College’s International Work Recognised at Government Committee

Elmwood College international activities featured heavily in discussions at a recent meeting of the Scottish Government’s European and External Relations Committee, where the Scottish Government’s China Plan was on the agenda.  The China Plan sets out Government's aims and aspirations for its engagement with China with a view to maximising trade, increasing tourism and boosting inward investment.

Representatives from Colleges, Universities, the British Council, MSPs, Scottish Arts Council, the Confucius Institute and the Scottish Qualifications Authority debated the China Plan, focusing on its effectiveness for various stakeholders.

MSP Ted Brocklebank spoke of his high regard for Elmwood College saying, “Elmwood’s China Scotland partnership has been successful and has spread out into the local community, as the students have taken local jobs to help to pay their way. The programme seems to be growing and expanding, and has involved the Royal and Ancient Golf Club who have sponsored the College’s work in delivering golf education in China. It is a fascinating area for the Chinese and there is a huge golf industry already in operation in China with large numbers of staff looking for relevant qualifications and training.”

Support for the College’s international activities also came from Michelle Grimley of Scotland’s Colleges International who said, “Elmwood College's work on golf is a fantastic model.”

Over the past nine years Elmwood has been at the heart of golf education in China, working with eight partner universities to develop golf education and training programmes with a view to providing quality staff for the ever expanding golf industry in China.

The Colleges International programme, funded by the R&A, is now focussing on creating a more practical, vocational system of education and training, which will involve working closely with golf clubs across China.   Staff from the College have just returned from a visit to China where they were investigating the establishment of vocational training centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Hainan, as well as meeting with existing education partners.

College Principal, Jim Crooks commented, "The China Scotland Partnership was originated by Elmwood College over 8 years ago and we have a head start in engagement with China in our specialist niche areas of golf education. We are putting that expertise and making most use of our networks to best use within the framework of the Government's China plan. We hosted an event for the Cabinet Secretary in Beijing in April and she witnessed an agreement between Elmwood and local business people to develop more facilities and programmes in China. We see a long-term future for Elmwood in this country and the plan will certainly add fresh impetus to our own efforts. Having won various awards for our work in China, we are glad to be recognized for the work we continue to do and to have the additional support of the Scottish Government."

The College is currently working to extend its international activities in India.  Carol Borthwick, Director of Golf and International Affairs, has recently returned from a visit to the Asia Golf Industry Conference and Exhibition in Delhi for golf course superintendents, where she spoke on the importance of education for Greenkeepers and Superintendents.

During her visit, Carol also met with the Indian Golf Superintendents and Golf Managers association and the Indian Golf Union for discussions on Elmwood developing an education programme for use in India, with the support of the R&A.