16 February 2006
`Scotland Alive’
Caird Hall, Dundee, 17th and 18th February 2006
(Friday 1 - 4 pm and Saturday 12 - 4 pm)
TV presenter Lorraine Kelly will welcome some of Dundee’s thousands of international students and their families to the Caird Hall this week for "Scotland Alive", a two-day event designed to show them that Scotland is the place where they can make their future.
Lorraine, Rector of the University of Dundee, will be joined by Lord Provost John Letford, Kate Maclean MSP and dozens of local businesses and organisations in showing off the best that Dundee and Scotland have to offer international students as they look beyond graduation.
The event - which takes place on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February - is being staged as part of the Scottish Executive’s Fresh Talent Initiative, which encourages people to consider living and working in Scotland. It has been organised by the Student Advisory Service at the University of Dundee in collaboration with the University of Abertay and Dundee College, and funded by the Scottish Executive.
"Scotland Alive" presents an opportunity for international students to learn about Scotland and Scottish life, potential employment opportunities plus work shadowing schemes, as well as support available for those intending to establish themselves in business.
Irene Donaldson, head of the Student Advisory Service at the University of Dundee, said, "There are thousands of students from outside the UK who come to study in Dundee every year and it would be a huge boost for the city and for Scotland if we can persuade them that there is a successful life available to them here after they finish their studies."
"This event is also a chance for local people to enjoy a real feast of entertainment from all around the world."
James Nicholson, Head of Student Services at Abertay University, said, "Scotland Alive is a key component of the wide-ranging programme of activities we have put together with colleagues from Dundee University and Dundee College under the Fresh Talent Challenge Fund."
"Any dynamic economy needs a constant influx of new talent and energy through people coming from all over the world to live and work in it. Fresh Talent is proving very effective in this for the benefit of Dundee and Scotland as a whole, and activities such as Scotland Alive will sustain that very well."
These sentiments were echoed at Dundee College. "Dundee has become a remarkably cosmopolitan city, attracting visitors from all over the world," said Ms Leslie Dick, assistant principal of the college.
"This event will help illustrate the huge number of opportunities that now exist in Scotland - both for home-grown talent and for those bringing their skills from overseas."
Informal talks led by graduates from the Universities of Dundee and Abertay will take place over both afternoons of the event. These are professionals who will be reflecting on their experiences of studying, working, and living in Scotland. It is anticipated these talks will be of particular interest to international students currently studying in the city who are already showing an interest in seeking employment here when their studies are over.
The programme includes plenty of entertainment, including dazzling choreography and performances by students from the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance at Dundee College on Friday. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy performances from a diverse group of students who have committed themselves to years of gruelling artistic and academic work, under the direction of Peter Royston.
Saturday’s programme includes Scottish musicians and classical singers as well as an exciting range of dance including Highland, Bollywood, Vietnamese, Greek and Pop/Street . Many of the performers are children and international students.
The University of Abertay Pipe Band will also be performing in City Square, and the Wave 102FM Roadshow will also be present.
There will also an opportunity to do some shopping as there is a range of multi-cultural craft stalls offering everything from handmade soaps to henna art.
The event will be officially opened by Lorraine Kelly, Lord Provost John Letford and Kate Maclean MSP. Everyone is welcome and entry is FREE.
Further information, including details of the programme and other events being organised throughout the year in connection with the Fresh Talent Initiative, is available at www.freshtalentdundee.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Student Advisory Service at the University of Dundee, along with colleagues at the University of Abertay and Dundee College, was recently successful in a bid to the Challenge Fund, which is part of the Scottish Executive’s Fresh Talent Initiative.
The three institutions £48,500 to help support international students during their studies in Scotland and help them make decisions about whether to stay on in the country at the end of their courses. The award represented the highest of 12 awards from the Fund, which is supported by £300,000 of Executive funding.
For more information contact:
Roddy Isles
Head of Press
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
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