International Skills and Innovation at UWS

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is dedicated to equipping learners and professionals across the globe with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. Our International Skills and Innovation programmes are designed to foster cross-cultural collaboration, support lifelong learning, and drive economic growth in diverse international contexts.

We aim to deliver impactful training and innovative solutions to meet the needs of individuals, industries, and communities worldwide. By combining our academic excellence with practical experience, we enable participants to address local and global challenges effectively and sustainably.

Our international activities are firmly aligned with the UWS Strategy 2025. Our international work, including skills development, knowledge exchange, and partnerships, contributes directly to our strategic goals by expanding our reach beyond Scotland to have a global impact.

International Training Framework

We work closely with partners across the globe, including government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses, to ensure our training programmes are tailored to the specific needs of each region.

SAFEA Partnership in China

UWS became the first organisation in Scotland to be accredited by China’s State Administration for Foreign Expert Affairs (SAFEA). This accreditation enabled UWS to deliver high-quality training to Chinese professionals, providing expertise in various sectors such as urban planning, construction, public administration, finance, human resources, artificial intelligence, and digital engineering.

The partnership began with a pilot course for Hainan University in 2016. It expanded rapidly in 2019, resulting in over 23 courses being delivered to nearly 500 delegates, including representatives from the Ministry of Development, the World Bank in China, and several provincial authorities.

This collaboration was recognised for its quality and impact, with a satisfaction score of 100% for the first training session and an average evaluation score of 96% across all courses. It also brought 1.2 million GBP to the economy.

Check out this newspaper article for more information on our SAFEA partnership achievement. 

International Innovation Collaboration

We also engage in numerous international innovation initiatives that drive collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and development. Our recent innovation-focused collaborations have included:

Zhejiang Innovation Base (ZIB)

The Zhejiang Innovation Base (ZIB) is a key part of UWS's ongoing collaboration with China, focusing on driving Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) innovation and fostering international partnerships.

Established in partnership with the Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Cooperation Centre, ZIB serves as a hub for supporting Scottish and Chinese SMEs through joint innovation initiatives and knowledge exchange.

One of the primary goals of ZIB is to create opportunities for business matchmaking and support international business development through UWS's Innovation Creation Approach. The focus on SME growth mirrors Scotland's economic development priorities and helps build a bridge between the two regions, ensuring mutual growth and benefit.

ZIB also emphasises the importance of research collaboration, connecting Scottish companies with local Chinese partners to foster innovation and knowledge sharing. The base not only supports economic development but also enhances cultural understanding and cooperation, further positioning UWS as a pioneer in international business and educational partnerships.

Recognised achievements

  • Showcased in the Scottish Funding Council's Outcome Agreement Achievement Report (PDF), College and University Case Studies 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024, highlighting our impactful work, including collaborations like the SAFEA partnership.
  • Shortlisted for the CBBC China-Scotland Business Awards 2021 under Award for Educational Partnership of the Year, recognising our educational partnerships and international collaboration, particularly through the SAFEA partnership.
  • Won the CBBC China-Scotland Business Award for Climate Action in 2023, recognising our leadership in sustainability initiatives.
  • Shortlisted for the Dragon Award for Pioneering Spirit in 2024, celebrating our Sino-Scottish collaboration and innovation through established four key innovation bases in China (Zhejiang, Shandong, Phoenix, and Hainan), focusing on areas such as SME growth, elder care, digital media, and cultural exchange.

International partners

UWS is proud to work with a diverse range of international partners who help us expand our reach and impact across the globe. Our international partners include organisations from:

  • China
  • Brazil: Collaborating on research, student exchange, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
  • India: Partnering in areas of technology, innovation, and skills development.
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE): Engaging in training programmes and academic collaborations to support regional growth.
  • France: Building research and educational partnerships to foster innovation and exchange.
  • Pakistan: Supporting capacity building and professional development initiatives through structured (Continuing Professional Development) CPD programmes.

Get involved

Whether you are an individual looking to advance your skills, an organisation seeking customised training, or a partner interested in collaboration, UWS is ready to support your journey. Together, we can build a future that is innovative, inclusive, and globally connected.

For more information, please get in touch with our International Skills and Innovation team: 

Last updated: 07/01/2025