Ireland is aiming to double the number of Indian students studying in the country in three years, said its minister for higher education and skills, Ciaran Cannon T.D., on November 23. Addressing a symposium in Bangalore, Cannon said there are around 850 Indian students currently studying in Ireland for post-graduate degrees in engineering, pharma, business, computer sciences, accounting and hospitality management. “We want to double the number of Indian students studying with us by 2015”, he said. “And we are confident that we are building a significant momentum towards that goal”.
According to Irish officials, it is estimated that every 100 additional international students who come to Ireland support the creation of 15 local jobs, through spending on tuition, accommodation and other living expenses.
Cannon said “India is recognised as having some of the most talented and hard-working students in the world and our top-class Higher Education Institutions (HIEs) can provide an excellent education and also provide significant opportunities for career advancement in areas such as IT and Life Sciences”.