Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced the five projects that are set to receive £941,000 of Scottish Government funding to promote international lifelong learning.

It is hoped the funding will help promote Scotland's colleges and universities at a world level, as well as providing learning opportunities for students and staff.

Hyslop commented: "In the present economic climate, it is even more important that the Scottish Government should create a smarter, fairer Scotland with opportunities for everyone to flourish. Lifelong learning has a key part to play in that, offering benefits for individuals, our colleges and universities, and industry.

"Scotland's education system is one of our competitive advantages and at a time when the brightest and best will be more discerning about where they study, promoting Scotland becomes even more important. 

"This new fund will support our work to promote international lifelong learning by increasing the capacity of our colleges and universities to attract and retain students and high calibre staff from across the globe, while improving opportunities for students and staff from Scotland to develop their skills and experience overseas."

The director of British Council Scotland and chair of the International Lifelong Learning Coordinating Group, Roy Cross, said the Strategic Investment Fund was a "fantastic opportunity".

"This funding will add value through additional national activities to the core activities of partner organisations which are already taking forward the strategy. The coordinating group envisages that these initiatives will help promote an identity and image of Scotland as an excellent place in which to live, learn, visit, work, do business and invest".

The successful bidders include the Scottish Universities International Group, the National Union of Students in Scotland, the University of the West of Scotland, Scotland's Colleges International, and the Glasgow Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.