Education, Universities and Research

Knowledge is power

Education for children has been compulsory in Scotland since 1496. Consequently the number of Scots of working class origin who have risen to make significant contributions in literature, philosophy, medicine, finance, law, engineering and countless other fields has always been hugely disproportionate for a country of Scotland's size.

The key to this has always been Scotland's universities and further education institutions. Whether they be centuries old – or born comparatively recentl – the facts speak for themselves: with just 9% of the UK's population, Scotland wins 13% of government research grants, and 12% of eligible EU funding: small wonder that English royalty have often travelled to Scotland for their education! (Prince William at St. Andrews being just the most recent example.)

Better living through technology

World-class universities and research facilities have helped to place Scotland at the forefront of the dynamic biotechnology industry, an area where Scotland is growing 30% faster than the rest of Europe. Consider some of the success stories to have sprung from our universities in recent years: Diagnostic Potentials Ltd, a spin-out project from Glasgow University, received a Scottish Council award for their pioneering work in improving the diagnosis of Alzheimers disease, while Dundee University is a key player in diabetes research and the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen is a world leader in obesity research.

On a slightly different tack, Scotland achieved another educational breakthrough when Abertay University became the first university in the world to offer taught courses in computer games programming, further cementing Scotland's already impressive presence in the international games development industry.

The next generation

Another of Scotland's universities, Stirling, recently played host to a unique educational gathering. The World Youth Congress; a series of symposiums designed to bring together the best and brightest young people in the world so that they can share their skills and expertise with a view to reducing poverty, ignorance and suffering around the world.

Over six hundred young people from around the world came to Stirling to attend the first WYC to be held in Europe. Young people like Ryan Hrelijac – who was only six when his teacher told him children were dying in Africa because they had no drinking water. Eight years on – and still aged only 14 – the organisation Ryan established, Ryan's Well Foundation, has raised over $500,000 and helped to build hundreds of wells in Africa.

It is perhaps appropriate that a country with a proud record of philanthropy – a country like Scotland – should have played host to such young people. . . .