The strategy, deemed a “moderate growth strategy,” aspires to boost the number of overseas higher education students by 10 percent, with a specific focus on attracting top-tier PhD students for research and innovation projects in Ireland.
The strategy, deemed a “moderate growth strategy,” aspires to boost the number of overseas higher education students by 10 percent, with a specific focus on attracting top-tier PhD students for research and innovation projects in Ireland.
The Irish Government has launched “Global Citizens 2030,” marking Ireland’s inaugural international talent and innovation strategy.
The plan is set to draw in thousands of high-caliber students and researchers from around the world over the next decade, the Irish Times reported.
The strategy, deemed a “moderate growth strategy,” aspires to boost the number of overseas higher education students by 10 percent, with a specific focus on attracting top-tier PhD students for research and innovation projects in Ireland,
Challenges, acknowledgements
However, the plan acknowledges challenges, including limited accommodation, a surge in domestic student numbers, and concerns about the cost of living.
As part of Global Citizens 2030, Ireland vows to introduce a new international quality mark for English language schools, addressing past controversies surrounding poor standards and closures that left students financially affected.
The strategy further outlines initiatives such as the development of academic exchange programs, enhanced collaboration with universities in Britain and the EU, and the deployment of “talent and innovation attachés” to key global locations.
Possible locations for these attachés include the east and west coasts of the US, major EU capitals, London, Asia, the Middle East, and other strategic locations.
Currently, Ireland hosts around 35,000 international students in higher education and an additional 25,000 in English language schools, contributing an estimated €2 billion (approximately $2.17 billion) to the country’s economy.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris emphasized the goal of making Ireland a “first choice” destination for international learners, researchers, and innovators.
He sees the strategy as a testament to Ireland’s commitment to remaining a global, diverse society, providing hope and educational opportunities.
“We want to attract the best generation of international learners, researchers and innovators to Ireland. That brings significant benefits for our economy, but also our society,” he said.
“It helps us address the skills needs we have but also helps open opportunities through diversifying our education communities,” Harris said.
Ireland’s position as a global education hub
The blueprint highlighted Ireland’s consistently top-ranked universities and leadership in various research fields, positioning the country as an attractive destination for global talent.
“Ireland has an opportunity to be a first-choice destination for international learners, researchers and innovators,” it stated. ”It offers the unique value proposition of a multicultural, diverse, inclusive and culturally rich learning experience in a country which has a native English-speaking society, an advanced economy and is a committed and influential member of the European Union.”
However, it also acknowledges challenges such as responding to domestic demographic shifts, transitioning to low-carbon campuses, ensuring accommodation availability, addressing skills needs, and managing cost-of-living concerns.
Additionally, Global Citizens 2030 aims to strengthen collaboration with Northern Ireland through cross-border apprenticeships, shared skills forecasting models, and joint programs. The plan includes new mobility and exchange schemes between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the rest of the United Kingdom.
To instill confidence in the quality of education, a new international education mark will be introduced, authorized by the State education standards watchdog, Quality and Qualifications Ireland. This mark will certify providers meeting standards for student experience, academic quality, and international student welfare.
The strategy also pledges increased support for Irish institutions participating in the “European University” initiative, fostering stronger ties with European universities and enabling learners to earn degrees across different EU institutions.
Int’l student landscape in Irish universities
In the last academic year, international student enrollment in Irish universities reached a new high, surpassing 35,000 students, making up around 14 percent of the total student population. This marks a 10 percent increase from the previous year, signaling a strong return of overseas students to pre-pandemic levels.
The Higher Education Authority released the data for 2022-2023, showing the United States as the leading source of internationally domiciled students, followed by India and China. New entrants to higher education increased by almost one percent, with over 1,000 additional students registering using the Leaving Cert.
Despite the overall student population decreasing by two percent to 256,785 students, full-time enrollments remained stable, and enrollments in PhD programs saw a five percent increase. However, enrollments in taught masters programs dropped by five percent, following a previous five percent increase during the pandemic.
Mature new entrants to higher education declined by almost 600, potentially due to a robust job market. Females now constitute 55 percent of the student population, up from 52 percent in 2016-2017.
The majority of students, around 60 percent, are pursuing honors degrees, with business, administration, and law being the most popular subject group (20 percent). In the graduating class of 2022, 40 percent graduated with honors degrees, and almost 24 percent of undergraduate honors degree graduates achieved a first-class degree.
