Scotland wants to attract immigrants

First Minister Jack McConnell has pledged to use a Commonwealth education conference in Edinburgh to encourage more people from overseas to settle in Scotland and halt the nation's population decline.

Leading politicians and officials from 48 countries will take part in the 15th Conference of Commonwealth Ministers (CCM) in the capital over the next week.

The aim of the event is to share educational expertise and improve links between Commonwealth nations.

Mr McConnell, who will address the conference on Tuesday morning, said it was "the biggest and most significant ministerial event to take place in Scotland since devolution".

He said it was also a fantastic opportunity to showcase what Scotland has to offer to those overseas.

He said: "We have something like 10,000 Commonwealth students based in Scotland this year as well as others on distance learning programmes.

"The numbers are huge and that has a big impact on our economy and could have an impact on reversing population decline."

The First Minister added: "We want Scotland to be a first port of call for more and more students from overseas who are looking to have a top quality higher education.

"I want those students educated in Scotland or by Scotland to be friends of Scotland, whether they stay here or return to their country of origin."

Mr McConnell said Scotland's universities were competing for students on an international basis due to the rapidly expanding education systems of countries such as China.

And he said Scotland's centuries-old educational tradition needed to be exploited to ensure foreign students continue to be attracted to this country.

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