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Since then the programme has gonefrom strength to strength in Scotland;it now hosts over 95 placements out ofIAESTE UK’s total of around 240. Scotlandhas only 10% of the UK’s population(roughly 5 million) but now hosts 40% ofthe IAESTE placements, which is a fantasticachievement!Why has it been such a success?- Local is always best!Scotland is a long way away fromLondon (even on the train it takes 5hours to get to Edinburgh and 8 to get toAberdeen!), so, having someone based inthe Edinburgh office meant that IAESTEUK could have a much bigger presence inScotland and they were much more easilyable to visit and meet with universities andemployers.In addition, for many employers(and for some students too) the idea ofparticipating in a programme run fromEdinburgh (the capital city of Scotland)was much more appealing than one runfrom London (the capital city of England).The relationships that we build withour employers in IAESTE worldwide areall-important in ensuring they continue tooffer placements year on year and thoserelationships, in Scotland, have beengrowing stronger and stronger.- Local Committees at last!IAESTE UK is fortunate enough to be aprofessionally run member of IAESTE withgovernment funding but until 2006 wewere never successful in setting up LocalCommittees of student volunteers.So, where better to begin the traditionthan in warm and welcoming Scotland? (adescription of the people, not necessarilythe weather!).The first LC to be set up was Glasgow,in 2006. Due to their success, other LocalCommittees in Edinburgh and Aberdeenhave sprung up and Belfast, in NorthernIreland, was soon following their model.They have then been able to benefitfrom the experience of other IAESTE LCsworldwide through attendance at JUMPand twinning with LCs in Norway andSwitzerland.The LCs add-value to the incomingexperience by acting as local guides andfriends, as well as organising events duringthe summer social programme, whichin turn gives the employers confidencein the service offered by IAESTE UK inScotland. They also add value to theoutgoing experience by offering themthe opportunity to improve their skills inmarketing, networking etc and, best of all,help the IAESTE name to grow.- Universities are the foundation!Did you know that Scotland’s academicsproduce 1 per cent of all researchpublications in the world – rankingScotland third in the world for the numberof research publications published perhead of population? Education in Scotlandis a high standard with 14 universitiesincluding the University of St. Andrewswhich is one of the oldest in the world,founded in 1410 (and it recently welcomedPrince William as one of its students).The support of Scotland’s universitiesfor IAESTE has been a foundation block inits success. Scottish universities offer over65% of the placements in Scotland. Wehave 70 placements in 39 departments at 9universities. This has largely been possibledue to the encouragement and foresightof university careers services, who see thebenefit for both their outgoing studentsand the departments hosting incominginternational trainees.The University of Strathclyde CareersService highlighted the programme tothe Deans of Science and Engineeringat the University, who now both fullyendorse the programme – as a result theUniversity of Strathclyde has been thebiggest UK employer in terms of numberof placements offered for the last 3 yearsin a row!- Employers are the key!And last but most definitely not least,Scotland’s industry has many strengths,so it has been important for us to harnessthese!Did you know that:- Renewable energy produces around13 per cent of electricity generated inScotland- The Scottish oil and gas industrysupports 100,000 jobs, active in more than40 countries worldwide- Electronics employs 43,000 people inScotland- Life Sciences in Scotland has hadannual GVA Growth Rates of four timesthe average growth rate of the Scottisheconomy- Scotland's aerospace industry has aturnover of £2.1 billion and is home toaround 10 per cent of the UK aerospaceindustry.The industry employers have beeninvaluable in the success of IAESTE inScotland. And long-term employers suchas Caledonian Alloys, Forest Research andCXR Biosciences, have been fundamentalto this.IAESTE UK, through the British Council,has honed the services it offers to IAESTEemployers; we organise visas, work permits,accommodation, a social programme, andtake care of all administration. As morecompanies hear about the services IAESTEUK offer and the quality of the incomingtrainees, more are keen to get involved.So, what impact has it had?IAESTE’s increased presence in Scotlandmeans that there are more placementsavailable within the UK and, as a result, inthe IAESTE “pot” available for exchange,helping IAESTE internationally. Theinternational trainees who completeplacements in Scotland will hopefully gaingreat work experience combined with agreater understanding of Scottish culture.So, Scotland has a lot to offer IAESTE butit also has a lot to gain: The Scottish scienceand engineering undergraduates whobenefit from placements abroad developprofessionally and personally, as well asgaining fantastic cultural insights; And theScottish employers who host placementsare able to attract talented and innovativetrainees, whilst internationalising theirbusinesses.IAESTE has reciprocal benefitsthroughout the world and Scotland is verypleased to be able to play an increasinglyactive part in that.reportIAESTE ANNUAL REVIEW 201031