University news

Six ambitious young Glasgow students are departing for the business opportunity of a lifetime as they fly out to spend the summer working for some of the world’s top corporations.

The Glasgow students are among 28 from across Scotland who have successfully secured a place on the prestigious SaltireFoundation’s 2008 International Undergraduate Internship Programme. 

The six Glasgow students (four of whom are pictured) will now spend eight weeks working at the following companies:

Christopher Mason, Anatomy, Genzyme (Boston, USA)
Leanne Sherry, Business and Management/Geography, Starwood Hotels
David Campbell, Economics, Wood Group
Grant Munro, Earth Science, Wood Group
Euan Robertson, Computing Science, Toshiba
Catriona Aitken, Public Policy, Jumeirah (Dubai)

Dr Archie Roy, Careers Adviser, University of Glasgow said: "The Careers Service is delighted with the success of the six University of Glasgow undergraduates who have won international summer internships with some leading global employers.

"In 2006-7, the University of Glasgow collaborated with the Saltire Foundation to develop a pilot of a new Scottish international undergraduate internship programme. This led to a small number of Glasgow undergraduates being placed in US organisations such as the InterAmerican Development Bank in Washington and Genzyme in Boston. This positive experience enabled the Saltire Foundation to enlarge the pilot. This year, the internship opportunities have opened out both geographically and in terms of industry sectors.

"During 2007-8, in a highly competitive selection and recruitment process, six more Glasgow undergraduates secured international internships.

"As well as benefiting the students, the vision of the Glasgow-Saltire partnership is to benefit undergraduate students throughout Scotland. This year, the success of the partnership has enabled five other Scottish universities to come on board. But the vision of the partnership is much bigger than that. It is intended that undergraduate students travelling abroad will act as ambassadors for Scottish businesses. In future, selected students will first network with local businesses so they can make links for Scotland and a relevant business sector when they are out on placement.

"The Careers Service extends an invitation to undergraduates moving in to third year to consider an international internship with the Saltire Foundation. The next Saltire “Roadshow” will visit Glasgow’s campus in November 2008."

The SaltireFoundation, spearheaded by economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, aims to generate a pipeline of confident, entrepreneurially-driven executives, ready to enhance Scotland’s commercial performance.

Irene Johnstone, director of global relations and international networks at Scottish Enterprise, commented: “We recognise that Scotland’s undergraduates are vital to the country’s future.  Our undergraduate internship programme offers students from Scottish universities the chance to experience life in some of the world’s top companies. By broadening horizons and opening doors, we encourage candidates to develop their confidence, skills and capacity to succeed.”

Launched at the end of 2007, the SaltireFoundation is backed and supported by Scotland’s International Advisory Board (IAB) and GlobalScot network which both comprise senior business figures who are Scots or have a strong affinity to Scotland.  IAB and GlobalScot members involved in the Foundation believe in investing in Scotland’s global relationships; accessing world class business knowledge and expertise and growing a resource to advance Scotland’s economic development.

Scottish Enterprise is providing three year transitional funding to The SaltireFoundation of up to £2.3million, which will allow the Foundation to establish a charitable status.  It is the intention for the SaltireFoundation’s programmes to become self-sufficient within a three year period, having leveraged in private sector funds.

Further information:
Martin Shannon, Senior Media Relations Officer
University of Glasgow Tel: 0141 330 8593

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First published: 16 July 2008