CSCSE (Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange): In short term, exchange rates will influence the number of Irish Students who study in China? Going up or down? Or you think of any other influence?
Mr. Daclan Kelleher:Exchange rate fluctuations and other factors are really short term issues. There are much more important developments which will lead to growth in numbers of Irish students studying in China in the medium and long term. Chinese language and Chinese studies are becoming increasingly popular choices for Irish students, and there are a number of Chinese studies centres in Irish higher education institutions. Irish and Chinese universities and colleges are forging ahead with co-operation - developing joint degree programmes, undertaking joint research and encouraging student and staff exchanges. These developments are supported by the two Governments and their agencies and will lead to increasing numbers of Irish students choosing to study in China.
CSCSE: In long term, what do you think the influence on Irish students who are going to study or already study in China? How long the influence will maintain, one year, five years, or even longer?
Mr. Daclan Kelleher:The influence of China on Irish students who study there won’t be for the short term - a year or two years. The influence will last a lifetime. There are few experiences that change a person's outlook more profoundly than studying in another country - students are immersed in the language, in the culture and the way of life. The Irish Government recognises this and that is why we are encouraging links between our two countries - we think there are few better ways to improve awareness, to develop links and to stimulate trade in the long term than through exchanges between our young people and links between our educational institutions.
CSCSE: What is your advice to Chinese students who are ready to or already Study in Ireland?
Mr. Daclan Kelleher:Ireland as a range of advantages as a destination for study:
· We are an English speaking country in the European Union.
· We have one of the best education systems in the world, and one which is closely linked to business and the economy.
· We have one of the world’s most open and advanced economies, and we’re home to over a thousand global companies.
We also have a number of positive advantages in terms of quality of life for students:
· Ireland is a very safe and comfortable country;
· We are renowned for our friendliness and our welcome;
· We value family and social connections – our institutions make arrangements so that Chinese students can meet Irish and international students, while still keeping in touch with their own culture and people;
Ireland's long tradition in educational excellence at primary, second-level and higher education levels is recognised across the world and Irish governments have continued to invest in the quality of our education system over many years. Irish education performs strongly in international comparisons such as OECD evaluations and EU benchmarks.
Higher Education in Ireland is provided through seven universities, fourteen institutes of technology, and a number of private independent colleges. The universities and institutes of technology are autonomous and self-governing, but are substantially Government-funded. A list of providers of higher education in Ireland can be found on the Irish Education Ministry’s website at www.education.ie
Our universities, institutes and colleges have established joint programmes and research links with institutions in other countries, including many in China. Our campuses also now have more international students than ever before. In 2007, there were over 25,000 international students, included about 3,600 Chinese students, the second biggest grouping after the USA. Many international students are studying at postgraduate levels and we regard this as a very positive development.
We would also suggest that such students contact the course director to establish what they need to do to best prepare for study in Ireland. All universities and colleges offer advice and practical assistance to international students to help alleviate this possible initial difficulty.
Tuition costs vary by discipline and level of study for international students studying in Ireland. Many courses cost between 90,000 and 140,000 Yuan (pronounced YOO- ANNE) annually, although courses for medical professions may cost about 200,000 Yuan.
Living expenses also depend on the location of the higher education institution and on the type of accommodation preferred by the student. On average we estimate that a student will spend between 70,000 and 110,000 Yuan per year on living expenses depending on location and lifestyle.
There are a number of possible financial aids available to Chinese students who wish to study in Ireland. Ireland’s Higher Education Authority has a website which offers advice on how to finance studying in Ireland. It can be found at: www.studentfinance.ie
The China-Ireland Research Collaboration Fund, which is operated by Science Foundation Ireland, provides for exchanges of leading researchers at third level institutions in Ireland and China working in Biotechnology and Information and Communications Technology.
Many of the individual colleges in Ireland have scholarships available for Chinese students. For example, there are scholarships for students on undergraduate courses such as engineering, computing, hospitality management, international business and agricultural science in a number of the higher education institutions. Details of these can be found on the websites of the Irish institutions
Chinese students are allowed to work part-time while they study in Ireland - up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during vacation. Most international students avail of the opportunity to support themselves by working – whether on campus - as research and teaching assistants or in college libraries - or off campus in private companies.
There are a number of specific Government policies which make things easier for Chinese students. For example, our two countries have an agreement on mutual recognition of qualifications, which means that a degree obtained from an Irish educational institution will be accepted back home in China.
CSCSE: What you think both Irish and Chinese educational institutions could cooperate to make situation better, and to help students overcome the difficulty when they study abroad?
Mr. Daclan Kelleher:Irish education institutions will continue to focus on developing their partnerships with Chinese institutions. The Irish Government is supportive of such trends.
Continued cooperation between the Irish and Chinese educational institutions will help alleviate such difficulties.
The Irish Government has been working very hard to make it easier and quicker for Chinese students to apply for visas.
In particular, we have opened up a visa office in the Irish Embassy, which has made a huge difference to the speed and quality of service. We are also moving to an online application system, which should make the application procedures even easier.
The Irish Government is constantly looking at ways to make it easier and quicker to obtain visas to study in Ireland. The Government is currently looking at a range of new policies to continue to ensure that international students have a high quality experience while studying in Ireland. |