Sandison, deputy vice-chancellor (external engagement) and vice-principal (external relations) at the University of Glasgow has been appointed the Scottish government’s trade and investment envoy for international education.
As part of her new remit, Sandison will work to promote Scotland’s academic institutions and research expertise and draw on her international connections to bridge universities with other global institutions to attract more students and staff to live, work and study in Scotland.
“I look forward to working with the Scottish government alongside colleagues across the further and higher education sector in Scotland to support the development and delivery of the next iteration of Scotland’s International Education Strategy,” Sandison told The PIE News.
In 2024, the Scottish government unveiled its first comprehensive International Education Strategy, promising plans to attract more staff and activity to promote universities and colleges internationally.
Sandison also explained that ensuring the needs of Scotland are represented in the UK’s International Education Strategy will be a primary objective for her.
“I look forward to engaging with the UK’s international education champion, Sir Steve Smith, to advocate for policies that support the sector to flourish,” she said.
Elsewhere, Sandison will be looking to further advance the Destination Scotland brand assets to support collective stakeholder engagement and help connect institutions with transnational education and international partnership opportunities, championing the sector both at home and overseas.
“As a result of the changing external landscape, this is a challenging time for the higher education sector as a whole, but there remain a number of key opportunities that I want to ensure Scotland is best placed to capitalise on,” said Sandison.
This is a challenging time for the higher education sector as a whole, but there remain a number of key opportunities that I want to ensure Scotland is best placed to capitalise on
Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow
Recent IDP data shared with Scottish universities during the 2025 Scottish Universities International Group conference showed significant year-on-year declines in student numbers from key markets, with stakeholders encouraged to take “collective action” to promote the study destination as both headwinds and tailwinds continue to shape the future of international recruitment.
Sandison’s appointment will also see her help identify opportunities for inward investment in Scotland’s higher and further education sectors, boosting the country’s academic and research capabilities.
Sandison takes up her position alongside eight other trade and investment envoys. The role succeeds the envoy for international higher education, a post held by Wendy Alexander from 2017 to 2025. Alexander now serves as vice-chair of the British Council and was formerly vice-principal (international) at the University of Dundee.
The announcement was made by Richard Lochhead MSP, minister for business ahead of a visit to the UK-China Low-Carbon College in Shanghai, which is a joint initiative between Edinburgh and Shanghai Jiao Tong universities, seeking innovative solutions to climate issues.
Lochhead commented: “Scotland’s research and academic excellence is recognised the world over, with innovative contributions being made to tackle severe global challenges.
“We want to support this work while maximising the social and economic benefits of international education. Attracting students from across the world presents real long-term benefits across many sectors, such as tourism, culture, higher and further education,” he said.
“This appointment, coupled with our International Education Strategy, will help us capture these opportunities and I wholeheartedly welcome Rachel to her role.”
Sandison emphasised that Scotland is already a destination of choice for global talent, with world-class universities and a longstanding reputation for research excellence.
“International students make up a quarter of our total student population and approximately 40% of our academic staff come from outside of the UK,” she explained.
“The Scottish education sector has a history of both tradition and innovation. We balance a high quality learning, teaching and research environment with one that is open, friendly and welcoming. We recognise the huge contribution international students and colleagues make to our campuses and wider communities and we are committed to supporting their academic and career journey.”
In 2024, the Scottish government launched ‘Scotland’s Migration Service‘, which seeks to provide additional guidance and advice for international students wishing to remain in the country to work post-graduation and to employers who want to recruit global talent.
“In addition to the diversity of the programs and institutions on offer, Scotland also blends vibrant, multicultural cities with some of the most beautiful countryside in the world,” said Sandison.
“As our most recent campaign extolled, Scotland is for the head, the heart and the spirit.”
