22/04/2016

25% Rise In international Students Coming To Ireland

The number of international students studying in Ireland has increased by 25% since 2012, it has been revealed by the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan.

Minister O'Sullivan attended the annual ceremony for International Student Ambassadors at Farmleigh yesterday, 21 April, which recognises the contribution made by international Student Ambassadors to supporting the work of education in Ireland.

Now in its fifth year, the Student Ambassador Programme is a key element in the promotion of Ireland as a centre of excellence in international education. 75 students from Canada, Chile, Brazil, Russia, China, India, Germany, Malaysia, Nigeria and USA, studying at 23 higher education institutes across the country, are actively promoting Ireland as a destination of choice for third level education.

Presenting the Student Ambassadors with Certificates of Recognition, Minister O'Sullivan, said: "I want to thank you for choosing to study in Ireland, and for sharing your experience with your peers around the world. I congratulate each of you and wish you well in your future studies and the careers you choose. We hope that you will stay in touch long after your study here is complete. We will watch with pride as you, our international sons and daughters, make your way through life."

Giles O'Neill, Head of Education at Enterprise Ireland added: "Enterprise Ireland estimates that the international student sector is worth over €1 billion a year to the Irish economy. Since 2012, we have seen an increase of 25% in the number of international students choosing to study in Ireland. This success is in no small part due to our international Student Ambassadors who are virtually connecting with their peers and prospective students around the world, actively encouraging them to study in Ireland".

(MH/LM)

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