Finian McGrath
Question:111 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update in response to the internationalisation of higher education and plans for the future. [10228/12]
View answerWednesday, 22 February 2012
Questions (111)
Written answers
The Government is strongly committed to promoting Ireland as a centre for international education. The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious target of doubling international student numbers over the coming five years, through full implementation of the international education strategy, Investing in Global Relationships. It is also identified in the Action Plan for Jobs as a crucial sector for growth.
The High Level Group on International Education, which is chaired by my Department, meets on a quarterly basis and brings together the main Departments and agencies together with the education sector to co-ordinate national policy and efforts in this area.
In the past 12 months, we have taken a number of specific initiatives to promote the internationalisation of higher education, including:
The launch of a new international brand and marketing campaign for Irish education, Education in Ireland, managed by Enterprise Ireland. This new brand has been rolled out in a number of key markets, including the USA, China and Russia.
The development of agreed priority markets by the High Level Group on International Education and the development of market-specific plans.
The roll-out of market-specific initiatives, such as a trusted agents programme in India, which will rolled-out in other markets.
Ministerial level visits to strategic markets including the USA, Malaysia and Singapore and official level visits to India and Russia.
The coming period will see a targeted focus on our priority markets. This will include Ministerial-led education missions to China and India and other visits to key partners in the Gulf and Latin America. Inward visits will also be hosted from major partners in South East Asia and the Gulf.
I will also be launching an international scholarship scheme to target high-performing students in our key markets, with a view to significantly raising Ireland's profile.