong, international and prosperous future for all young people in Wales.”
Cardiff University will be working on the development of the programme over the next 12 months, together with an advisory board of stakeholders from across the education and youth sectors, with funded activities expected to get underway in 2022/3.
Professor Colin Riordan, the President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University said: “We are delighted to be entrusted with hosting and co-developing the new International Learning Exchange programme which secures the opportunity for global experiences for the next generation of students, across a wide range of learning settings. We are sure that the scheme will be of huge benefit both for the learners and for raising the global profile of Wales as a connected, open and inviting country.”
The Welsh government claims that they fill the gaps not covered by the Turing Scheme, including the funding, the two-way exchanges and the inclusion of youth work.
