Rationale
The UK and most of its counterparts fully realise the key role that science and technology play in creating competitive advantage in the global economy. Scientific and engineering research has become a truly global activity. The UK is no exception in recognising that the strength and success of the research base depends on the quality of its research students including, since there is no monopoly on scientific ability, the brightest research talent which can be attracted from overseas.
Students are attracted to undertake research in other countries by a combination of factors including: the quality of the research facilities; financial support available; and the academic quality of particular research institutions. UK universities – and in particular the UK’s top-rated departments – possess this last attribute in abundance.
By attracting first-rate students to the UK, our science base will gain access to highly skilled people that are essential for us to compete in the global economy. This scheme has the potential to make an important contribution in three key areas:
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to provide the UK’s best universities, and consequently the UK science base, with access to a pool of first-rate students with a variety of outlooks
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to improve the profile of the UK as an outward-looking, technologically-advanced country
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to help to equip developing countries with a pool of highly skilled people who can make a significant difference to the pace of development of those countries
It is clearly in our national interest to help developing countries raise their levels of excellence in science and technology, to assist in fighting diseases such as AIDS, improving their agricultural production, establishing new innovative industries and generally raising their standard of living.