Currently there are 32,000 plus international students from more than 150 countries who are pursuing their higher studies in Ireland.  The diverse and refreshing learning environment offered at Irish HEIs which is complemented by the safety and welcoming feeling of Ireland makes it an ideal study abroad destination for many international students. Irish cities of Galway and Dublin are constantly ranked amongst the friendliest countries in the world which makes higher education in Ireland an even more appealing option for international students.  The government of the country also plays an active role in making Ireland a prime and comfortable study abroad destination for international students. The fact that during the pandemic, the Irish government not only supported their international students with healthcare aid but even offered a weekly compensation for those international students who lost their part time jobs owing to covid19 highlights the efforts put in by the government in helping foreign students in their country.       

The Global Appeal

There are plethora of facets that make Ireland an attractive study abroad destination including the fact that following Brexit, Ireland is the only majority English speaking country in the EU. Being an English speaking country has offered a huge advantage to Ireland as it puts them in pole position for attracting more international students.  Also, with over 20 world class institutions offering 5000 plus courses, students will have the option to choose one which suits them the best. The universities in the country are ranked amongst the top 5 percent in the world which further showcases the quality of education imparted in Irish HEIs. Students have the option to choose between myriad of long-standing educational institutions and emerging campuses both of which have a charm and appeal of their own.   

Cost is another major deciding factor when it comes to choosing a higher education destination and Ireland has some of the most cost-effective academic options for international students. Even though, the tuition fees and living expenses will vary depending on the institution and program you opt for, one can find more than a hundred scholarships for international students in Ireland.  The employability rate in many HEIs in the country is also impressive with more than 85 percent of their students finding employment. This impressive stat can also be attributed to the myriad of global organizations like Google, Microsoft, Facebook etc. operating out of Ireland which makes for a highly employee-friendly job market.  Now, let’s analyze how the Irish government and higher educational institutions are trying to expand their presence in the ever-evolving and highly competitive international higher education realm.     

The Hands-on Approach

Moving to a different country for your higher studies is a great experience but at the same time, transitioning to the new surroundings and campus life might be a challenge for students. Ensuring the smooth transition of Indian students to Ireland and their wellbeing is a top priority for the Irish government. Education in Ireland with the Embassy of Ireland and Visa Office New Delhi, did organize a pre-departure briefing for the students recently. These in-person briefings were held in Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai and it was for the Indian students of the 2022-23 academic year. Representatives from Irish HEIs were joined by the visa and government officials to provide important information to the students. This also included information regarding different accommodation options. Ireland’s Ambassador to India, Brendan Ward said, “In order to be more accessible for Indians, a number of Ireland’s higher education institutions have been very active in India and have invested in an on-ground presence”. This hands-on approach made by the Irish government and HEIs have shown results with the number of Indian students going to Ireland to pursue their higher education increasing 10 percent every year.          

The New International Education Strategy

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland, Simon Harris recently published a report. It was about the country’s international education strategy and it examined Ireland’s strategy from 2016 to 2020. The next strategy will be about the goals and objectives of the country to 2025 and it will play a crucial role in the recovery of the country’s ERI sectors after covid19. The Minister also stated that he wants to see Irish educational institutions increase their reputation and welcome a more diverse student population. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science or DFHERIS is a department of the Government of Ireland and policy makers as well as educators in Ireland has high hopes for entity as it has the potential to bring together international education strategy as well as research and innovation.       

The new international education strategy of Ireland will be formulated in collaboration with all the different stakeholders and DFHERIS has identified multiple strategic priorities for the new education strategy. This includes: improving the role of higher education and research in supporting Ireland’s crucial external relationships, supporting the ‘share island’ policy in enhancing research and education collaboration across the island, strengthening the country’s position as a global innovation hub, and creating environmentally sustainable approaches for internationalization to name a few.    

Learner-centric education is also a top priority for Irish HEIs going forward. Many of the institutions in the country acknowledge the importance of student-centricity and creating a flexible and individualized model of education for the learners. Another aspect that many HEIs in the country should aim for is to view the students as co-creators of knowledge which will help in enhancing the quality of education even more. The collaboration between HEIs across the island should also be a top priority as this will create a more informed and inclusive learning environment for the students.