THE European Movement in Scotland has called for the Scottish Government to continue funding for scholarships to the College of Europe.
It comes after former MP and MEP Alyn Smith outlined that without necessary funding from government, the costs of studying at the College would deter many students from attending. Along with students from the College, Smith argued that this would hamper Scotland’s talent pool.
In 2010, the Conservative UK Government cut funding of 28 places to two. Currently, only civil servants get UK Government funding to study at the college.
The Scottish Government maintained funding for three places a year but there are now fears that these scholarships face being scrapped.
The Scottish Student Awards Agency (SSAA) is proposing to stop providing bursaries for students based in Scotland. Tuition fees and boarding are between €27,000 to €29,000.
The college provides post-graduate education and training for students, with many going on to be senior civil servants at the European Commission or be elected to the European Parliament.
Others have went on to become specialists in areas like trade, environmental law and foreign and defence policy with governments across Europe and with international organisations globally.
College of Europe graduates can be found in bodies like the Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation, NATO, the UN, the World Bank, and holding senior posts in leading private sector businesses.
Chair of the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS), David Clarke, urged the Scottish Government "to think again" about withdrawing the bursaries, adding that the move would be "bad for trade, bad for business, bad for our universities and for our international relations".
“This is a world class training ground for the brightest and the best. Cutting our ties with the College will be another great blow to our talented young people and have a lasting negative impact on Scotland's relationship with the EU for decades to come," Clarke said.
"That's bad for trade, bad for business, bad our universities and for our international relations. And bad for our ties of democracy, culture and friendship.”
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
