Ireland Seeks Deeper Collaboration with India in Trade and Education
Ireland's Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, James Lawless, stated that the two countries would deepen their bilateral relationship, particularly in the areas of trade, education, and research.
On his inaugural official trip to India, Lawless highlighted the growing partnership between India and Ireland, while also reaffirming Ireland's place as a preferred option for Indian students seeking to study abroad.
Lawless mentioned that during his visit to IIT Delhi, he had an intriguing chat with the team. "Ireland has become a preferred destination for Indian students pursuing higher education, with Indians forming the largest international student community in the country," he said to IANS. "Ireland is working on new agreements and initiatives with Indian universities and research institutions, particularly in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, and digital transformation," he added.
The Irish government has committed to advancing educational collaboration by launching new scholarships and scholarship programs for Indian students. Lawless also pointed to growing collaboration between India and Ireland in research and innovation and expressed optimism in advancing scientific collaborations.
Concerning workforce development, Lawless expressed that India is a key partner for Ireland, especially around STEM. With the planet looking for skilled workers, Ireland believes India is not just a critical resource for skilled human capital.
Lawless went on to explain India-Ireland bilateral trade is now at $16 billion, with lots of potential to reach considerably more - this underpins India's positioning as a vital player in Ireland's educational and educational landscape.
Looking ahead, Lawless expressed confidence in strengthening India-Ireland cooperation in higher education and research. During his visit, he plans to engage with representatives from various Indian higher education institutions to explore new collaborative opportunities.
