Investing in Global Relationships:
Ireland’s International Education Strategy
2010 - 2015
Presentation to
Information Day on Irish International Education Strategy
& European Programmes
22nd February 2011
OUTLINE
1. Introduction
2. Vision
3. Objectives and Targets
4. Ten strategic Actions
5. Statistics & Conclusion
2
Introduction
• Ireland as a small, open European economy relies on
international engagement
• An internationalised education system has a crucial role to
play in our international profile and attractiveness
• In context of national strategy for economic renewal, the
government established High level Group on international
education in 2010 to:
– Develop a national strategy
– Co-ordinate a national approach
• Report Investing in Global Relationships: Ireland's
International Education Strategy 2010-2015 published
September 2010
3
Vision
• The most compelling rationale for internationalisation is
investment in future global relationships with
– Students educated in Ireland – our future advocates overseas
– Educational institutions – our teaching and research partners
– Countries – our business and trading partners
• Internationalisation enhances the quality of learning,
teaching and research
• And will contribute to Ireland ambition to become “a global
innovation hub”
4
Vision
• International students need high-quality education,
integration with local students & a great experience
– Within context of ambitious targets for local student access and access
for non-traditional learners
– Demands collaboration between institutions and agencies &
– Expansion of the education system
• A long-term & sustainable process, based on high-quality
engagement with international partners
• Recognition that the European dimension is crucial to Irish
education and commitment to active participation in the EU
programmes
5
Objectives
Primary Objective:
“Ireland will become internationally recognised and
ranked as a world leader in the delivery of highquality international education by providing a
unique experience and long-term value to students”
6
Objectives and Targets to 2015
• Increase:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Total international HE students 50% by >12,000 to 38,000
Full-time int’l HE students 50% by 8,500 to 25,500
Int’l students doing advanced research by 50% to 3,800
Taught postgraduate int’l students from 13% to 20% to 5,100
Exchange and JYA from outside EEA to 6,000 from 3,600
English-language students by 25% to 120,000
Offshore students by 50% to 4,500
Economic impact by €300 m to €1.2 bn
• Strengthen institutional links with priority partnercountries
• Increase outward staff and student mobility
7
Ten Strategic Actions (1)
• Partnership and collaboration – greater collaboration within &
between government, HE sector and English language sector, coordinated
by High Level Group, with 4 Working Groups:
– Implementation, market development & access (Chair: DES)
– Sectoral Development (Chair: HEA)
– Quality Assurance and Student Experience (Chair: NQAI/QQAI)
– Branding and Promotion (Chair: Enterprise Ireland)
Monitoring & Benchmarking – HEA & EI to develop database & Annual Report
•
•
•
•
•
Renew Education Ireland Brand and strengthen marketing
Quality – Quals & QA Bill, Quality mark, Code of Practice
Strengthened immigration and visa regime
Comprehensive HEI internationalisation strategies
Develop relevant international education offerings, based on
HEI capacity and student needs
8
Ten Strategic Actions (2)
• Consistent & supportive government policies and actions
– High Level Group as key mechanism
– Small Strategic Fund
– Three new Scholarship programmes:
The Government of Ireland International Scholarships
The New Frontiers Programme
The Government of Ireland English Language Educators Scholarship
• Strengthen networks of influence – alumni associations and
contacts; HEI’s with embassy & EI support
• Outward mobility by staff and students – part of HEI’s strategic
plans
• North-South and EU co-operation
9
International HE Students in Ireland 2009/10
Country
USA
China (+HK)
France
UK & Northern Ireland
Germany
Spain
Malaysia
India
Canada
Italy
Nigeria
Poland
…….
Sweden
Not Specified
Other countries
2009/10
4467
3355
2068
1512
1450
1187
1094
1125
710
674
618
512
…
143
1033
3408
25781
2006/7
4408
3573
1536
1992
1431
1395
1289
1094
500
1253
482
539
…
126
984
2955
26295
10
International Students in Ireland 2009/10
Chart 3: International Students ~ Subject Choices
Humanities & related, 30%
,1
re
lat
ed
Jo
ur
na
li s
m
La
w,
2%
&
lity
/To
pit
a
Ho
s
So
cia
lS
cie
nc
e
ur
is
&
m,
3
%
re
lat
e
6%
d,
3%
e/
IT
En
gin
ee
r in
g,
cie
nc
er
S
Co
mp
ut
Sc
ien
c
e,
8%
Me
dic
a
,6
%
l&
re
la
ted
,1
3%
Business & related, 28%
Source: Education Ireland 2010. Off-shore students not included
11
Number of incoming/outgoing Erasmus Students for Ireland
Outgoing vs. Incoming Erasmus Student Mobility for Ireland
2000/01 to 2008/09
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
Outgoing
Incoming
2,000
1,000
0
2000/01
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
(Study +
Placement)
2008/09
(Study +
Placement)
12
Outgoing vs. Incoming Erasmus Teacher Mobility for Ireland
2000/01 to 2008/09
Number of incoming/outgoing Erasmus Teachers for Ireland
450
400
350
300
250
Outgoing
200
Incoming
150
100
50
0
2000/01
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
13
Conclusion
•Strategy on International Education comes as part of wider
response to need for economic renewal in Ireland
•Focus is on Ireland's international relationships, particularly
on international student mobility and on educational links
with future long-term trading partners
Nevertheless
•There is recognition of the wider perspectives of the
internationalisation process, including collaborative
institutional and research links, internationalisation of
curricula and engagement in multilateral initiatives, such as
the Bologna process.
•There is also recognition that the European dimension is
crucial to the Irish education system and an active ongoing
commitment to the EU programmes.
14
Investing in Global Relationships:
Ireland’s International Education Strategy
2010 - 2015
Presentation to
Information Day on Irish International Education Strategy
& European Programmes
22nd February 2011